Discoveries:

1. The Fruit jazz series started fantastically with the 99 Brass Band: Wow, what energy Al Strong's brass band put out! More to come at the Fruit. See below.

2. Soul/jazz singer Yolanda Rabun is Nina Simone at UNC Playmakers Theater 8/21-25.

3. Brian Horton has a sorta every Tuesday residency at Durham's Kingfisher Bar 9p. Nice addition to local jazz.

4. You can miss a lot of music by going on a trip: I'll be gone 11 days & will miss much music. See below.

These Weeks: Everything below is in addition to Usual Suspects, believe it or not...

This Week:
Monday

• ​The Fruit jazz series continues with Lynn Grissett's sextet honoring Miles Davis's "Kind of Blue" 50th anniversary 7:30p. I'd be there if I was here.

Tuesday

• Kate McGarry & Keith Ganz & friends say goodbye (for now? forever?) at Sharp Nine 6 & 8p. 
• Brian Horton continues his residency at Kingfisher 9p. Next week too.

Wednesday

• Yolanda Rabun's run as Nina Simone starts at the Playmakers Theater 7:30p.

Friday

• High school vocalist Emma Gonzalez joins Stephen Anderson at Irregardless 6:30p. I've seen her sing with the TYJE & would see her perform here if I was here.
• Al Strong's "experimental" soul/fusion band at Watts & Ward 8p. Al may now have more bands than Gregg Gelb. The more the merrier for us!

Saturday

• Brian Horton plays Wayne Shorter at Sharp Nine 8p. Missing this one will hurt (even if we'll listen to Kate & Keith in NY).

Next Week
Sunday

• NCCU's ann​ual "Give The Drummer Some" concert; five drummers, five combos, lotsa music 6p. And, a chance to donate to the Jazz Program!

Monday

• Annalise Stalls & Zen Poets continue The Fruit jazz series 7:30p. Annalisa--as she's called in show promos--is a killer saxophonist who doesn't look like killer until she plays.

Thursday

• Pianist/educator Harry Pickens plays with UNC students/faculty at Moeser Auditorium 7:30p.

Friday

• Jim Ketch Swingtet at Sharp Nine 8p. Beware of a sell-out.

Saturday

• The interesting combo of Al Strong, pianist Mark Wells, & bassist George Knott at Raleigh's Brasa Steakhouse 7:30p. Brasa's a great place to listen but does nothing to advertise its music...

Discoveries:

1. Eric Hirsh didn't invent indie jazz, but his quartet does as good a job as any jazzing indie music as any band (even the Bad Plus, for me).

2. WNCU is mixing neo-soul, etc., with jazz, not necessarily a good thing: I understand the need to attract younger listeners & those who can't find the music elsewhere, but it's bland, boring music with no swing. If you feel the same way, please complain to General Manager Lakisha Freeman ([email protected]). 

3. Bassist Jason Foureman is doing a duo recording session with pianist Stephen Anderson this week: That'll be worth waiting for. Don't know if Jason has recorded before.

4. Scott Sawyer has some upcoming gigs on his website: Not exactly big news, but he's been so busy he hasn't been able to do so until last week.

​This Week: The Fruit jazz series starts ripening Monday night & Ed Furtick has his first 80th birthday party at Sharp Nine Friday night, with plenty in between & after.

Monday: Beyond Atomic Rhythm at Raleigh's Neptunes Parlour & Grewen & Griffin at Imbibe...

• Al Strong's 99 Brass Band plays The Fruit 7p. For better or worse, advance sales only. I've got my ticket to see this fun group.

Tuesday: Beyond the Onyx Club at Carrboro's Oak Leaf & Alison Weiner at the Eddy Pub...

• Keenan McKenzie's Riffers again provide great jazz for swing dancers at Carrboro's Vecino's 8p. Worth a listen even if you don't dance.

Wednesday

• Fusionish guitarist Russell Favrett plays Durham's Beer Study 7p.

Thursday: Interesting choice

• Al Strong presents fusionists Greyscale Whale (w/ fine bassist Kevin Beardsley) at Durham Hotel 7p.
• Pianist Jonathan Markow & vocalist Any Hancock turn the Empress Room into a standard cabaret 7:30p. Despite Greyscale Whale, I'll be here.

Friday: Though fusionists Zoocru are at Golden Belt, impressive singer Dupresha Townsend at Irregardless, Sam King at Watts & Ward, & Gregg Gelb at C Grace, I have to go to the first 80th birthday party of Ed Furtick, the spirit of local jazz, at Sharp Nine.

• Pianist Andrew Berinson, drummer Donovan Cheatham, saxist Shaquim Muldrow, & bassist Kevin Beardsley serenade both Ed & us at Sharp Nine 8p. There's rumor of a birthday cake.
  

Saturday: There's lots going on. As Annie Savoy put it, you can look it up--but...

• Lenora Helm, her Tribe Big Band (= the best of local players), & Lisa Simone pay tribute to Lisa's mother, Nine Simone, at the NC Museum of Art 9p. Here's my excuse for missing this primo event: gotta go see my 99 Mom in New York. I'm not sure that's good enough.
  

Oh, there's even more coming in the next two weeks (The Fruit series, Brian Horton's residency at Durham's Kingfisher bar, Yolanda Rabun as Nine Simone at UNC Playmakers Theater, Brian Horton playing Wayne Shorter music at Sharp Nine, NCCU'S "Give the Drummer Some" annual concert, more Fruit, the NCJRO, & the Usual Suspects. Yeah, there's hope beyond Kate & Keith moving to Oakland.

Discovery:

Durham Fruit & Produce--aka The Fruit--starts a Monday night jazz series 8/12): As much as I love Sharp Nine (having sat through five straight sellouts), I'm glad we have another outlet for musicians & their audience. S9 has built up its audience with solid performances to the point where it's maxing out its space. Plus, we got more performers here than we've got jazz-specific venues, so another major local venue for jazz is what we need to keep out players alive & to give us more fine music. Check the new link to Durham Fruit on the Home page & enjoy what's coming.

This Week:

Sunday

• Pianist Robert Griffiin--aka Griffanzo--performs with vocalist Chrystal Bright at the Station 8p. She's got a great voice, he plays playfully & well.

Monday

• Atomic Rhythm All-Stars's next to last residency gig (which may also be a George Knott mayoral "rally") at Raleigh's Neptunes Parlour 8p. They make you think you're listening to small bands evolve into big bands 90 years ago.

Tuesday

• Eric Hirsh's Quartet opens for drummer/vocalist Jamison Ross at Raleigh's Pour House 8:30p. I'll be there to support Eric's group & see how Ross makes his smooth soulish voice meld with his jazz drummer chops.

Wednesday: For fine vocalizing, start upstairs at the Empress Room, finish downstairs at C Grace...

• Amy Hancock sings standards known & less-known in a cabaret style at ER 7:30p
• Soul singer Julia Nixon go jazzy at C Grace 9p.