Wednesday brings a unique Empress Room performance--a Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble small group. Next week the full band competes again in the Essentially Ellington national band competition at Lincoln Center. Hit their tip jar hard!
Friday I'll probably check out the Keith Ganz Quartet (including Al Strong) at Sharp Nine 8p but may also squeeze in Ariel Pocock & James Suter at Brasa Steakhouse 6:30p before that. For Latin jazz dancers, La Fiesta holds forth at the Step To Gold dance venue in Raleigh.
Saturday may hold too many choices for me. The ubiquitous Gregg Gelb bring his trad jazz Second Line Stompers to the Station 2p; I'd already planned to hear a rare Ira Wiggins gig at Beyu 7 & 9p, but then I saw the Zen Poets scheduled at Irregardless 9p for an almost as rare appearance. The ZPs should have more gigs upcoming now that two members are finishing grad school.
Sunday: Two more choices when I may be over-choiced. Jo Gore & Ernest Turner are part of Carrboro Day's entertainment, while Brad Maiani (the "Hidden Guitarist") is at Chapel Hill's West End Wine Bar 7p.
Jazz music is life....