1. Atomic Rhythm All-Stars April residency at Raleigh's Neptune's Parlor: This band plays '20-30s jazz so well that it's worth taking them in any Monday 8p.
2. Irregardless presents extravore singer Giacomo Gates Saturday night 9p: This is a major move at Irregardless to emphasize jazz every Saturday there (lately from brunch to a lead-in group to the main act).
3. The Art of Cool Festival lives! After much mystery about its original April dates, AOC has been sold to a new producer & rescheduled for September (check its link on the home page). Based on what's announced so far, it's the usual mix of Black American Music, the jazz portion TBA.
This Week: This is as busy a week as I've seen in a while. Good for us!
Monday: In addition to the Atomic Rhythm All-Starts at Neptune's Parlor, other choices include Danny Grewen & Robert Griffin at Imbibe 7p & dancing to the NC Reveler's Orchestra at the Pittsboro Roadhouse 7:30p
Tuesday: Either Mahalo Jazz at the Eddy Pub 7p or the Second Line Stompers & trad jazz at C Grace 9p.
Wednesday:
- Yeaux Katz at 2 Wind 7p.
- Peter Lamb & the Wolves at Humble Pie 8:30p
- And, the longest running jam session around at Duke's Jazz At the Mary Lou 9:30p.
Thursday: 6 gigs! Pretty good for a Thursday night.
- Pianist Gary Brunotte & percussionist Ramon Ortiz start with Latin jazz at Vinos Finos 6:30p.
- Pianist Jonathan Markow plays at the Empress Room 7p.
- Ernest Turner leads the Imbibe jazz jam 8p.
- Andrew Berinson plays his piano at Durham's J.B. Duke Hotel 8p.
- Watts & Ward has its regular Thursday night gig 8:30p.
- Al Strong brings his quartet to C Grace 9p.
Friday: Even more!
- The NCMA's Iris Restaurant features the trio drummer Stephen Coffman (of Peter Lamb & the Wolves, the Eric Hirsh Quartet, & the NCJRO) 5:30p.
- Tea Cup Gin continues the music at Cary's Mayton Inn 6p.
- The Doug Largent Trio plays with dinner at Irregardless 6:30p.
- Kate McGarry has fine extravore drummer Clarence Penn join her quartet at Sharp Nine 8p.
- Down the road in Sanford, the Heart of Carolina Jazz Orchestra (HOCJO) plays with singer Giacomo Gates at the Temple Theater 8p.
- The Al Strong Quartet plays at Circe 1888 8:30p.
- Pianist Frank Longino braves cocktail chatter at C Grace 9p.
Saturday: Less gigs but tougher choices...
- Fabulous young UNCG student pianist Sean Mason plays at Sharp Nine 8p--where I'll be despite other attractive choices.
- Maria Schneider brings her fabulous extravore orchestra to Duke's Baldwin Auditorium 8p.
- As noted in Discoveries, singer Giacomo Gates enlivens Irregardless with stellar local sidemen 9p.
- Young saxist Sam King plays above the crowd at C Grace 9p.