Returning back to the area after a hiatus of sorts in south Louisiana for a decade, there is one scene that seems somewhat scarce in Asheville. There is little if anything for really engaged Jazz. For those serious jazz bops, where do you go regionally to listen to Jazz? Right now I’m listening to Stan Getz and Chet Baker from The Stockholm Concerts box set and I miss that opportunity to venture to a place in New Orleans or Baton Rouge where you can hear young musicians who feel just what folks like Getz, Davis, Baker and Brubeck were working in their music craft.
What are Asheville’s Jazz lovers listening to?
I’m not hugely into jazz, and most of the local acts do nothing for me. That said, I’ll go out of my way to listen to Chuck Lichtenberger. If you can find them, I also highly suggest checking out Reel by the Stephanie Morgan Quartet (or SMQ, which essentially merged with Morgan and Lichtenberger’s other project, Stephanie’s Id) and anything by the Tyler Ramsey Trio (he was a jazz guy for a few years before moving on to his current melancholy indie folk-rock thing).
Hmm, old posts but not too encouraging for somebody looking to relocate. Just checking out the music listings and only a couple of actual jazz groups playing. Even at joints with JAZZ in the name there’s a LOT of RnB type stuff on the calendar. Or am I just not looking in the right places for listings?
It’s alright. I suppose that you are speaking about the thing that happens at Cafe on the Square? It’s pretty good, except when the pianist lets his girlfriend sing.
Hmm, old posts but not too encouraging for somebody looking to relocate. Just checking out the music listings and only a couple of actual jazz groups playing. Even at joints with JAZZ in the name there’s a LOT of RnB type stuff on the calendar. Or am I just not looking in the right places for listings?
What’s up with the Jazz Composer’s Forum group?
Ed
There is a jazz scene in town, but I think most of our forum users are probably not part of it. I’d suggest checking out the WNC Jazz Society.
Hmm, old posts but not too encouraging for somebody looking to relocate. Just checking out the music listings and only a couple of actual jazz groups playing. Even at joints with JAZZ in the name there’s a LOT of RnB type stuff on the calendar. Or am I just not looking in the right places for listings?
What’s up with the Jazz Composer’s Forum group?
Ed
There is a jazz scene in town, but I think most of our forum users are probably not part of it. I’d suggest checking out the WNC Jazz Society.
I was just looking at the website for Bill Gerhardt and Sharon LaMotte and they list two jam sessions - one on Mondays at someplace in West Asheville called Stella’s and another Wednesday nights at Tressa’s. Are those still happening? Are there any other open jazz sessions around the area?
Stay away from Sharon LaMotte. She gets drunk and croaks a lot. Seriously. My ears are still hurting from her croaking “Nature Boy” over 2 years ago. Lay off the vino, mama bear.
The Rocket Club in West Asheville, across from the Admiral, down the road from the bridge going over 26, just started hosting the Asheville Jazz Orchestra every monday night. $3 cover charge and it’s a 20 piece group, so that’s worth checking out. They host a another trio tuesday nights, and every now and then will have another small group play.
