But the first thing I note on the WNCU jazz calendar is longtime local pianist Robert Griffin celebrating his birthday tonight at Imbibe in Chapel Hill 7p. What else can I do but wish him a happy birthday in person?
Tuesday: The NCJRO has tickets this morning for this performance. If you're a big band fan & enjoy Jim Ketch's active leadership, go for it...
Thursday: In addition to Imbibe having the McKeown-Grewen quartet 7p, it's half-price wine night there. You can't go wrong on a night like that--except for these unique events:
- The Atticus Reynolds Latin Quintet (including Ernest Turner) plays on the porch of the Center for the Study of the American South, 410 E Franklin St in Chapel Hill, 5:30p
- The Durham Museum of History celebrates its "J Is For Jazz" monthly exhibit with John Brown & Dr. Ira Wiggins 6p.
- The Blue Note Grill hosts the Empire Strikes Brass band leading into this weekend's Art of Cool Festival 8p.
Friday: If you're not going to Art of Cool, the UNC Jazz Fest has these performances:
- The UNC jazz combos playing with guest singer Alexis Cole (who once lived in Carrboro) in Moeser Auditorium in Hill Hall 4p.
- The Alexis Cole & the UNC jazz faculty scurry over to Sharp Nine for an 8p performance.
Saturday brings more non-AOCF choices:
- The Onyx Club Boys' gypsy swing jazz at the Station 2p.
- The UNC Jazz Fest concludes at Moeser with the UNC jazz ensemble joined by Alexis Cole 8p (benefit their scholarship fund). Worth buying a ticket even if you don't go.
- The best local (& national?) youth big band, the Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble (TYJE), plays at Irregardless 9p. They're very, very, good.
Sunday the TYJE plays at the NC History Museum 2p.
I was tired when I started typing; now I'm exhausted from all those choices!