Six Count

Bassist Kevin Beardsley is set to join the U.S. Army’s Jazz Ambassadors, departing for basic training on August 10. Kevin sat down with Six Count on July 29 in downtown Durham before his penultimate weekly performance at Kingfisher. The jazz jam runs every Tuesday from 8:30 to 11:00 p.m. with Kevin on bass, Jeremy “Bean” Clemons on drums, and Tinashe “Blu” Thompson Jr. Tonight (Tuesday, August 5) is the bassist’s last regular gig at the bar. During the conversation, Kevin shares about his decision to join the army’s premier big band, his aspirations for musical growth, and parting words to the Triangle’s jazz community. (Local jazz fans shouldn’t despair, however; Kevin plans to return to the area regularly for family visits and gigs throughout the year.) While at Kingfisher, host Xara Wilde also had the opportunity to speak with MoBetta Ledbetter, a member of the Commodores from the United States Navy Band. MoBetta reflects on his four years with the ensemble, shares insights he wishes he’d known when starting out, and describes what it’s like working as a musician in the Navy.

Yuan Dong is a jazz pianist and vocalist in Durham and a PhD candidate in philosophy at Duke, where she researches social epistemology and the neuroethics of video games. At age seventeen, Yuan left her hometown in China for Charlottesville, Virginia, to finish high school, a move that would eventually lead her to jazz. She earned her bachelor’s degree at William and Mary, where she studied under renowned vocalist Stephanie Nakasian (mother of Veronica Swift). On this episode, Yuan shares about her first encounter with jazz, the mentorship she received from pianist Ed Paolantonio and vocalist Angela Bingham (a past Six Count guest), and her vision for where her music will take her next.

Raleigh-based saxophonist Imraan Khan specializes in Brazilian music, including samba jazz, bossa nova, and Baião. Originally from New York City, Imraan moved to the Triangle in August 2020. He shares his early influences from Caribbean music, straight-ahead jazz, and bebop, as well as the release of his debut album, Começando (2019). In addition to performing throughout Brazil, Cuba, and the United States, Imraan has graced stages at the Montreux Jazz Festival and Jazz à Vienne in France. He also discusses the early mentorship he received from saxophonists Andy Fusco (a former member of the Buddy Rich Big Band) and T.K. Blue, and pianist Richie Iacona. What might surprise most? Imraan is also a motorcyclist who repairs his own vehicles, founder of an IT consulting company, and a member of a Rick James tribute band.

Andrew Berinson and Paul Creel of Thrio returned to Six Count to share about the upcoming release of their second album, Volume 2. The album will be available on streaming platforms on March 21. Volume 2 will feature arrangements of songs composed by Miles Davis, Chick Corea, and Wynton Marsalis, as well as a few of Thrio’s original compositions. Andrew and Paul share about how Thrio has grown since the group’s first album, what went into the making of Volume 2, and what to expect from their latest work. Thrio is a jazz trio featuring Andrew on piano, Paul on bass, and Donovan Cheatham on drums. In addition to performances throughout the Triangle, Thrio hosts the Thursday jazz jam at Bond Brothers Eastside in Cary. The band is planning a pre-release party on March 20 at the bar and concert venue. Six Count first interviewed Three at the Sharp Nine Gallery in fall 2022, following the release of their first album, Volume 1.

Michael Shekwoaga Ode is a Nigerian American drummer, melodist, vocalist, composer, and educator from Durham. The musician sat down with Six Count during his visit home over the holidays. Now based in New York City, Michael leads three bands, and he frequently plays with saxophonist Kenny Garrett, a former member of Miles Davis’s band. Michael plans to release several albums this year across the groups.