NEW YORK CITY JAZZ CLUBS

by Andrew Clayman, NYC & CO.

Chris Botti, www.chrisbotti.com

There's no doubt that New York City is where jazz music found its stride: Miles Davis rose to fame in bebop clubs in the '40s; Billie Holiday made hearts melt in Harlem; and Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker wailed on the trumpet and saxophone respectively. Many of NYC's iconic jazz clubs remain as vibrant as ever, and they've been joined by dozens of newer clubs that carry on the tradition of this uniquely American art form. Just as music aficionados once made pilgrimages to New York to see Parker at Birdland or John Coltrane at the Village Vanguard, today's jazz fan has tons of options to catch tomorrow's legends whose genres range from Latin jazz to soul to fusion and countless more sub-genres cutting their teeth on stage tonight.

To help you find your way check out this guide to some of the City's must visit jazz venues - from higher priced fancy spots to casual, more affordable places. Showtimes and cover charges can vary from night to night, so call ahead. You dig?

Village Vanguard • Photo: Willie Davis

Village Vanguard

178 Seventh Ave. South, West Village, Manhattan • 212-255-4037

Whether you're talking history, acoustics or big-name performers, the Vanguard has it all. Opened in 1935, the club has maintained its 130 seat capacity basement. The Vanguard is famous for its great sound which is often credited to the room's triangular shape. John Coltrane, Bill Evans and Wynton Marsalis all recorded legendary live albums at this mecca of bop, a must visit for every jazz fan. Tickets $20–$25; $10 drink minimum per set; showtimes 9pm and 11pm daily, 12:30am on select Saturday night.

Blue Note

131 W. 3rd St., West Village, Manhattan • 212-475-8592

While it doesn't boast the Vanguard's longevity, Blue Note (established in 1981) certainly stands up to the legendary space in terms of quality. Some of the top performers on the planet tread a path through this classy institution. Grammy Award nominated trumpeter and composer Chris Botti, for example, recently completed a three week residency that pays homage to the early days of jazz. Be sure to arrive sooner, not later, as seating here is first come, first served. Tickets $20–$65 per set, $8 for Late Night Groove Series; showtimes 8pm and 10:30pm daily, plus 12:30am on Friday and Saturday nights; Sunday jazz brunch at 12:30pm and 2:30pm.

Birdland

315 W. 44th St., Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan • 212-581-3080

Named for the "Bird" himself—revered saxophonist Charlie Parker— Birdland has gone through several incarnations since its inception 60 years ago. From Midtown to Morningside Heights to its current spacious location in Hell's Kitchen, the club's tagline - "the jazz corner of the world," coined by Parker - still rings true. Diana Krall, Pat Metheny, Dave Brubeck and many more have graced the stage here. In January, acts include Grammy Award nominated vocalist Jane Monheit and De-Lovely and Moulin Rouge singer/actress Caroline O'Connor. In honor of its former spot at 52nd Street and Broadway theatergoers can show ticket stubs for discounts to most 11pm weeknight sets. Tickets $20–$50 per set; $10 food/drink minimum; showtimes 8:30pm and 11pm daily.

Jazz at Lincoln Center

33 W. 60th St., Upper West Side, Manhattan • 212-258-9800

A fancy spot to hear everything from Latin beats to bebop trombonists to unexpected guests like folk rock singer/songwriter Suzanne Vega (performing January 28 at the Allen Room), Jazz at Lincoln Center is home to three distinct venues:

• the 1,233 capacity Rose Theater which typically hosts major national acts;
  
  
  
• the roughly 400 seat Allen Room, whose floor-to-ceiling glass window overlooks Columbus Circle; and
  
  
  
• its smallest, most intimate spot, Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola. Prices and showtimes vary among venues
  
  

Iridium

1650 Broadway, Midtown West, Manhattan • 212-582-2121

Another west side jewel is the new and improved Iridium where late guitar legend Les Paul enjoyed his final weekly residency. Monday is now Les Paul Guitar Tribute night at the club, and the rest of the week features some of the best in classic and modern jazz as well as blues and R&B. Tickets $20–$40 per set (student discounts available); $10 drink minimum; showtimes 8pm or 8:30pm, and 10pm or 10:30pm, daily, plus midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Jazz Standard

