The John Brown Quintet reunion at Duke Friday night turned into more than that: a party of music that also included a second set with the John Brown Little Big Band. John carefully describes his bands, but this one had seven horns & a piano-bass-drum-guitar rhythm section. "Little" = 11 in this case. The two groups swung until 10:45 or so, divided by the need to reorganize the stage for the bigger band, the horns fronted by those branded big band signs I haven't seen for a while.
Hearing the Eric Hirsh Quartet the next night--Eric on piano, Aaron on saxophones/clarinet, Peter Kimosh on bass, & the ever-improving Steve Coffman on drums--was an interesting contrast: they were "fresh" in the sense that their mix of Eric's compositions, "deep catalog" numbers (e.g., from "Light In the Piazza"), & the occasional standard felt newer. Friday night at Duke was nostalgic; Saturday night was today & tomorrow...
If I have energy left (I left some of it on golf courses), I'll stop briefly this evening at the newish band Onda plays at Milltown in Carrboro 7-9p, with Steve Coffmen this time playing vibes in a Brazilian music vibe. Could be interesting.
I own the NCJRO a visit! They play Coltrane at Sharp 9 Tuesday night at 8p. I will beg them to play one Strayhorn piece while I beg them to forgive me for not appearing Friday night. I also ask forgiveness from Doug Largent since I'll then miss his trio/quartet at the Looking Glass in Carrboro, probably outside in the lovely fall evening air.
This weekend could be called the Ryan Hanseler Traveling Show: the fine pianist plays at C Grace Thursday night at 9p, at the Beyu Friday night at 8p, & as part of bassist Jason Foureman's trio at Sharp 9 Saturday night at 8. Since there are other choices those nights (see just below), it'll be hard to choose which night to hear Ryan, whom I haven't heard in a while.
Other choices I could/would make: Aaron Hill's trio at the Beyu Thursday 7p, Al Strong & the Zoocru at Cuban Revolution 9ish Friday, &, Saturday, pianist Stephen Anderson with Doug Largent on bass at Brasa Steakhouse 6:30p or singer Akua Allrich at the Beyu Saturday night at 8 & 10p.