1. Ernest Turner Kickstarter campaign: Our best progressive pianist has finally recorded not just one but two CDs. Go here--https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ernestturnermusic/ernest-turner-studio-recordings?ref=project_link--to contribute. A greater audience needs to hear him, so please do pledge.
2. Kobie Watkins CD release party 10/26: Yup, another new CD, & a very good one. Go here--https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3606258--for tix/info.
3. Zen Poets CD release: It's interesting to hear a band that's changed personnel since the last time I heard them live (a while ago(. Their sound has changed (duh) with the addition of Gabe Dansereau on guitar & of bassist Aaron Gross's compositions: less of Annalise Stalls's edginess & angularity, a more mellow, amiable sound overall, & the addition of Nishah DiMeo's vocals. She also only appears on one cut on the CD but should have appeared on more. And, her voice needs to be heard more around in the Triangle (rather than mostly in Greensboro). Buy the CD.
This Week: In addition to the Usual Suspects (who still deserve business), these highlights...
Wednesday:
- Slingshot Goliath is at C Grace 8p. I found out in passing it's NCCU Music Dept chair Isrea Butler's New Orleans jazz group, featuring excellent vocalist Dupresha Townsend.
- Saxophonist Shaquim Muldrow busks at the Durham Hotel's Cobblestone Row 3p Friday.
- Trumpeter Lynn Grissett's quartet at Durham's Arcana 10p Friday.
- The interesting pairing of Scott Sawyer & Eric Hirsh at Durham's Jack Tar restaurant 5p Saturday. I'll be there.
- Stephen Anderson brings the Dominican Jazz Project back to Sharp Nine 8p. Great cross-cultural mix.