In the jazz desert of Chapel Hil there are two oases this week, both propelled by UNC students: saxist Eric Przedpelski leads a quartet on the friendly porch of the Center for the Study of the American South (CSAS) next to the UNC President's house on E. Franklin Street at 5:30p; soon after that UNC student musicians lead a jam session at The Strowd (159 1/2 E Franklin) at 6:30 or 7p. I suspect some or all of the CSAS players will migrate to the Strowd, which is above the famous, perpetual Sutton's Drugstore.
...Yes, I called Chapel Hill a "desert". But, Ernest Turner's website says he's playing at the Franklin Hotel, which stopped hiring pianists for their bar a couple or more of years ago. I'll stop there tonight to see whether Ernest has a bar gig or a private gig there...
Too many choices this weekend (reprise).
Friday: Extravore flute player Jamie Baum at Sharp Nine at 8; John Brown's Carolina Big Band at Duke's Baldwin Auditorium at 8; Doug Largent at Honeysuckle Tea House; Tin Tuxedo at C Grace at 9; & Peter Lamb & the Wolves at Cuban Revolution at 9:30. While I revel in Rhiannon Gidden's voice elsewhere at Duke, have fun choosing.
Saturday: Scott Sawyer playing solo, duo, & trio at Sharp Nine 8p, aided in choosing which by bassist Jason Foureman & drummer Dan Davis; the Al Strong Quartet at C Grace 9p; & alto saxist John Palowitch with a trio at Irregardless. More choices!
Sunday is easier (though check your listings): extravore singer Jo Lawry & husband saxist Will Vinson help create a "Duopalooza" with locavorish singer Kate McGarry & husband guitarist Keith Ganz at Sharp Nine 7p. Should be fun.