I forgot one option for this week: 12 year old jazz piano phenom Joey Alexander, & his trio, appear with the NC Symphony at Cary's Koka Booth Theater at 7:30p. For performance details go to: http://www.ncsymphony.org/events/index.cfm?view=details&viewref=calendar&detailid=4253&sdate=6/1/2016&eid=5246.

Though I'll listen to music elsewhere that night, it won't be because Alexander's not worth seeing. He can not only play jazz standards well, but I've also seen him keep up with the elliptic Wayne Shorter (during the White House International Jazz Day concert). Luckily Alexander should be around for a long time...

As venues/performers update June calendars, I'll update this in a Part 2 as needed...

​My recommendation for early in the week is Brad Maiani at either the Chapel Hill West End Wine Bar Sunday night or at the Looking Glass Tuesday night. Both are very pleasant venues, especially the outdoor stage at LG...

Thursday: I'll see veteran local singer Frankie Alexander at 6:30p at Irregardless, partly because of my interest in local jazz history. Other choices include big band yayas via the Heart of Carolina Jazz Orchestra at the Southern Village Green in Chapel Hill at 6p. Al Strong's also at C Grace at 9p.

Friday:​ My addiction the the D-Town Brass opening at the Cat's Cradle Backroom in Carrboro at 8p overrules my not quite as addictive need to hear the Mint Julep Jazz Band at the new Beyu at 8 & 10p. Or, Marimjazzia's Latin jazz at Sharp Nine at 8p.

​Saturday:​ Since I've waited years to hear Joey Calderazzo on his own, I'll be at the Sharp Nine new-piano-fundraising performance at 8p. Otherwise I'd be torn between Primera Jazz at the Beyu 8 & 10 or three good local jazz groups at the Grove Winery Jazz Fest near Greensboro. A bit unfair, all this choice...

First, I popped out the front door of the new Beyu at 11:30p to the usual buzz of people in front of the Criterion & behind Bull McCabe's, but this time flavored by a bluesy soprano sax player up the street. Haunting...

​Second, the new Beyu is impressive: more open space, more tables, the stage neatly set into the SW corner, the kitchen in back where it should be. The only thing I still need to check out further is the sound system, which had the slight mushiness of the old Beyu, especially when someone talked or sung into the main mike. I also admit to being spoiled about sound systems by the better ones locally.

​It's also obvious that it's the show rather than the sound for most Beyu-goers. The place was packed & is likely to stay packed for most of its shows & being one of the most popular places to meet for many people.