1. Am I becoming redundant? That question's been growing in my mind lately but was reinforced at the sold-out Sharp Nine Friday night. When I started this website & blog six years ago, the Beyu was starting to attract jazz audiences, Art of Cool was flourishing, & Sharp Nine/Durham Jazz Workshop was cranking up, with Irregardless, C Grace, & the Empress Room keeping up Raleigh's end. Bits & pieces have been added to that mix, contributing to a jazz scene where most folks have decided where they can find they want. So I'm not sure the community needs guidance on where to go (as shown by consistent sell-outs at S9) except for the few current residents who still don't know where to go, or the steady flow of newcomers seeking out the music. The latter validates my Duke/OLLI "Guide To Local Jazz" that serves both residents who want to know more & newcomers to the large OLLI community.
2. The NCCU Jazz Ensemble & Combos compete in the Jack Rudin Jazz Championship for the best university jazz bands in the country at Jazz At Lincoln Center next weekend: Go to https://www.jazz.org/media/live-webcasts/ to watch them compete. The broadcast schedule:
- The combo competition is broadcast Saturday 7p.
- Part I of big bands is Sunday 10a.
- Part II is Sunday 1:30p.
- Competition awards & final concert 7:30p.
3. Guitarist James Gilmore just finished recording at CD: If he puts out a funding thing, please do contribute. He's a serious player.
This Week: It'll be a little more low key than 6 performances in 7 nights, but still good things to hear.
Monday
- Atomic Rhythm All-Stars continues its residency at Raleigh's Neptunes Parlour 8p. If I can find an accomplice, I may drive down to Raleigh yet again.
- There's a fine young NYC pianist--Isaiah J Thompson--on that Jazz At Lincoln Center link in Discoveries 7:30p. Heard him play at S9 two years ago. Well worth a listen.
- Jonathan Markow plays piano, Amy Hancock sings known & less-known standards at the Empress Room 7:30p. I will be there. Please do join me. It's a rare treat.
- The ever-busy Al Strong does his thing at C Grace 9p. Another possibility depending on driving endurance.
- An interesting combo at Irregardless: vocalist Dupresha Townsend 6:30p & the Peter Lamb Quintet 9p.
- The Django Fest first night at the Station 7p.
- Tenor player Shaquim Muldrow at Sharp Nine 8p.
- Griffanzo & Grewen shift to the Empress Room 9p. the Imbibe Vibe comes to Raleigh.
- While La Fiesta Latin Jazz heats up the downstairs C Grace 9p.
- Guitarists Butler Logan & Gabe Dansereau take over Sharp Nine 8p. The last time I heard Logan he was really on.
- Django Fest moves its main performances to the Cats Cradle Back Room 8p.
- Django Fest jam at Carrboro's Tandem Restaurant in Carr Mill 7p.