Thursday, 6/2: I went to see/hear singer Frankie Alexander accompanied by pianist Ed Paolantonio & bassist Rick Jones at Irregardless because (i) I hadn't heard her yet & (ii) I wanted to talk with her about local jazz history. It was worth being caught in I-40 rush hour traffic to do those things. If you want to hear a fine standards singer, Frankie's it. You can do that at Weaver Street/Hillborough 6/19 at 11a or Weaver Street/Carrboro 8/7 at 11a, having brunch to complement the music.
Friday, 6/3: A definite change of pace, resisting other choices for the D-Town Brass opening at the Cat's Cradle Back Room: nine horns (2 trumpets, 2 trombones, 5 guys playing almost all the reeds & more, 1 keyboardist, & 5 percussionists on vibraphone, xylophone, various hand drums, a drum set, & miscellaneous sound-makes). The line-up makes clear there ain't no other band like D-TB, with a unique sound that not only seems like Sun Ra & His New Orleans Brass Band, but makes you want to dance, trance, & bang your head, sometimes simultaneously.
Saturday, 6/4: What next? Pianist Joey Calderazzo--best known as a longtime member of the Branford Marsalis Quartet--led his new "NC Quartet" at the Sharp Nine new piano fundraiser. Joey & the band were in great form, balancing swinging quartet tunes from Joey's past with solo piano ballads with special personal meaning for him. Great music for a great cause. And, now that Joey's found local soulmates, keep an eye out for that band (Joey plus Chad Eby on saxes, Steve Haines on bass, & the might engine of Kobie Watkins on drums.