116 E. 27th St., Gramercy, Manhattan • 212-576-2232

Situated just below Danny Meyer's acclaimed barbecue joint Blue Smoke, Jazz Standard allows guests to order chili crusted calamari or a pulled pork platter directly from the music haven's upstairs neighbor. And that's just the food. Jazz lovers flock here for the venue's fantastic sight lines and impressive lineups. Mingus Mondays are a favorite when the Mingus Big Band Orchestra or Dynasty (in rotating weeks) tackles the careening rhythms of the late bass master Charles Mingus. Tickets $20–$30 per set; no food/drink minimum; showtimes 7:30pm and 9:30pm daily, plus 11:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Smoke

2751 Broadway, Morningside Heights, Manhattan • 212-864-6662

In the same space near Columbia University that formerly housed Augie's Jazz Bar, Smoke's ultra-intimate setting (the room seats about 50) delivers a first class jazz experience at a fair price with cover charges at less than 10 bucks on most weeknights (and free Sunday brunch shows). The first show of each night is for dinner patrons, and the food/drink minimum is just $10 during the last show of each night, giving you the perfect excuse to sample chef Patricia Williams' artful menu. Prepare to get cozy with your companions and other patrons as the tables are a tight squeeze. The good news? You'll feel like you're sitting with the band as well. Cover $9–$30 (no cover charge at Sunday brunch); $20 food/drink minimum (10pm show); showtimes 8pm, 10pm and 11:30pm; Monday-night jam sessions at 8pm and 9:30pm; Sunday jazz brunch at noon.

Smalls

183 W. 10th St., West Village, Manhatta • 212-252-5091

A throwback to the comfy, communal jazz clubs of yesteryear, Smalls first opened in 1993 and recently returned from a brief hiatus to regain its place as one of New York City's best destinations for up and coming acts. An eclectic collection of stools, plastic chairs and tattered couches lend the feel of a jazz jam session in a friend's basement. Stop by after work—20 bucks gets you in for as long as your heart desires. Cover $20; first show at 7:30pm, second show around 9:30pm and late jam sessions after midnight nightly.

Lenox Lounge

288 Lenox Ave., Harlem, Manhattan • 212-427-0253

The renovated Zebra Room at this landmark Harlem club transports visitors back to the days when Billie Holiday sang here and Langston Hughes was a regular. Lenox Lounge's status as a jazz institution makes this a must visit destination for the midweek house bands or the weekend jazz brunch. Tickets $10–$20; $16 drink minimum; showtimes 8:30pm, 10pm and 11:30pm Fridays and Saturdays, 9:30pm on Mondays and 8pm Tuesdays through Thursdays.

Puppets Jazz Bar

481 Fifth Ave., Park Slope, Brooklyn • 718-499-2622

Brooklyn represents! Along with location, Puppets offers a wealth of potential enticements—free Monday shows, happy hour drink specials every weeknight, a tasty vegetarian menu and an exciting assortment of energetic and experimental performers. Cover $6–$12 (free on Mondays); two-item food/drink (any combo) minimum; showtimes usually 6pm and 9pm daily; jazz brunch at noon on Saturdays and Sundays.

Arthur's Tavern

57 Grove St., West Village, Manhattan • 212-675-6879

The oldest continuously operated jazz club in New York City, Arthur's no longer hosts the Charlie Parkers of the world, but its weekly house bands (both jazz and R&B) have become local legends making this West Village institution one of the best values in the City. For more than 40 years, Mondays at Arthur's have meant the Grove Street Stompers Dixieland Jazz Band, and the six piece combo shows no signs of slowing down. No cover or drink minimum; showtimes vary.

More Jazz Destinations to Consider

55 Bar

Cleopatra's Needle

Jazz Mobile

The National Jazz Museum in Harlem

The Jazz Gallery

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