My personal highlights included:
The NY-based Revive Big Band, which blended jazz, r&b, & hip-hop as well as any group I've heard.
The "return" of Lois Deloatch & her experienced contralto voice at the Beyu Saturday night. She covered pop tunes & jazz with feeling that made most of the songs feel new. When I asked her about more local performances, she (unfortunately for Locavores) said she's aiming at national & international bookings. However, whenever she appears locally, I will note it.
The best least attended performance I saw: Al Strong showing how many styles he plays with an awesome septet in a too empty. All those who were distracted by other performances made a big mistake. I can't wait for Al's new CDs to emerge finally....
Pending the Beyu & C Grace finally posting their May schedules, there's still plenty I can see ahead: Doug Largent's regular gig at the West End Wine Bar Thursday-Friday; Kobie Watkins (who wore himself out drumming this weekend) & his Wednesday Beyu jazz jam; the Beast at Duke's Nasher Museum "Live & Local" monthly performance Thursday at 7p; Jim Ketch at the Beyu Friday night at 8 & 10p; & Brian Horton at C Grace Saturday at 9.
I googled the unfamiliar (to me) singer Maria Vanderbeck from this week's WNCU jazz calendar, listening to her sing standards on her Reverbnation site. I hope to catch her at Saladelia in Durham Friday night or the Kraken Saturday night to hear more. Competent jazz standards singing goes a long way...