​It's both the end of the month (when I wait for website updates) & the advent of Labor Day weekend. But, it's not then a time of little jazz news. If nothing else, the John Coltrane Jazz & Blues Festival in High Point this weekend--www.coltranejazzfest.com--offers singers Gregory Porter, Esperanza Spalding, & Dee Dee Bridgewater. For those who haven't heard any of those folks (or even if you're a recividist), they're worth trekking to High Point for.

​One thing to rely on this week while waiting for some venues & performers to detail September gigs is that set of regular weekly gigs here & there. Things pick up on Thursday:

​Thursday:​ For avant-garde fans the Shed provides the Norwegian Friends & Neighbors (not a polka band!), while straight-ahead fans can catch the UNC faculty jazz trio of Stephen Anderson (piano), Jason Foureman (bass), & Dan Davis (drums) in the Kenan Music Building.

Friday:​ ​For those trekking to the Coltrane Fest, saxist Chad Eby hosts a performance of Coltrane's music at the Crown Theater in downtown Greensboro. Me, I'm going to try to stay up to see our local New Orleans-style brass band, the Boom Unit at The Station at 10p (check them out on YouTube).

​Saturday:​ A scientist here short-term last I heard, Brian Taylor, also plays a fine trumpet & will lead a group at The Shed Saturday night 8p, & The Station continues its 2p Saturday jazz series with the Doug Largent Trio.

​In the gaps between jazz gigs I plan to catch up on my golf in cooler weather...

Buoyed by the performances & crowds at their seven week summer jazz series, the Station in Carrboro is continuing the series, starting next Saturday at 2p with the Doug Largent Trio. Robbie Link deserves credit for initiating the idea, & the Station management for picking up on it.

I got to three performances, all standing room only, with last Saturday's more-than-SRO. That featured music of local jazz legends Yusuf Salim & Bus Brown by an enthusiastic sextet: Jim Ketch on trumpet, Steve Wing on piano, Keenan McKenzie on baritone sax, Tim Smith on tenor, John Hanks on drums, & Robbie Link (first set) & Freeman Ledbetter (second set) on bass. 

To me the series brought out a lot of local people who hadn't gotten out to jazz in a while. Some go back to the day, some are friends of the musicians. Now we need to see how much momentum there will be. I plan to be momental...

Today through Thursday is a time for regular gigs. E.g., tomorrow night I may swing by the Looking Glass to hear guitarist Brad Maiani pair with bassist Aaron Gross before I hit the often sold-out NCJRO at Sharp Nine. And who knows what impulses will seize me in addition...

Friday:​ A decent number of choices: the interestingly named All-Nite Public Radio fusion band at the Beyu 8 & 10p (I've liked what I've heard of them on YouTube); the first Orquesta Gardel gig at Motorco 8p (time to dance​!); & the Franklin Hotel in Chapel Hill hosting pianist Ernest Turner & singer Jo Gore. The last gig is worth noting because may mean there'll be more jazz there.

​Saturday:​ Busy, busy: for early birds, the Yusuf Salim tribute sextet in the last Carrboro Station jazz series 2p; then, after a nap if needed, on to fine-voiced soulish singer Carolyn Malachi at the Beyu 8 & 10p; or the Al Strong Quartet at C Grace 9p; or the Ariel Pocock Trio at Brasa Steakhouse; or altoist John Palowitch at Irregardless 9p. I'll be at the Station & am confused about what to do next...

Sunday:​ I'll definitely be at NCCU's "Give The Drummer Some" free fundraising concert (yes, a contradiction in terms) at 6 & will probably catch the silent auction at 5 to see what goodies might be there. I've caught all but one of these concerts, & they're a great way of starting an academic jazz year, especially with all the musicians you can hear in multiple small groups.