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TJS Newsletter
The Triangle Jazz Society held board elections in December. Here are the new officers for this year:
· President – Scott Westfall
· Treasurer – Yovonne Sullivan
· Web Master/Technology – Eric Dupont
· Membership – Sharon Payne
· Jazz Education – Baron Tymas
· Communciation – Scott Westfall
We have board positions open for:
· Vice President
· Entertainment/Events
· Fundraising
· Administration
If you are interested in volunteering or being considered for a board position, please contact us at info@trianglejazz.org. You can read about the board positions here .
Jazz Happenings
We are going to be hosting more informal events, called “Jazz Happenings”. We’ll pick a performance, and a TJS host will be there to welcome you. This is our way of supporting the business and artists who are already playing somewhere in the Triangle. The TJS does not charge for these events. Admission may be charged by the venue. This is a great way to meet other jazz fans and enjoy some great music!
The first Jazz Happening was Friday, January 30 at The Prime Smokehouse, hosted by TJS President, Scott Westfall. Brian Horton played Tenor sax and really gave the crowd something special. We had about a dozen TJS members show up to enjoy the music and food.
We'll post more Happenings here, so be sure to catch the next one!
Performance Spotlight!
Here are some upcoming events of particular interest...
Tuesday, February 24 through Saturday, February 28
Carolina Jazz Festival with Joel Frahm, Branford Marsalis, Joe Magnarelli, Dr. John, and the Neville Brothers
Various times and locations. See article below for more details.
www.unc.edu/music/jazzfest/
Friday and Saturday, February 27 & 28
Steve Hobbs on Vibraphone
9PM til midnight
The Prime Smokehouse, 1885 Aversboro Road, Garner
www.primesmokehouse.com
Friday, March 6
Heart of Carolina Jazz Orchestra with vocalist Alexander Brower
Performing the music of Billy Eckstine and Arthur Prysock
8:00 PM, Temple Theatre, Sanford.
$15 Adults, $10 students/children.
Call 919-774-4155 between 2pm and 6pm for tickets.
www.carolinajazz.com/upcoming_concert.html
Wednesday, April 29
Chris Botti
8:00 PM, Carolina Theatre, Durham.
www.carolinatheatre.org/onstage/index.html
Videos of Mitch Butler at the Prime Smokehouse
32nd Carolina Jazz Festival: Crescent City Connections
The annual jazz festival at UNC is one of the highlights of the jazz calendar for the year. This year is not disappointment!
The Mississippi River bends in a crescent shape as it makes its way around and through New Orleans, giving rise to one of the city's nicknames.
This year, the Crescent City will be honored as the birthplace of jazz at the Carolina Jazz Festival, Feb. 24-28 at UNC.
Taking the theme "Crescent City Connections," the festival will offer eight performances, three educational events and two late-night jam sessions at Chapel Hill's West End Wine Bar. Many of the sessions will be free to the public. The schedule is available online.
New Orleans musicians will perform; works by the city's jazz composers will fill the air. In a sold-out opening concert, New Orleans' the Neville Brothers and Dr. John will rock Memorial Hall on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 24.
Tickets remain for the second marquee concert, by the Branford Marsalis Trio on Feb. 27. The 8 p.m. show in Memorial will feature the New Orleans native and three-time Grammy winner, a saxophonist, composer and bandleader.
These two concerts also are part of this year's Carolina Performing Arts season.
Events between the two will include a one-day festival featuring high school jazz bands from across the state; UNC jazz band and jazz combos concerts with artists in residence for the festival, saxophonist Joel Frahm and trumpeter Joe Magnarelli; a clinic with the two to which anyone may bring his or her horn and learn from the pros; and a performance by the North Carolina Jazz Repertory Orchestra.
UNC music Professor Jim Ketch, director of the festival and of jazz studies at UNC, said it will mean the world to budding young musicians to mingle with the likes of Frahm and Magnarelli.
"It's a real source of pride for our students to have these artists here on campus for four days," Ketch said. "To rub shoulders with these artists and gain feedback from our shared performances will be wonderful."
Besides teaching about creating jazz and mastering instruments, the musicians will speak with the students about the lifestyles of professional musicians.
Bogart's Has Jazz 7 Days a Week!
Bogart's American Grill in downtown Raleigh has expanded their Jazz offerings, making it one of the premier locations for jazz in the Triangle. Bogart's offers fine dining with a broad menu in a classy setting. The music makes this more than just a meal; it's sophisticated dining at its best!
I'm a regular at the Sunday Jazz Brunch, and it's one of the best dining experiences in the Triangle! It features made-to-order omelets, french toast and waffles, the best sausage I've ever had, a carving station, and more. If you're looking for some place special to go, give this a try.
The Gregg Gelb Trio has been the mainstay of their jazz offerings, performing on Wednesday nights and Sundays for the jazz brunch. Gregg plays tenor sax, with various artists sitting in on keyboards and bass. They play a broad selection of jazz standards, and Gregg's velvety tone is pure joy. When you hear him, you'll know why tenor sax is my favorite instrument! You can also see Gregg playing with the Heart of Carolina Jazz Orchestra and the North Carolina Jazz Repertory Orchestra.
To this, Bogart's has added the Al Soul Trio on Monday and Tuesday nights. They're led by Al Strong, one of the hardest working trumpet players in the area. He's got great tone and a punchy style I really like. I've seen Al with the John Brown Orchestra, Peter Lamb and the Wolves, and with Andy Hampden and Friends. It's great to see him take the lead.
On Thursday nights, you can catch the Mark Wells Trio, featuring Mark on keyboards. If you haven't seen Mark before, you are in for a real treat! He plays jazz with a touch of the blues, moving from sultry to saucy. Mark also has a powerful, soulful vocal style that breathes new life and vigor into your favorite songs. His version of Weeping Willow, is one of my all-time favorites! You can catch Mark playing with Peter Lamb at Brasa Brazilian Steakhouse in Raleigh, Peter Lamb and the Wolves, and with Andy Hampden at Friends.
Friday nights features the Third Degree. I haven't had a chance to catch them, yet, so I can't say anything more.
Saturday nights features The Triple B Project, fusing live jazz with a DJ playing contemporary recordings. Typically, this includes percussion, keyboards, a horn, and guitar; but the mix changes. I haven't had a chance to see them, either, but this exciting mix is at the top of my must see list.
See our Calendar page for a complete listing of local events and please check out the Bogart's website to learn more about them.
--Scott Westfall, TJS Board Member
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