1. The NCCU Faculty Ensemble sounded great at Sharp Nine Friday night: This nonet not only sounded great, they were having a great time, always a good sign for jazz. And, in a smaller venue they sounded better than they do in larger venues. Plus, the place was sold out. They should make this an annual or semi-annual event.
2. Venerable alto saxist Lee Konitz was a trip at the Arts Center Saturday: I'd given up a competitive gig to see if Konitz still has his chops. His short-term memory ain't perfect & he occasionally seemed to be soloing over others, but he can both still play--especially the songbook--& he scats in an acceptably scratchy way, only adding to his charm & his love of the music.
3. I agree with Branford Marsalis up to a point: His Duke Performances interview at the Pinhook Wednesday was, as usual, very interesting. I couldn't but mentally agree when he emphasized the need of young musicians to listen to their own sound; that serendips with my sensitivity to young (& older) musicians having a sound rather than just a set of notes that doesn't move me. Where I part with Branford is his apparent disdain for contemporary players. I know he likes to challenge people with his opinions, but I have to draw line here. Luckily that has nothing to do with my liking of his music & his ambition.
This Week: I keep my music calendar on a printed calendar, for jazz & the many other musics I like. Thursday-Sunday this week are jammed. Difficult decisions ahead...
Thursday:
- Al Strong leads the weekly Durham Hotel rooftop best-in-town jazz jam 7p.
- Jonathan Markow tickles the ivories at the Empress Room 7:30p.
- Gypsy jazz with Reinhardt (yes, that Reinhardt!) & Stelter @ the Carrboro Arts Center 8p.
- Donovan Cheatham leads his trio at Watts & Ward 8:30p.
- Mark Wells entertains at C Grace 9p.
- Guitarist James Gilmore does freeprov jazz with Ghost Trees @ Raleigh's Neptune's Parlour 9p.
- Stephen Anderson plays during dinner @ Irregardless 6:30p.
- Greensboro-based guitarist (& Zen Poet) Gabe Dansereau leads his trio @ Sharp Nine 8p.
- Robert Griffin & ex-Squirrel Nut Zipper Katherine Whalen do their thing at Imbibe 8p.
- Tin Tuxedo explores standards @ C Grace 9p.
- The NC Jazz Rep Orchestra jazzes Charles Ives @ UNC's Hill Hall Moeser Auditorium 8p.
- Peter Lamb & the Wolves liven up Irregardless 9p.
- Al Strong's quartet does the same @ C Grace 9p.
- Atomic Rhythm All-Stars @ Durham's Blue Note Grill 8p. Don't miss this. I won't!