In my last post I recommended bands-that-fit-venues, which covers Sunday-Wednesday. In addition:

Tuesday: The NCJRO will probably play to its standard full house at Sharp Nine 8p, but I'll go to the Beyu to hear extravore pianist Gerald Clayton talk about his Duke Performances "Piedmont Blues" composition, 7-8:30. Details: http://beyucaffe.com/events/be-connected-duke-performances-presents-gerald-clayton/. I'll also go to the performance itself, which features excellent extravore singer Rene Marie.

​Thursday: Singer Frankie Alexander & pianist Stephen Anderson perform at Irregardless 6:30p, while the extravore Charles Lloyd & the Marvels are at Duke Performances.

Friday: A crazy set of choices:
     --Kate McGarry, Keith Ganz, & Dave Finucane at Sharp Nine 8p. Full disclosure: I helped set this up as part of my "Guide To Local Jazz" class.
    --Excellent extravore pianist Christian Sands joins John Brown & the Duke Jazz Ensemble at Baldwin Auditorium 8p.
     --For some reason Duke also schedule the first "Piedmont Blues" performance at Reynolds Theater 8p.
     --The NCCU Jazz Studies Faculty premieres its new CD at Beyu at 8p.
     --The UNC jazz combos & the extravore Andrew Van Tassell Quartet 4p in Kenan Music Building.
     --The Doug Largent Trio makes a currently rare appearance at Irregardless 6:30 & 8:00p.

Saturday: Quieter. I'll see guitarist Scott Sawyer & Trio at the Station in Carrboro 2p. Another possibility is the UNC Jazz Band with Andrew Van Tassell at Kenan Music Building 8p (a scholarship benefit concert).

That enough? It is for me. Though, as other performers/venues reveal their December schedules, I'll add more later in the week...

Some bans just fit their venue, & I've got three jazz groups that do:

1. Yeaux Katz--trombone, keyboard, drums, electric bass--plays every Wednesday at 7p at 2nd Wind in Carrboro. With a core of fans & bar regulars applauding every number, the band fits the downtown Carrboro bar vibe. Order a pint of beer & enjoy...

2. The Brad Maiani Trio at the West End Wine Bar 7-9p Sunday nights. Especially with the later sunsets, the dark, intimate vibe of the bar complements the delightful straight-ahead guitar trio. Order a red wine for the colder weather, sit, & take in this fine trio... 

3. Trombonist Danny Grewen & pianist Robrt Griffin have been holding forth at Imbibe in downtown Chapel Hill 7-10p for a while now. I returned there after a few months' absence & found a larger crowd, a bassist added, & plans for a Sinatra night 12/12. Maybe the best jazz bar band in Chapel Hill?

These are my first recommendations for next week.

It's a week to check  out regular gigs:

Monday:You can choose between pianist Robert Griffin & trombonist Danny Grewen at Imbibe in Chapel Hill  7p or pianist Ernest Turner & the Shed jazz jam 8p.

Tuesday: Guitarist Brad Maiani's trio is at the Looking Glass in Carrboro 7p.

Wednesday: The best jazz bar band in Carrboro, Yeaux Katz, at 2nd Wind in Carrboro 7p.

Friday: Soul/blues guitarist Calvin Edwards at Beyu 8 & 10p; or longtime local pianist Elmer Gibson at Irregardless 6:30p.

Saturday: I plan to hear Brevan Hampden's Primera Jazz band at Sharp Nine 8p for a Latin flavor. If not for that I'd catch singer Carolyn Mitchell at Irregardless 9p.

Have a fine Thanksgiving!