1. Last weekend prepped me for an incredible week: Last Friday I saw the charming vocalist Carol Sloane at the lovely Clayton Arts Center, followed by the Duck Jazz Fest Sunday, featuring (i) the mature vocals of high school junior Emma Gonzalez with the Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble & (ii) the fine pianist Benny Green. Then there was this week...
2. Ernest Turner & Stephen Riley (rhythm'd by Kobie Watkins & Kevin Beardsley) were as good as I expected: Another deserved standing ovation at Sharp Nine.
3. Christian Tamburr is even better on vibes than he is on piano: His quartet--with Ariel Pocock on piano, wunderkind bassist William "Mo Better" Ledbetter, & Kobie Watkins on drums--swung us into oblivion Saturday night at Sharp Nine, when they weren't playing lovely ballads. Having heard him on what he calls his other instrument--the piano, with which he earns most of his money--I was thrilled to hear him on vibes. Do catch him at the Fruit 11/4, accompanied by Kate McGarry.
4. Indy Week had a good article about The Fruit's jazz & Tuesdays at the Kingfisher cocktail lounge: Dan Ruccia did a great job of describing both vibe & the performers at each venue. I hope he does more re local jazz.
This Week starts quickly for me, gives me a rest (if I choose), & ends nicely:
Sunday
- The Spirit of Local Jazz--Ed Furtick--hosts his 4th annual jazz jam for anyone interested in local jazz at Durham's Blue Note Grill (709 Washington St) 1-4p. I'll be there!
- Duke Performances presents the Bad Plus led by Orrin Evans at Baldwin Auditorium 8p.
- Saxophonist Shaquim Muldrow Quartet is the up-&-coming act at The Fruit 7:30p. I'll be there.
Friday
- Angela Bingham sings the Great American Songbook, accompanied by the UNC jazz faculty, at Raleigh's White Memorial Presbyterian Church (1704 Oberlin Rd) 7:30p.
- Extravore saxophonist Ernie Watts joins John Brown & the Duke Jazz Ensemble at Baldwin 8p.
- Pianist Zach Gossett bring his compositions to Sharp Nine with his Za Um quintet 8p. Having heard his unique compositions before, I was told by Zach this will be "different". That's enough to get me there rather to either of the above.
- Extravore bassist Iris Ornig makes her annual appearance (with trumpeter Lynn Grissett, pianist Jonathan Markow & the ubiquitous Kobie Watkins) at Sharp Nine 8p. Her music's been fascinating every other time so why not this time? I'll be there to find out!
- Lois Gomes sings "Songs of Hope & Peace" (accompanied by Ernest Turner) at Durham's North Star Church of the Arts (220 W Geer St) to benefit Durham Central Park 4p.
- Shana Tucker & Brian Horton, with Christian Tamburr, Kobie Watkins & William Ledbetter, recreate the best jazz vocal recording of all-time--John Coltrane + Johnny Hartman--at The Fruit 7:30p. That may be impossible, but this is a group that can handle it. Do not miss.