1. ncjazzbeat.com is great at listing daily performances: I'm pretty sure I do a decent job of weekly listings & recommendations, but Patrick's done a fine job of automatically listing who's playing where each day. A good complement to LJ!
2, Duke Performances has put out a great mini-documentary about Monk@100 & is looking for funding for a full documentary: If you want a feel for the why & how of Monk@100, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHWETnJbRbs.
3. Don't be afraid of free-jazz! I stopped in on the first of Jimmy Gilmore's free-jazz bi-weekly gigs at Pinhook Thursday night, fearing cacophonic chaos but finding listenable improvisation in which each of the quartet was distinct. I could both hear individuals & the musicians playing off & against each other. I'll return one of the remaining Thursday evenings. Check the schedule at: https://jimmygilmoremusic.com/performances/.
4. Jim Ketch's Swingtet just plays incredibly well every time I see them: Jim has surrounded himself with the finest young local musicians--Eric Hirsh piano, Aaron Gross bass, Donovan Cheatham drums, Shaquim Muldrow tenor sax, Anne Bennett alto sax--& has them playing (mainly) less known tunes from the '20s through the '60s. They blew us away again Friday night.
This Week: Not as many vocalists as last week but still ok...
Sunday: Kate McGarry, Keith Ganz, & Gary Versace celebrate their new CD at Sharp Nine 7p. I'll be there because I'm a Kate fan & feel the CD is specially lovely.
Monday: Danny Grewen & Robert Griffin do their fun thing at Imbibe 7p; while the Triangle Jazz Orchestra is at the Pittsboro Roadhouse 7p; while...
Tuesday:...the Durham Jazz Orchestra is at Sharp Nine 8p.
Wednesday: Yeaux Katz has its weekly gig at 2nd Wind; while pianist Frank Longino takes the stage at C Grace 9p.
Thursday: Pianist Jim Crew takes that same C Grace stage 9p.
Friday: Too many choices, of course! In order of appearance...
- The UNC student jazz combos with artists-in-residence in Moeser Auditorium in Hill Hall 4p.
- Veteran local pianist Elmer Gibson again graces the Irregardless stage 6:30p.
- Singer Jo Gore & organist Doug Largent play live on WHUP 104.7 (Hillsborough community radio) 7-8p. Listen on radio if close to HBP or online or check their archives afterwords.
- Decatur Street Beat gives you basic trad jazz yayas at Durham's Saladelia 7p.
- Singer Shana Tucker, having settled back into this area, sings at Sharp Nine 8p. I'll be there because I haven't heard her in many years & need to welcome her back home.
- While Tin Tuxedo keeps cocktail loungers happy at C Grace at 9p, Gary Brunotte does the same upstairs at the Empress Room 9p.
Saturday: One event in CH, many in Raleigh...
- The UNC student big band plays with artists-in-residence in Moeser Auditorium 8p.
- In Raleigh at 9p, you can choose or explore among the Al Strong Quartet at C Grace, more trad jazz yayas with the Second Line Stompers at Irregardless, or/& singer Angela Bingham & pianist/vocalist Ariel Pocock at the Empress Room. The last attracts me because it's an interesting duo; or, I'll start there & wander downstairs & maybe a few blocks south.