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).