It's good to be back at the blog! The weather's beautiful, I've got plenty to do, & there's music this weekend:

Friday:​ This is easy. The person who makes The Shed The Shed, Dan Stark has a rare performance leading a quartet with his sax, backed by Ernest Turner on piano. Good for Dan.

Saturday:​ If you want to do a double or triple this night, you could start at the Saxapahaw public stage 6-8 with Al Strong & whatever group he has with him (& it's free). Next could be Zen Poets at Sharp Nine at 8p (where I'll be since I haven't heard them in months, & Annalise Stalls is a creative saxist & composer). Depending on your gas mileage & stamina (I've got a Prius but not that much stamina), you've still got time for drummer Michael Ode's quartet at Beyu for the 10p show. We'll see how much ambition I've got.

The set of performances in this time is at the free UNC Jazz Camp evening performances Monday through Thursday night. Go to http://music.unc.edu/summerjazzworkshop/concert-schedule/ for more details.

​An intriguing extravore jazz performance is at Duke Performances Monday & Tuesday night, with great jazz drummer Jack DeJohnette accompanying tap dancer Savion Glover. Not your average combination.

​Friday is busy: the Gregg Gelb Quartet with pianist Stephen Anderson, bassist Doug Largent, & drummer Kobie Watkins at Sharp Nine; DC-based singer Akua Allrich at the Beyu; & an Al Strong duo at Alley 26.

​Saturday's not bad either: Al Strong's Quartet at C Grace; Charlotte-based pianist Lovell Bradford at Sharp Nine; & Juan Alamo-led Marimjazzia at Irregardless.

​Sunday's highlight is the Beast atop the Durham Hotel at 5:30. It'll be interesting to hear their latest jazz-hiphop music.

​Parenthetically, the 2016-17 Duke Performances jazz lineup is fabulous. As Annie Savoy said, look it up....

Summer weather here, it's time for cool(ing) jazz. One place to start might be (I haven't visited yet) Vinos Finos in Raleigh, which I've just added to the Home Page venue list because of its regular Thursday night at 6:30p jazz. Beyond that, here are my weekly thoughts:

Today:​​ I still recommend the Soundscape Project funraiser at Beyu this afternoon at 3p, NCCU jazz singers performing in honor of black girls & women. I'll be there.

Tuesday:​ Pianist Ernest Turner starts his History of Piano Jazz course at Sharp Nine at 7. ​I'll be there because I want to know & hear more!

Friday:​ A night of choices. Though at 8p I'll probably take in the Jim Ketch Swingtet at Sharp Nine--veteran trumpeter with a batch of young local players--I'm tempted by La Fiesta at Beyu at 8p & Al Strong's gig at Alley 26 at 9. If I'm energized I'll drive to A26 after Sharp Nine...

Saturday: ​I (& you) can get your dose of Al Strong at Beyu at 8p if not as above, though I'm tempted to check out guitarist Kevin Van Sant at the Beyu at 8p instead since I haven't heard him in a while.

​Next Sunday:​ Local jazz veteran singer Frankie Alexander makes an infrequent appearance at Weaver Street in Hillsborough at 11a. Jazz & brunch, hmm!

​Next Monday-Friday:​ The UNC Jazz Camp does its evening & afternoon free performances, starting with an outdoor concert by La Fiesta Monday at 7p. Go to http://music.unc.edu/summerjazzworkshop/concert-schedule/ for details. Having gone to these performances for the last 2-3 years, I find them a joyful way to cool off from early summer heat...