HOORAY THE USUAL SUSPECTS PLUS

I spent some time at BEYU Caffe the past couple of evenings and was able to enjoy Kobie, Russell, and Kenny doing their thing on Wednesday's Jam Session spot.  They were great as usual and the end of the evening was a bonus with Ernest Turner sitting in for a bit. The evening also brought a new to me player to the stage, Noel Sherr on tenor sax.  Noel  sat in on a couple of numbers with the trio and his sound made it feel like he'd been playing with them for a long time.  I hope he stops thru again when I'm there.  Thursday night The Aaron Hill Trio, Aaron on alto, Jason Foureman -upright bass, and Aaron Tucker putting brushes on skins  laid out a bunch of good sounds.  They did a great job of continuing to remind us that  "what you have here is Jazz".  Thank you gentlemen.   I understand that three of my "usual suspects", Kobie, Jason, and Ryan plus Alan (I'm not sure of his last name, sorry about that) on sax,  will be appearing at BEYU tonight.  More good jazz on tap.  If any of you have any tips regarding my Dizzy Gillespie search - see my post dated 3/23/2015 - please let me know.

DIZZY GILLESPIE SCHOLARS FANS

If you know/like Dizzy's music, you know he was full of comedy.  I need your help.  I'm trying to find the recording where Dizzy is singing a phrase from "Pennies From Heaven", but instead of saying "Every time it rains it rains pennies from heaven",  Dizzy says "Every time it rains it rains pretty little white girls".  I think it's around the 1967 -  1968 time period.  It's  probably not a whole song, but rather Dizzy clowning around during the playing of another tune.  If anybody knows what recording this is on I'd appreciate your letting me know.  Thanks in advance for your help.  Ed Furtick

RYAN HANSELER AT SHARP NINE SATURDAY 3/21/15

Ryan on keys, Larry Q. Draughn Jr. drums, and Jason Foureman bass.  Saturday night 3/21 8-9:15pm.  $15 general $10 student.  Call Sharp Nine for tickets 919-486-JAZZ (5299).

CAROLYN MITCHELL AT EMPRESS ROOM RALEIGH SATURDAY

As I mentioned in an earlier post, Carolyn Mitchell is well worth hearing especially if you like folks like Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington and Cassandra Wilson.  She's at The Empress Room in Raleigh on Saturday night.

GOOD JAZZ CONTINUES

I caught some of Ryan Hanseler at BEYU last night, JAVA JAZZ.  Ryan was playing good stuff as is his style and I got to  wear my JAVA JAZZ   shirt.  Kobie's jam session is tonight.  Last time I was at the jam I heard some new folks who fell right into the vibe.  Tomorrow night at BEYU is Baron Tymas.  Baron's provided good sounds each time I've heard him. I'm  looking forward to catching his trio again.  According to Andrew Berinson there's some sounds going on at The Shed tonight as well.  Step out and enjoy some good live jazz.  It will lift you up!

The Hang - I Played with Horace Silver

Jazz Vespers at Duke Chapel

Happening again, Tuesday March 17, 2015 7:30pm

THREE IN A ROW GARY BRUNOTTE CAROLYN MITCHELL

WELL ALRIGHT THEN!  I was able to make it 3 for 3 yesterday by enjoying brunch at
BEYU Caffe,  Gary Brunotte was doing his usual great job on keyboards and played a bunch of tunes by one of my many longtime favorites ("Six Pieces Of Silver" 1957 release), Horace Silver -  "Song For My Father" and "Peace" to mention a couple.  Gary was helping my friend Isaac McGraw and I celebrate 41 years of friendship and 40 years (as of March 11th) since we joined Omega Psi Phi together right here in Durham in the "Star-Studded"  Beta Phi chapter.  We had the pleasure of Isaac's lovely lady, Shirley joining in our celebration.  Good friends and good jazz!  It turns out there was an extra added attraction.  Carolyn Mitchell was in the house and treated us to performance of some tunes off of her current (2014) release "Inner Smile".  My favorite of the day from her was "God Bless The Child".  If you like Billie, Dinah,  and Nancy, you 'll enjoy Carolyn Mitchell.  You can find the album on iTunes, etc.  Keep an eye out for her appearing in some of our local jazz spots. I had a great three in a row.  Thank you folks.

JAMES SAXSMO GATES

BEYU last night!  Gates in fine blowin' glory on one sax and Christian Manley sittin' in on some tunes on the other sax. Right on for two nights in a row for Christian!  Mike Hawkins from Richmond outstanding on bass and a great guy to talk with.  Thanks Mike.  Of course a great session made even better due to 2 of our local extremely talented folks - Thomas Taylor on drums, Ryan Hanseler on keys.  I could handle this every night. " Wouldn't that be loverly?"

FRIDAY THE 13TH TRADITION

As it has been in the past, yesterday, Friday the 13th continued to be a good day for me.  At BEYU, Ira Wiggins, plus Brian Miller on tenor sax, plus Christian Manley on alto Sax ---  Whisper Not, etc.  Hooray!  At Cuban Revolution, Al Strong and his quartet of course including Mr. Curry on drums,and new to me, but smokin' young man on keyboards. (If anybody knows his name please let me know).  PLUS,  Brian Miller one more time for me for the night.  Some funky calypso.  I am really enjoying live jazz in Durham, NC. 

BEYU CAFFE WIGGINS GATES

A great one two punch at the BEYU,  Tonight, Friday 3/13/15, DR. Ira Wiggins, The Ira Wiggins Quartet.  This is great straight ahead music.  I enjoy them every time.  Tomorrow, Saturday 3/14/15, James Saxsmo Gates.  Word has it that this Grammy nominated sax player is outstanding and makes your attendance at his performances well worth your being there.  Get out and enjoy the great live jazz that's being played in Durham and environs.

PLEASE TAKE NOTE

I have been blessed to be able to enjoy music, particularly jazz for more than six decades.  My enjoyment just keeps getting better as I get older.  It's great to go back and listen to my favorites by lots of folks who are not with us any longer (Miles, Horace, Erroll, Art, Paul, Dave, Joe, Thelonius, Milt, Nina, etc.)  It's also great to be able to keep listening to new stuff by folks who have been around for a while,(Keith, Stevie, Wynton, Joey, Ellis, Diana, etc.)  If you know me, you are aware that I really get overjoyed when I am able to experience someone new who blows me away.  The jazz community here in Durham, NC and  The Triangle area  keeps affording me bunches of  outstanding opportunities for these new and wonderful happenings. So the title of this post, "PLEASE TAKE NOTE" is my request to all of you young folk out there who are doing such a great job for me  --  in light of how we keep losing members of your generation -- they're getting killed --- please be aware of how you are going about living your life!  I want to keep being able to say WOW did you hear what this young person just put out here for us to enjoy.  Oh yeah, I want to be able to keep having this reaction for a long time. Stick around folks so that in spite of this fragile environment you can "Keep On Keepin' On."  Thanks  (For the purpose of this post the definition of young is anyone who has not yet attained my age).

GOOD JAZZ SOUNDS AVAILABLE

The Michael Jones Trio will be doing their  thing this Thursday night at BEYU.  Check out my blog post from Feb. 5 for a sample of how good they are.  I recommend this for a good time.  7-9pm. free. Ryan Hanseler kicks off Java Jazz tonight at BEYU.  Ryan's piano is always good to hear. 6 - 8:30pm free.