Despite recent weather Sharp Nine was packed last night since the NCJRO has built up a core audience, perhaps since it found a home there in the last few years. It's part of the overall "they will come if you have regular jazz in a venue" approach to jazz locally. Sharp Nine, Beyu, The Shed, & C Grace have all started offering regular jazz & have been rewarded.
What makes the NCJRO special? Good question. As one who's paid more attention to jazz combos than to big bands, I find it refreshing just to hear the energy & textures of the NCJRO (& the university big bands). Yeah, it's the big band version of small group straight-ahead jazz, but c'est la vie ici. It will continue to bring out capacity crowds at Sharp Nine every fourth Tuesday of the month, the next being 2/23.