Sharp 9 Gallery

Starts this week.

Combos and vocal classes start this Monday, still have a couple of spots, join us. For info and to register: https://www.durhamjazzworkshop.org/adult-combosclasses.html

“A Truly fantastic listening experience” —The Jazz Page
Tickets: https://www.instantseats.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=buy.event&eventID=E31F7C5A-0E61-7051-2DA17BB0ABF07B60
“Can range from cutting edge current to old school funky and down home soulful…There are so many great pianists these days, but Ernest Turner is ready to take his place along side the best of them.” —Jazz Music Archives

Award-winning and GRAMMY-nominated pianist and composer Ernest Turner’s professional career has spanned 20 years, and has included performances and recordings with some of the biggest names in jazz and pop music, including Delfeayo Marsalis, John Legend, Raphael Saadiq, and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra. His album, My Americana (2019), offers an understated “ode to black American music” rooted in an innovative reimagination of pieces by Stevie Wonder, Fats Waller, and others, alongside original compositions. In addition to an active performance schedule, he has conducted numerous music clinics and educational performances, and was a former faculty member at Eastern Carolina University. Turner placed second in the 2019 Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition, and his trio was selected as the winner of the 2019 DCJazzPrix Competition. Sharp 9 Gallery

Tickets: https://www.instantseats.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=buy.event&eventID=E33370FD-B794-24F5-071AC64EF0726BB8
“(Juan Alamo is) an exceptional musician, his improvisational prowess and command of the language is excellent! His compositions are very high quality as well….” Arturo O'Farrill, pianist, composer, Grammy award winner

Afroborinqueño Portraits: A Bomba–Jazz Suite
A World Premiere

An electrifying new work blending jazz, marimba, and the powerful rhythms of Puerto Rican bomba.

From ancestral invocation to vibrant, jazz-infused homage, Afroborinqueño Portraits celebrates the depth and resilience of Afro–Puerto Rican culture. Centering the marimba as its melodic voice, this dynamic suite weaves traditional bomba rhythms with modern improvisation—creating a rich, immersive musical journey unlike any other.

Originally from Cidra, Puerto Rico, Dr. Juan Álamo has presented solo recitals at universities and percussion and jazz festivals throughout the United States, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. He has been featured as a soloist and with Jazz ensembles in television and radio shows in Puerto Rico, Mexico, Venezuela, and the United States. Currently Juan is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Percussion Ensemble at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Tickets: https://www.instantseats.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=buy.event&eventID=E3412B04-0472-EB15-173B8B65AC1CC4A6
“(Juan Alamo is) an exceptional musician, his improvisational prowess and command of the language is excellent! His compositions are very high quality as well….” Arturo O'Farrill, pianist, composer, Grammy award winner

Afroborinqueño Portraits: A Bomba–Jazz Suite
A World Premiere

An electrifying new work blending jazz, marimba, and the powerful rhythms of Puerto Rican bomba.

From ancestral invocation to vibrant, jazz-infused homage, Afroborinqueño Portraits celebrates the depth and resilience of Afro–Puerto Rican culture. Centering the marimba as its melodic voice, this dynamic suite weaves traditional bomba rhythms with modern improvisation—creating a rich, immersive musical journey unlike any other.

Originally from Cidra, Puerto Rico, Dr. Juan Álamo has presented solo recitals at universities and percussion and jazz festivals throughout the United States, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. He has been featured as a soloist and with Jazz ensembles in television and radio shows in Puerto Rico, Mexico, Venezuela, and the United States. Currently Juan is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Percussion Ensemble at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Sharp 9 Gallery

Tickets: https://www.instantseats.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=buy.event&eventID=15212606-EB7B-9631-18C3270999679A4D Named as one of the top 200 living guitarists by All About Jazz Magazine, Charlie Ballantine is acclaimed as one of the finest and most versatile young guitarists on the scene today. JAZZ TIMES MAGAZINE hails his playing as “teeming with intricate grooves and maniacal precision his guitar work is both beautiful and complex” and VINTAGE GUITAR MAGAZINE described his style by stating “Jazz, rock, and folk music peacefully coexist in Charlie Ballantine’s world”. Sharp 9 Gallery

Tickets: https://www.instantseats.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=buy.event&eventID=46EC30D2-EDAD-A455-602DF6FF09AC7087 One of the finest pianists of his generation, having recorded thirteen albums as a leader, Joey Calderazzo has traveled the road from child prodigy to in-demand session musician to elite member of the finest ensembles in jazz. He's accompanied the music's geniuses, from Michael Brecker and Branford Marsalis to Jack DeJohnette and Dave Holland. Throughout his journey, Calderazzo has boldly explored his own psyche and his place in the world, as a composer, improvisor, band member, and leader.

Joey Calderazzo - Piano

This performance is sponsored by Susan & Steve Pruskin

Tickets: https://www.instantseats.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=buy.event&eventID=46EC31FB-0F49-E880-14FA9CDA5BC0011E One of the finest pianists of his generation, having recorded thirteen albums as a leader, Joey Calderazzo has traveled the road from child prodigy to in-demand session musician to elite member of the finest ensembles in jazz. He's accompanied the music's geniuses, from Michael Brecker and Branford Marsalis to Jack DeJohnette and Dave Holland. Throughout his journey, Calderazzo has boldly explored his own psyche and his place in the world, as a composer, improvisor, band member, and leader.

Joey Calderazzo - Piano

This performance is sponsored by Susan & Steve Pruskin

Tickets: https://www.instantseats.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=buy.event&eventID=EE4DFF69-CC39-2F6E-AFE4E98A4A435F76 When he’s not in the classroom, Mitchell shares his talents from the main stage. Over the course of his performance career, Mitchell has performed in several states along the east coast and has also had the opportunity to take his musical talents overseas. Mitchell graced stages abroad while touring in Italy, specifically at the Jazzit Festival, Teatro Piccolo in Milan, as well as a Notte Bianca performance in front of the Duomo. Other notable performances include the Eye am Music Festival in Colorado, Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival in Maryland, along with staple events in the North Carolina jazz scene like the John Coltrane International Jazz & Blues Festival and the Ocean City Jazz Festival. He’s also had several performances at the annual Give the Drummer Some concert, including an opening slot for Jeff Tain Watts. Michell has performed alongside some of the industry greats including Branford Marsalis, Joey Calderazzo, Jon Metzger and John Fedchock.

Mitchell’s creativity is underscored through his work as a recording artist. He released his debut solo album, Black Guardian, in 2020 followed by an EP, 4 for 4, in 2022. Mitchell is endorsed by Marimba One and is an educator-affiliate of 2112 Percussion. Sharp 9 Gallery

Combos and vocal classes start this Monday, still have a couple of spots, join us. For info and to register: https://www.durhamjazzworkshop.org/adult-combosclasses.html

Come on down, and check out the cats playing in our ensembles. for info and to register: https://www.durhamjazzworkshop.org/adult-combosclasses.html Sharp 9 Gallery