1. Tenor player Stephen Riley makes everybody sound better: He was the special guest with pianist Chris Pattishall (who Amtrakked from NYC for hours & hours & hours just to get here) last night at Sharp Nine. This was the second time I've heard him play in a first gig with someone (the last was vibraphonist Jason Marsalis) with a minimum of rehearsal time, & each evening has been special. As it was Pattishall played three difficult tunes by a new favorite of his, Willie The Lion Smith, & introduced the only waltzish version of Saint James Infirmary" I've ever heard. All in all, one of the best of many, many nights at S9.
2. Durham's Millenium Hotel has started jazz performances Friday nights: It's now on the LJ home page. I hope it catches on.
3. Duke's J.B. Duke Hotel also has jazz Thursday nights...but it doesn't advertise who & when. I'm waiting a reply to my email inquiry.
4. Raleigh's Watts & Ward private club also has jazz Thursday night...with the same story as above, as I await a reply. Nevertheless, it means more jazz is available for now.
This Week...reminds me of weeks past that start relatively slowly but accelerate Thursday-Saturday...
Monday: choose between being tickled by trombonist Danny Grewen & pianist Robert Griffin at Imbibe or dancing to the NC Revelers Orchestra at the Pittsboro Roadhouse, both at 7p.
Tuesday: Trad jazz yayas with the Second Line Stompers at C Grace 9p.
Wednesday: Pianist Jonathan Markow plays melodic jazz standards at the Empress Room 7:30p.
Thursday: Choices get tough...
- Pianist Andrew Berinson solos at Brasa Steakhouse 6:30p.
- The UNC Jazz Faculty plays both their 360 Degree Initiative composition winners & faculty compositions in Moeser Auditorium at Hill Hall 7:30p.
- Pianist Gary Brunotte plays at the Empress Room 7:30p.
- Al Strong leads the Durham Hotel's bi-weekly jazz jam, guaranteed to attract numerous local musicians 8-11p.
- The NCMA's Iris Restaurant features gypsy jazz with the Onyx Club Boys 5:30p.
- Cary's Mayton Inn has Tea Cup Gin's roadhouse jazz 6:30p.
- Veteran local guitarist Kevin Van Sant plays at Sharp Nine 8p.
- The Gregg Gelb Quartet is at C Grace 9p.
- Cuban Revolution's usual jazz starts at 9:30p.
- Sharp Nine's youth combos play at 3p.
- The Zen Poets duo opens at Irregardless 6:30p.
- Gregg Gelb's Heart of Carolina Jazz Orchestra plays at Apex's Halle Cultural Center 7:30p.
- Extravore vocalist Laila Biali (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDswkPSJsF0) sings at Sharp Nine 8p.
- Durham's Bullpen (https://www.thebullpenatc.com/events/) hosts the Onyx Club Boys 8:30p.
- The Atomic Rhythm All-Stars follow Zen Poets at Irregardless 9p.
- While Al Strong plays at C Grace 9p too.
I'm tired just typing this all out...