Wednesday: It's a night in Durham when I could check out the unpublicized weekly performance at Ariel Pocock the Bar Virgile by pianist/singer Ariel Pocock & bassist James Suter at 7, & then have some good East African food at Palace International while listening to Zoocru at 8p. A rumor alleges trumpeter Al Strong will join his musical protegees there. Oh, in Raleigh, don't forget pianist Gary Brunotte at C Grace in Raleigh at 9.
Thursday: If I have the energy after leading a one-shot "Guide To Local Jazz" class at OLLI/NCSU in the afternoon, I have another choice: saxist Aaron Hill's trio with pianist Stephen Anderson at the Beyu at 7p &/or tenor saxist Shaquim Muldrow's quartet at The Shed at 8p. At the latter, I hope he has a singer as he did a few weeks ago.
Friday: Though pianist Ernest Turner's quartet is at C Grace at 9, I'm leaning towards another in the NC Continuum Jazz Project series at Sharp Nine, led by drummer Larry Q. Draughan. "Q" will also give a 7p talk about legendary drummer Max Roach before the performance.
Saturday: I may be worn out after four nights out in a row, but don't let that stop you from choosing among: pianist/singer Leonore Raphael at Sharp Nine at 8p; at Irregardless, the Meyer-Johns bass-guitar duo at 6:30, followed La Fiesta Latin Jazz at 9p; the Mint Julep Jazz Band at G2B at 7p; & the Al Strong Quartet at C Grace 9p. Or, you can be crazy like me & hit multiple venues...