The singer Jua is worth hearing. He combined his own tunes with jazz standards familiar & unfamiliar Saturday night at Sharp Nine/Durham Jazz Workshop, caressing the lyrics with jazzy finesse. His voice took a few songs to warm up, but it was worth the wait. He's got a new CD out (Colors of Life), which both hides the richness of his voice & still makes you want to hear him live. Which can happen 8/9 at Irregardless in Raleigh.
I do recommend a "local" event, the Ocean City Jazz Festival in North Topsail Beach 7/4-5--because, in addition to Cyrus Chesnut & other national performers, it includes local performers Ira Wiggins, John Brown, & Lois Deloatch/Scott Sawyer. It just requires a short trip to the coast!