1. Sean Mason is an incredibly imaginative pianist, with all the enthusiasm of youth absorbing as much music as possible, filling the brain with possibilities, & then spinning improvisation out of tunes & improvisation out of improvisation. I heard that Friday night at Sharp Nine, including 30-40 minutes of continuous playing. Economy wasn't a virtue that night, but ce la vie.
2. Jo Gore & Doug Largent are a good duo, her soulish jazz fitting his bouncy organ playing--based on their Saturday afternoon gig at the Station.
3. Ariel Pocock will start teaching at UNCG. I'm happy when local musicians make more money.
4, UNC & Duke Music Departments are filling in their fall jazz calendars, with more coming. The astounding thing was seeing Duke scheduling Nicholas Payton with the student jazz band the same night that Duke Performances has pianist Jason Moran & multi-instrumentalist Tyshawn Sorey. A mild WTF...
This Week: A week of Usual Suspects to choose among, followed by a few weekend choices...
Friday: I know what I'll do but am still perplexed. I'll see the Ernest Turner trio at Sharp Nine 8p while regretting not hearing DC-based singer Akua Allrich at Beyu & 7 & 9p. Locavore beats extravore except in extraordinary circumstances (e.g., Duke Performances "Monk @ 100" series). For Raleigh-centered locavores, the Gregg Gelb/Stephen Anderson quartet at C Grace 9p will do nicely.
Saturday: Another tough choice. Locally-started singer Eve Cornelius has a CD release gig at Durham's Parizade restaurant 7:30p. That she's making the effort to reconnect with us makes it harder to consider hearing the fun local jazz acapella group Avante at Sharp Nine 8p. Raleighites, you do have the Al Strong Quartet at C Grace 9p for consolation.
And, yes, I wish venues would schedule sets better for my needs!