1. Live music is the best! Having listened to Juan Alamo's first jazz recording--"La Ruta Panoramica"--& liked it, after having heard his Marimjazzia live at Sharp Nine Friday night, I loved the energy & enthusiasm of the latter. Juan played as if he was ready ready ready to perform his tunes three months after the CD release, aided particularly by Stephen Anderson's percussive piano playing & Atiba Rorie's emphatic conga & cajon playing. The band will return to Sharp Nine in December; the CD should be available there now.
2. Carrboro's Oak Leaf restaurant has summertime outdoor jazz Tuesdays at 5p: It started with the gypsy jazz of the Onyx Club Boys. Last Tuesday it felt totally mellow!
This Week: In addition to the Usual Suspects (look 'em up!), there are a few others...
Sunday
- Bassist Rick Bugel, drummer Donovan Cheatham, & guitarist Scott Sawyer demonstrate what a fine place Watts & Ward is for jazz 7p.
- Singer Lydia Sallett Dudley graces the Cary Downtown Park 7p.
- Singer Amy Hancock does the same at the Empress Room 7:30p.
- Erich Hirsh monthly residency at Durham's Arcana 8p. I really want to know how his composition went at the International Jazz Composers recent get-together.
- Pianist Sean Mason travels from NYC (Julliard & local gigs) to the Sharp Nine location of his native state 8p. DO NOT MISS. I won't.
- Pianist Ernest Turner competes in the Washington Jazz Fest piano grand prix competition. His skill deserves a grand prix!
- Alison Weiner hosts Scott Sawyer & percussionist Beverly Botsford at her studio 5p. You have to go through her website to join this.
- Pianist Jonathan Markow joins Donovan Cheatham & Rick Bugel at Watts & Ward 7p.