This afternoon is actually a good time to run around Durham in search of jazz: trombonist Danny Grewen at the Shed at 2p, pianist Andrew Berinson at the West End Wine Bar at 3p, & the Beast at Cocoa & Cinnamon at 6p. In fact, it's even a good day for a long walk among those venues.

There are, of course, the usual suspects at the usual venues this week, but I will try to catch Tea Cup Gin this week since I noticed they have many gigs in the next two months. I hadn't noticed that many in the past & only added them to the LJ front page links last week. I may catch them at Chapel Hill's Mellow Mushroom (especially if I'm in a pizza mood) or at Beyu Thursday night.

Amid at least four jazz gigs Saturday night, for those needing to hear a singer, the enthusiastic Noah Powell is at the Beyu at 8 & 10p. My current plan is to check out Contrajazz at the latest contra dance at the Carrboro Century Center. Contrajazz keeps contra dancers happy while blending jazz & whatever into their music, something unique enough to draw me to listen.

It's also time to buy extravore tickets for Kamasi Washington at Motorco 8/7. He's touring behind his 3-CD "Epic", which covers so much territory that I can't describe its many styles. However, after watching an NPR Music video of him, that tune could be described as "hard funk bop" (I should copyright that phrase).

..there is music to hear. E.g., not naving heard the Doug Largent Trio & knowing they might play outside tonight at the Looking Glass Café in the western edge of downtown Carrboro, I'll head there tonight. If they're playing outside, so much the better.

Stephen Anderson's website notes that he's playing Thursday night at Beyu in the Jason Foureman Trio. If you're a Stephen Anderson fan like me, you should be there. Added bonues: no cover charge.

And, if you want more of him--in a Latin vein--he plays with Gregg Gelb's La Fiesta band at Beyu Friday night too (with a cover & my recommendation for a reservation). I've heard Stephen play in both formats & he & whoever he plays with are well worth hearing.

Oh, & if you go to La Fiesta's 8p set you can then scoot down the hill to Al Strong at Cuban Revolution. As long as you can now catch more than one jazz session a night in Durham on weekends, you might as well do it.

Sundays are usually pretty quiet except for the usual Beyu brunch. But, also check out the Honeysuckle Tea Room, Irregardless, Doug Largent's website, Eric Hirsh's site, & the West End Wine Bar. My plan? Hear the Andrew Berinson Trio at WEWB, then catch the Beast at Cocoa & Cinnamon in that Near North Durham neighborhood. That enough?

Like our typical summer weather here, this weei's jazz is pretty routine, found on venue weblsites--except for a couple:

--On the websites of Lois Deloatch & Ernest Turner you'll find Sunday's 3p Jazz Vespers at St Matthew's Church in Hillsborough. A number of area churches have been putting on these events periodically. They're worth catching whether you're into jazz or vespers.

--The Contemporary Art Museum (CAM) has another jazz kissa Monday 7/20, a listening session for saxist Kamasi Washington, curated by Art of Cool. Since his 3-CD "Epic" is hot right now & he's appearing at Motorco 8/7, this is a way to check his music out. Plus, it's a way to meet more jazz fans!