Check this out: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-sisterhood-soundscapebeyu-tickets-25777116048. This fundraiser features NCCU vocal jazz performers, including new M.A. students, women who deserve as much attention as this cause does. I'm particularly bullish about opportunities for such vocal students to perform in local venues, since they don't appear as often as instrumentalists. A little singing goes a long way...
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As usual, this week builds to the weekend. Here's where I will (maybe) go:
Today/Tuesday: It should be a good night to listen to the Brad Maiani Trio at Looking Glass since the weather should be just fine for outdoor music. Wednesday: La Fiesta makes an appearance at the Cary's Koka Booth Amphitheater 5:30-8:30p. Again, the weather should be good for this setting. Thursday: Robert Trowers continues his interesting "Straight No Chaser" big band listening session at the Stanford Warren Library, 1201 Fayetteville Street, in Durham at 7:30. This'll be my third visit to this session, propelled by Trowers's passion for big band music propelled by his vast big band experience. Friday: The real deal tonight & Saturday night is guitarist John Abercrombie. I saw him last year & recommend him as a not as household name unless it's a guitarist's household. Acolyte Scott Sawyer will play with him again, & it might be worth it just to see their chemistry. Saturday: For those not hearing Abercrombie, there are plenty of choices: in Raleigh Gregg Gelb's quintet at Irregardless & Al Strong at C Grace; in Durham young but veteran bassist Lance Scott leads his (first?) gig at Beyu, while the improvisatory Universal Indians play at The Shed. The latter may be worthwhile just for the band's name. If those aren't enough to keep you busy, check your local listings... Last night & the two nights before were fun & varied:
Thursday, 6/2: I went to see/hear singer Frankie Alexander accompanied by pianist Ed Paolantonio & bassist Rick Jones at Irregardless because (i) I hadn't heard her yet & (ii) I wanted to talk with her about local jazz history. It was worth being caught in I-40 rush hour traffic to do those things. If you want to hear a fine standards singer, Frankie's it. You can do that at Weaver Street/Hillborough 6/19 at 11a or Weaver Street/Carrboro 8/7 at 11a, having brunch to complement the music. Friday, 6/3: A definite change of pace, resisting other choices for the D-Town Brass opening at the Cat's Cradle Back Room: nine horns (2 trumpets, 2 trombones, 5 guys playing almost all the reeds & more, 1 keyboardist, & 5 percussionists on vibraphone, xylophone, various hand drums, a drum set, & miscellaneous sound-makes). The line-up makes clear there ain't no other band like D-TB, with a unique sound that not only seems like Sun Ra & His New Orleans Brass Band, but makes you want to dance, trance, & bang your head, sometimes simultaneously. Saturday, 6/4: What next? Pianist Joey Calderazzo--best known as a longtime member of the Branford Marsalis Quartet--led his new "NC Quartet" at the Sharp Nine new piano fundraiser. Joey & the band were in great form, balancing swinging quartet tunes from Joey's past with solo piano ballads with special personal meaning for him. Great music for a great cause. And, now that Joey's found local soulmates, keep an eye out for that band (Joey plus Chad Eby on saxes, Steve Haines on bass, & the might engine of Kobie Watkins on drums. |
AuthorPeter Burke has liked jazz since he was in high school. Having lived & worked in exotic places with & without local jazz scenes, he has also led a Guide To Local Jazz class in the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Duke. Archives
April 2024
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