Sweet Live Jazz this week, as Denton heats up

By Kathy Edwards McFarland
Via kathyedwards57@verizon.net

This week starts strong with Live Jazz at the White House, on Wednesday. However Thursday offerings fill the evening with sweet music and bittersweet decisions – so many choices! Banter Bistro presents Gabby Byrd and Friends at 6 p.m., Wine 2 begins its Jazz at 8 p.m., while Jazz-grass band MilkDrive wows the crowd at Dan’s Silverleaf beginning at 9 p.m.

Wednesday, July 9:

• Jeffry Eckels presents Jazz at the White House – A Vocal Showcase, corner of Scripture and Bryan, 8-10:30 p.m. Update!Carolyn Lee Jones and her All Star Band will be playing tonight. It is a true coffee house. If you
  

  Ginny Mac with Jeffry Eckels at the White House in June.

  want to go, get there around 7:30 p.m., so you can get a good seat. (I believe the weather will be good, so the band will be outside on the patio.) (Free)
  

Thursday, July 10:

• Wine 2, 110 West Oak Street, offers Jazz on Thursdays at 8 p.m. (Free)

• Gabby Byrd and Friends Jazz at Banter Bistro, 219 W. Oak St., 6-7:30 p.m., followed by Open Mic at 8 p.m. “This Thursday I’m playing at Banter with some of the best Denton musicians and I’d love to see you there. We’ll be playing some standards and some of my favorite tunes to cover and it should be a good time.” Gabrielle Byrd, vocals; Ronan Delisle, guitar; Perrin Grace, bass; and Connor Kent, drums; with a special appearance by Nick Salvucci. (Free)
  

• MilkDrive plays Dan’s Silverleaf, 103 Industrial, 9 p.m. Tickets – TBA. Band members Noah Jeffries – Guitar, harmony vocals; Dennis Ludiker –
  

  MilkDrive – Thursday at Dan’s Slverleaf, 103 Industrial, 9 p.m.

  Mandolin, harmony vocals; Brian Beken – Fiddle, lead vocals; and Matt Mefford – Double Bass, bring Jazzy Bluegrass selections from their much-anticipated sophomore studio album WAVES, produced by Bil VornDick. Capturing the band’s sophisticated arrangements and fierce musicianship, the album showcases a number of original compositions and features guests Noam Pikelny (of Punch Brothers) and Futureman (of Bela Fleck & the Flecktones).
  Andrew Dansby of the Houston Chronicle calls the MilkDrive repertoire “a virtuosic blast of bluegrassy string-band music.” With labels that range from jamgrass and nu-folk to redneck gypsy jazz, the band has built a following that’s as funky and friendly as they are. The group plays festivals from coast to coast every year, with stops in between at Colorado’s beloved RockyGrass Festival and at home at the Austin City Limits Music Festival.

   

Friday, July 11:

• Violinist Leoncarlo (aka. Carlo Canals) at Banter Bistro, 219 W. Oak St., 10 p.m. (Free) “I’m playing a small show at Banter Bistro here in Denton. Please join me as I present a few pieces of music inspired by poetry, people, travels, and experiences. Also, The Dallas Morning News will be covering this show as part of an article that is being written about me. So come hang out and revel in the fact that the news cares about local music!”

Saturday, July 12:

• Isabel Hernandez-Cato at Banter Bistro, 219 W. Oak St., 6-7:30 p.m. (Free)

Sunday, July 13:

• University of North Texas Jazz Combo Faculty Concert in UNT’s Voertman Hall, at 3 p.m. – (Free)

Monday, July 14:

Live Jazz with Jazz saxophonist Brian Clancy, at the Greenhouse Restaurant, 600 N. Locust, from 10 p.m. to midnight – (Free) “After almost 3 years, I

Saxophonist Brian Clancy plays the Greenhouse Restaurant, 600 N. Locust, 10 p.m., Monday, July 14.

am making a triumphant return to the Greenhouse!! We are going to get down on new stuff as well as some good ol’ tunes. Hope you can make it out! With Colin Campbell – Piano; Jacob Smith – Bass; Justin Heaverin – Drums; and special guests.”

Something played recently on KNTU – 88.1 FM: