OK, enough of the fire references. They played to a deservedly sold out audience last night. That's a tribute both to Donovan & the Beyu...
If the drummer Donovan Cheatam's quartet had played near a California forest last night, the fire department would have arrested them as a fire hazard. I'm surprised I heard no smoke detectors going off in downtown Durham, they were so hot: John Palowich was fiery on alto, Ernest turner was more than his normal self, Donovan was obviously enthused by leading his first group with family & friends around, & James Suter's bass held the bottom. That Ariel Pocock added a vocal number was icing melting on a cake fresh from the over.
OK, enough of the fire references. They played to a deservedly sold out audience last night. That's a tribute both to Donovan & the Beyu...
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Lotsa choices this week. In addition to regular gigs:
Tuesday: A tough choice between Al Strong trumpeting the initial third Tuesday Art of Cool session at the Durham Hotel 6-9p, &/or drummer Larry Q Draughn's learning session on the African & marching roots of jazz rhythm 7-8:30p at Sharp Nine. Thursday: Local jazz fusion band Zoocru is at The Shed, I assume at 8p, as part of their first national tour behind their first CD. The band includes familiar jazz faces guitarist Russell Favret, drummer Jon Curry, & saxist Alan Thompson. I'll definitely be there. Friday: Drummer Donovan Cheatum leads his first gig at the Beyu 8 & 10p, while Al Strong does his duo thing at Alley 26 at 9p. Time for me to recreate the first time I realized it was possible to take in two jazz gigs in one night in downtown Durham. Saturday: The 12 & 16 year old Bucket Brothers--check https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAIN97uVbvo--are not your average kiddie players & will lead the Carrboro Station 2p jazz series this week; singer Ti Harmon takes over the Beyu 8 & 10p, while guitarists Scott Sawyer & Keith Ganz are at Sharp Nine 8p; & Gregg Gelb leads a group that includes drummer Russ Wilson at Irregardless 9p. Sunday: There's another chance to see/hear Gregg Gelb & Russ Wilson as they headline a trad jazz concert at Raleigh's Glenwood Club at 3p. Check Gregg's link on the LJ Home page for details. Two different experiences:
Friday: Emma Lanford & the New Edition are a singer & quartet of three Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble graduates & two TYJE high school students. Apart from the young voice of high school junior Lanford, they didn't sound like youthful players to my ears: bassist Philip Norris lived up to his reputation as the best high school bassist in the country; pianist Mark Foster had a fine, efficient, refreshing style; tenor player Griffin Ross belied his youth, swinging & balladeering as needed; & insouciant drummer Avery Logan held things down. Lanford & Ross are still in high school, & Foster only goes as far as UNCG, so we'll have more opportunities this year to hear them. And, good luck to Norris & Logan in their Northern music colleges. Saturday: As much as I enjoyed the night of vocal standards above, drummer Michael Ode's quartet--pianist Ernest Turner, bassist Lance Scott, & tenor player Dave Finucane--were on a different level, taking on Joe Henderson in the first set & Monk in the second. Highlight of the evening: the piano/sax duet on "Monk's Mood". I hadn't heard Finucane in months, & he playfully wondered if he could remembered to play. He remembered! Meanwhile, I kept hearing "Thelonius Turner" in the second set. Turner played Turner-like, but with bits of Monk embedded in his improvising. The modest, hot summer night crowd & I got our money's worth... |
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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