ON THE WAY

Next Saturday a celebration of North Carolina Jazz Greats.  6pm at Hayti Center. http://www.durham-nc.com/includes/calendar-of-events/-A-Tribute-to-North-Carolina-Jazz-Legends-/75855/

A GOOD RUN

Heard some fine jazz the last couple of days.  On Thursday, 1/29/15, I got to hear for a second time The Lynn Grissett Trio.  Lynn was on trumpet and alto sax. Donovan Cheatham on drums, and Ernest Turner on the keyboards.  Good, straight ahead trio jazz,  On Friday, 1/30/15 I caught a set of the Jim Ketch quintet, a group of seasoned pros who took me back to some smokey clubs in places like NYC, Chicago and Philly.  Both groups were at BEYU Caffe and they made for good nights.  I also caught a piece of the last set at Cuban Revolution.  Good funky jazz.  Durham, NC - A good two night run.

BEAUTIFUL - MICHAEL JONES

Please go to YouTube and view Michael Jones Trio Freedom at Midnight.This video is an excellent example of some of the wonderful live jazz going on in Durham, NC.  This is at the BEYU Caffe in downtown Durham. The Michael Jones Trio performs there on a regular basis and they always make you glad you came out to see them!  I told Michael that seeing this video made my already good day even better.  Michael can be contacted at farmormikeproductions,com.  I would also suggest checking out the schedule of other good jazz happenings at beyucaffe.com/jazz-club.  "It's All About The Music".

MLK CONCERT DUKE UNIVERSITY

What a great event at Duke University's Baldwin Auditorium on this past Saturday night.  621 folks were able to enjoy two plus hours in joyous celebration of the memory of MLK.  A symphony orchestra, a jazz band, a female jazz vocalist, a male gospel chorus, a 100 man choir,  a spoken word professional.....WOW.  They were all excellent.  The audience was deep into it!  The acoustics were superb.  The joint was jumpin' and  sold out.  Things were so good that the folks who were in charge of this inaugural trial event announced that it's going to be an annual happening!  Hooray for Duke and Durham.  The good stuff just keeps happening for us music/jazz lovers.  Thank you to the providers.  It easy to tell everybody involved with this event loves what they do.  From one thankful member of the Durham/Triangle music/jazz lovers' community KUDOS -- Please keep it coming.

KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON

Saw this movie.  If you see that it is coming to a theater near you, don't miss it!  You may be able to get it on iTunes.  This is much more than just a documentary on the life of a famous jazz musician.  I felt it did what some of the words in Chuck Mangione's song "Freddie's Walkin'" speak to - "remindin' us what love can do".  A beautiful thing!!!

"ANOTHER GOOD UN"

http://mfaeda.duke.edu/events/keep-keepin-part-winter-series-carolina-theatre  This link should take you to a great film event for free here in Durham, NC.  The movie "Keep On Keepin' On" features jazz great Clark Terry and current day jazz piano player Justin Kauflin.  Kauflin is a great young player.  Check him out on You Tube under his name.  You can also catch him with recordings of the Jae Sinnett Trio.  I recommend the cut "Slippin' Into Darkness" from their recent album "Theatre".

GOOD STUFF IN DURHAM, NC

January 1, 2015 -BEYU Caffe,  Michael Jones Trio, outstanding.  January 4, 2015, BEYU Caffe, Andrew Berinson, solo jazz piano, 11am -2pm jazz brunch.  It will be outstanding.