1. Another private concert (this time, West End Wine Bar/Durham): So, en route to the Blue Note Grill (see next Discovery) I stop at WEWB/Durham to see who's playing since they don't advertise, & I stumble into another private concert. The music of pianist Noah Sager, bassist Ben Palmer (of WHUP fame), & drummer Jake Buchanan forced me to stay. The wet, cold weather kept their usual crowd away, so it was me & the bartenders listening. They play all Sundays but the first of the month, when the Latin Trio Mambo takes over. Worth a stop on Sunday 4-6p.
2. The Atomic Rhythm All-Stars are the best hot jazz band around here: I had heard of ARAS but not listened to them live until Sunday evening at the Blue Note, where they packed the house with jazz traveling from 1920s New Orleans through Chicago to New York. They're very good & worth hearing again when you're the mood for that change of pace or perhaps a little dancing. They have a residency at Neptune's Parlor in Raleigh during April.
3. I'm confused about how many Al Strong jazz jams are left at the Durham Hotel: The Hotel schedule extends to 4/19; Al's website extends into June. More to come when I know more.
4. I can survive a week without live jazz (so far): Maybe the Atomic Rhythm All-Stars overwhelmed me last Sunday, but I shifted to fine old timey & Irish string music this week at the Nightlight. More likely, I just needed a change of pace...
This Week: Choices for getting back to live jazz...
Monday: I can catch Grewen & Griffin at Imbibe 7p or dance the night away to the Triangle Jazz Orchestra at the Pittsboro Roadhouse 7:30p.
Tuesday = Extravore Jazz Alert: I'll be at the Carrboro Arts Center to see Cuban pianist Omar Sosa & kora player Sekou Keita. All you have to do is click this to hear their "Transparent Water" CD--all the reason needed to seek them out.
Wednesday: I can either catch pianist Frank Longino at the Empress Room 7:30p &/or head to Humble Pie to see Peter Lamb & the Wolves 8:30p.
Thursday: I can either go to Al Strong's jazz jam at the Durham Hotel 8p or hear Mark Well on piano at C Grace 9p. I don't care about basketball.
Friday:
- I'll be at Sharp Nine to hear young guitarist Devin Frazier 8p--in part because saxist Dave Finucane's his sideman. Always worth hearing those infrequent times when Dave plays, but ya'll can go to...
- Tea Cup Gin's at Hillsborough's Hot Tin Roof.
- Tin Tux lights up C Grace 9p.
- Cuban Revolution does its Latin thing 9:30p.
Saturday:
- The Noir Bar in Raleigh's Glenwood South district has its first jazz performer that I know of in Shana Tucker (who put on a fine performance at Sharp Nine recently) 8p.
- Al Strong's Quartet successfully quiets cocktail lounge chatter at C Grace 9p.
- Gary Brunotte does the same upstairs at the Empress Room 9p.
- Rewind: Cuban Revolution does its Latin thing 9:30p.