Discoveries:

1. A pleasure to hear Gregg Gelb playing in a small group: He led a combo Friday night at the new Triangle Youth Music Center in the rather quiet Cary Towne Mall, blending drummer Kobie Watkins with two Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble musicians. He promises more such gigs, giving TYJE musicians more chances to perform with experienced musicians. Good news!

2. You have to support Scott Sawyer's "Night Visions" recording: Beyond our just supporting one of our best local musicians, based on the live quartet performance Saturday night at Sharp Nine, this is a CD to buy. Make a choice on this website: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/scott-sawyer-night-visions?fbclid=IwAR2-NINILIi7Fuj-7q1sactQBNtCItWbcmYqodVeEwXQ2XOA8Bv9sH2rxwU#/

​This Week is one of those Usual Suspect, Dealer's Choice weeks, in which I haven't yet decided what to see, though I may be more drawn to Raleigh than usual...

Monday: Should I stay close & hit Griffanzo & Grewen at Imbibe 7p or the last Atomic Rhythm All-/Stars residency at Raleigh's Neptunes Parlour 8p?
Tuesday: The Jazzbeau Quartet at 2nd Wind 7:30p or the NCJRO at Sharp Nine 8p?
Thursday: Slide down to Raleigh to catch Frankie Alexander at Irregardless 6:30p &/or pianist Ed Paolantonio solo at Empress Room 7:30p?
Friday: Catch the Andrew Berinson duo at Sullivan's 5:30p &/or cross the street to C Grace for singer Lauren Meehan 9p?
Saturday: Sleep in my car in Raleigh overnight & then choose--or move between--singer Megan Causey & City Lights at Irrgardless &/or saxophonist John Troy at C Grace, both 9p?

• Discoveries: Having seen a lot of jazz over the last two weeks, the most enjoyable was vocalist Amy Hancock twice at the Empress Room with pianists, first with Ed Paolantonio, second with Jonathan Markow. She has a cabaret tone to her standard singing.

This Week: Pretty much Usual Suspects--who deserve attention​--until the weekend.

Monday

• Grewen & Griffanzo do their fun thing at Imbibe 7p.
• Atomic Rhythm All-Stars at Raleigh's Neptune's Parlour 8p. The best "hot jazz" group in our area!

Tuesday

• Brian Horton does his weekly gig at Kingfisher 9. Worth a late night.

Thursday

• The best jazz bar band in Carrboro--Yeaux Katz--at 2nd Wind 8p. Whether or not its appears on the schedule!

Friday = Tough Choice Night

• The Triangle Youth Music Center--at the Cary Town Mall next to Champs--presents Gregg Gelb, Kobie Watkins, & two Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble players 7:30p. I could go to one of the gigs below, but my heart's with young area players joining their elders.​
• The extravore pianist Marcus Roberts brings his Next Generation Band to NCSU's Center Stage 8p. If you don't go to the above or anything else, this band is great, led by an equally great pianist.
• Guitarist Baron Tymas joined by three of Peter Lamb's Wolves at Sharp Nine 8p. Another good choice.
• Vocalist Angela Bingham brings fine tunes to the Empress Room 9p. Normally I could be here.

Saturday

• ​Scott Sawyer's new CD pre-release show at Sharp Nine 7:30p sold out & 9:15p. He's our best local guitarist who's popular enough to sell out one show. So why not join him at the second?
• Durham's Hayti Cultural Center honors drummer Max Roach 8p.

Discoveries:

1. Am I becoming redundant? That question's been growing in my mind lately but was reinforced at the sold-out Sharp Nine Friday night. When I started this website & blog six years ago, the Beyu was starting to attract jazz audiences, Art of Cool was flourishing, & Sharp Nine/Durham Jazz Workshop was cranking up, with Irregardless, C Grace, & the Empress Room keeping up Raleigh's end. Bits & pieces have been added to that mix, contributing to a jazz scene where most folks have decided where they can find they want. So I'm not sure the community needs guidance on where to go (as shown by consistent sell-outs at S9) except for the few current residents who still don't know where to go, or the steady flow of newcomers seeking out the music. The latter validates my Duke/OLLI "Guide To Local Jazz" that serves both residents who want to know more & newcomers to the large OLLI community.

2. The NCCU Jazz Ensemble & Combos compete in the Jack Rudin Jazz Championship for the best university jazz bands in the country at Jazz At Lincoln Center next weekend: Go to https://www.jazz.org/media/live-webcasts/ to watch them compete. The broadcast schedule:

• The combo competition is broadcast Saturday 7p.
• Part I of big bands is Sunday 10a.
• Part II is Sunday 1:30p.
• Competition awards & final concert 7:30p.

3.  Guitarist James Gilmore just finished recording at CD: If he puts out a funding thing, please do contribute. He's a serious player.

This Week: It'll be a little more low key than 6 performances in 7 nights, but still good things to hear.

Monday

• Atomic Rhythm All-Stars continues its residency at Raleigh's Neptunes Parlour 8p. If I can find an accomplice, I may drive down to Raleigh yet again.
• There's a fine young NYC pianist--Isaiah J Thompson--on that Jazz At Lincoln Center link in Discoveries 7:30p. Heard him play at S9 two years ago. Well worth a listen.

Wednesday

• Jonathan Markow plays piano, Amy Hancock sings known & less-known standards at the Empress Room 7:30p. I will be there. Please do join me. It's a rare treat.

Thursday

• The ever-busy Al Strong does his thing at C Grace 9p. Another possibility depending on driving endurance.

Friday is a busy night (especially in Raleigh). Gosh, where should I go?

• An interesting combo at Irregardless: vocalist Dupresha Townsend 6:30p & the Peter Lamb Quintet 9p.
• The Django Fest first night at the Station 7p.
• Tenor player Shaquim Muldrow at Sharp Nine 8p.
• Griffanzo & Grewen shift to the Empress Room 9p. the Imbibe Vibe comes to Raleigh.
• While La Fiesta Latin Jazz heats up the downstairs C Grace 9p.

Saturday: Remember, NCCU bands at the Jack Rudin Championship online.

• Guitarists Butler Logan & Gabe Dansereau take over Sharp Nine 8p. The last time I heard Logan he was really on.
• Django Fest moves its main performances to the Cats Cradle Back Room 8p.

Sunday: Remember NCCU online again 7:30p.

• Django Fest jam at Carrboro's Tandem Restaurant in Carr Mill 7p.