Coolness is an admired aesthetic of attitude, behavior, comportment, appearance and style, influenced by and a product of the Zeitgeist. Because of the varied and changing connotations of cool, as well its subjective nature, the word has no single meaning. It has associations of composure and self-control (cf. the OED definition) and often is used as an expression of admiration or approval. Although commonly regarded as slang, it is widely used among disparate social groups, and has endured in usage for generations

Now that we are up to date on that definition, I am here to attest that I witnessed the Art Of Cool this past weekend in Durham, Nc at the Art Of Cool Music Festival.
http://aocfestival.org/

Cool kids and cool cats. Icons and the up and coming were all represented at the festival for their second year.

On their website, http://theartofcoolproject.com/ they state, ” We are a jazz presenting 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization located in Durham, NC. We are dedicated to presenting and promoting live jazz (and related music) in unique venues throughout the Triangle. Our two major programs are Art of Cool Festival and StArt of Cool, a jazz education program. We are the rhythm of the Bull City that connects music and art to people”

Roy Ayers, Anthony Hamilton and Robert Glasper were just a few of the performers who did sets throughout the weekend. Concerts took place at various downtown Durham venues and parks. I had the good fortune of catching MoonChild and Japanese trumpeter Takuya Kuroda at Pinhook Bar on Friday. I also caught a bit of Jessie Boykins III and Robert Glasper at the Durham Armory.

What makes this music festival so unique is that ticket holders can walk to and fro different venues within a 2 or 3 blk radius on any given night. Downtown Durham is in the midst of a mind blowing rejuvenation. Trendy restaurants and bars all around. Even a top notch boutique hotel has opened .This just means that next year guests can expect a bigger and better Art Of Cool Fest.

Enjoy my pics and plan early for next year’s Fest. It should not be missed

Here is a IG short of Moonchild:
https://instagram.com/p/14ZGoQJaRg