In its third year of existence, the Carolina Jazz Concert Series continues to grow with both artists and fans. The packed house tonight only validated the growing interest and fan support found in this queen city. They arrived early and were treated to guitarist Terence Young and Grammy winning saxophonist, Kirk Whalum.

The crowd was treated once more to the electric sounds of guitarist Terence Young along with saxophonist Dante Lewis. A rousing beginning led him into a great selection called “Friday Night’ which seemed so apprproate for tonight. The happy sounds filled the air and featured some good sax from Lewis. This one was for the guys, and he then led into another for the ladies this time from his Love Stories CD called “If Only You Knew”. This long intense number has always been one of my favorites and was good to hear. Terence’s stage presence was in full form as he worked both the crowd and his band for most of the night. He finished up with Michael Jackson’s “Rock With You” and had the entire crowd on its feet in approval.

Kirk Whalum entered the stage dressed in white pants and jacket donning his famous hat and beautiful black tenor with gold keys. It was his first trip to the Carolina’s in some time and the crowd welcomed him graciously. “Valdez In Country” opened the set from his Everything Is Everything disc. Next he was soaring out front on “The Wave” followed by the crowd favorite “Ascension” that had everyone singing along. After a little Coltrane, he took the chance to talk to the crowd about the differences in Carolina and Memphis barbecue as he went into “Do You Feel Me?” That is always a fun one to see performed live and was followed up by “I’ll Always Love You.”

He next brought out a young local sax player who had approached him about a lessen when he was in town, and ended up allowing him to play with him on stage. The two of them played well together, and it was great to see. After several tunes by his very talented band members, he grabbed a pair of sunglasses from the crowd and launched into the “Theme from the Pink Panther” and then into the crowd with his soprano for a song about his wife. Back on stage he selected one from The Gospel According To Jazz called “Everything Is You” followed by “Falling In Love with Jesus” and “Thinking About You.”  The rousing encore featured requests from the crowd including “Groverworked and Underpaid” from yours truly.

It was a very special night here in the queen city as we welcomed this smooth jazz giant to the area for some great jazz. We all left feeling better about the each other, and the genre that we love so well. I look forward to the next show in the series in August.