1. Jazz At the Mary Lou is back: The longest-running area jazz jam restarts for the fall semester this Wednesday at 9:30p in the Mary Lou Williams Center, next to the Chapel. It's worth staying up for. Just tak a nice afternoon nap that day.
2. The Empress Room has cornered the market on cabaret-style music: Returning there last Wednesday to hear Amy Hancock sing of the experience of love & loss & Ed Paolantonio & Rick Wolff sensitively accompany her on piano & bass, I will keep saying there isn't anything like this around here. I don't care if I get redundant!
3. I'm putting Durham's Arcana bar on the home page venue list because they've booked jazz on a number of Saturdays (e.g., this week) plus an even more occasional Thursday night.
This Week: After a busy weekend, I'll pick my spots & catch some rest, but don't let that stop you...
Monday
- The Ernest Turner Trio plays at the Fruit's local jazz series 7:30p. I'll be there because he's the most progressive pianist we've got.
- Guitarist Scott Sawyer joins pianist Alison Weiner at the Eddy Pub in Saxapahaw 7p. If I didn't need rest & hadn't seen Scott Sunday out there, I'd be Eddying.
- Another rest night, but check Cary's Downtown Park, the Station, Jazz at the Mary Lou, the Empress Room, & Humble Pie.
- I'll be at Gregg Gelb's La Fiesta Latin Band recording session (check his website), think about fine vocalist Nishah Dimeo at the O'Henry Hotel in GBO or Brian Horton at C Grace 9p.
- Another rest night (for me), but think about effervescent vocalist Dupresha Townsend at Irregardless 6:30p, or pianist Ariel Pocock solo at the Empress Room 9:30p (or do both!)
- Keyboardist Mac McLaughlin is at Durham's Arcana 8p. I'm leaning toward that since I've heard of Mac but never heard him.
- Lots more at Sharp Nine, C Grace, & Revival 1869.