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| Pop Music & Jazz |
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Introduction |
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In these listings, we present a selection of
jazz clubs in midtown, downtown and in Harlem. For those
travelling in small groups or who are determined to seek out
the Big Apple's more esoteric jazz haunts, please consult Member
Guide Gordon Polatnick's jazz web site, www.bigapplejazz.com,
or use the search options on page "Find a Guide" to contact guides who can accompany your groups to Jazz clubs. |
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B.B. King Blues Club and Grill |
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Recently opened. In the heart of the new Times Square - on 42nd
Street between 7th and 8th avenues.
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Birdland |
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Spacious room reminiscent of classic jazz and big band night clubs. Comfortable
seating where every table enjoys excellent sight-lines to the stage. A variety
of big bands play during the week including early sets (5:30 - 7:30) on many
evenings. Sundays belong to Arturo O'Farrill’s
Afro-Cuban Jazz Big Band. Mondays have been reserved for
diverse, new artists and ensembles. Tuesdays typically go to
The Famous Duke Ellington Orchestra. Wednesdays through Saturdays expect the best in local
and internationally touring artists. Club located in the Times Square area.
Web: www.birdlandjazz.com
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Iridium |
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Top internationally known artists play six day runs in this plus, newly located room.
Sets at 8:30 and 10:30. with a third set at Midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Located on
Broadway at 50th Street. North of Times Square. Convenient to major midtown hotels.
Web: www.iridiumjazzclub.com
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Jazz Standard |
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A finely appointed basement club with 130 seats featuring straight ahead jazz
artists. A street level lounge and restaurant, 27 Standard, also features
jazz nightly.
In a residential neighborhood north of Gramercy Park.
www.jazzstandard.com
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Swing 46 |
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Dance and supper club featuring live
bands playing Swing and Jump Blues seven nights a week. Each night there
is a dance lesson at 9:15 pm. Sundays
have featured early evening tap classes and legendary hoofer, Buster
Brown's Tap Jam, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Suggested dress code: no jeans
or sneakers but jackets are not required.
Located on "Restaurant
Row" a little West of the Times Square theater district.
Web:
www.swing46.com
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Blue Note |
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Opened in 1981, the Blue Note is arguably the world's most popular jazz club. World renowned musicians take the stage for six day runs, with Mondays usually reserved for excellent local talent. Also features Jazz brunch on Sundays.
Third Street at Sixth Avenue near Washington Square in Greenwich Village
www.bluenotejazz.com
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Village Vanguard |
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Opened in 1935. It is the
archetypal Greenwich Village jazz club that has just the right vibes and an
excellent booking policy. Sets: Sunday - Thursday at 9:30 and 11:30, Friday and
Saturday 9:30, 11:30, and 1:30. Monday nights, the Vanguard Jazz
Orchestra, established by Thad Jones and Mel Lewis over 33 years ago
carries on the big band tradition. Seventh Ave. at 11th St in the heart of the West
Village.
Web: www.villagevanguard.com
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S.O.B's |
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Known originally as "Sounds of Brazil," the club plays host to international bands from Africa, and the Caribbean. Funk, Jazz, Latin, Reggae, and Hip-Hop and more. S.O.B.'s is the place to take in new sights, sounds, and tastes.
Houston Street at Varick Street (7th Avenue South) - just south of Greenwich Village. www.sobs.com
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Knitting Factory |
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This is the granddaddy long legs of downtown jazz venues featuring a genre-bending blend of envelope-pushing and utterly deserving
acts on several intimate stages throughout the deceptively vast complex.
Web: www.knittingfactory.com
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Jazz at Lincoln Center |
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A not-for-profit arts organization promoting the appreciation and understanding of jazz through performance, education, and preservation. With its resident jazz orchestra, and a variety of distinguished guests, the organization produces a wealth of programs for audiences of all ages. These include concerts, national and international tours, lectures, film and workshops.
www.jazzatlincolncenter.org
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Lenox Lounge |
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 Renovated to its 1930's art deco splendor. The Zebra Room, back with its grand piano, tiled floors and leather booths is one of the finest jazz spaces in town. Weekend sets at 10:00, 11:30 and 1:00. Thursday's are for Blues; R & B and jam sessions on Mondays. Located in Harlem's commercial center - Lenox Ave and 125th Street.
www.lenoxlounge.com
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Cleopatra’s
Needle |
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Music from 9 pm - 4 am. No cover. $10. min. per
set. Eclectic menu, big screen sports TV. Weekly showcases with Mondays regularly
featuring the Eric Lewis Trio. Nightly open jams from 2 - 4 am. Open mic for Jazz vocalists every Sunday 1 to 5 pm.
On the Upper West Side. 2485 Broadway at 92nd Street.
Tel: 212 769-6969
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Parlor
Entertainment |
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This is the essence of Harlem jazz -- a rite of passage for all
jazz fans and musicians. Get buzzed up to Apt. #3F, Marjorie,
Ray, and Rudel welcome you into their home every Saturday and Sunday
afternoon at 4:00 to enjoy two sets of standards and original music
provided by a rotating roster of jazz legends and local talent. Marjorie's
living room is absolutely the warmest, most spirited 500 square feet in
all New York. No cover; tip jar; free cookies and punch.
Tel: 212 781-6595 555 Edgecombe Ave, #3F at 160th St.
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St. Nick’s Pub |
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Best Monday night jam session
in the city. The scene gets kicking at midnight. There is a tourist
scene prior to the Monday jam with Patience Higgins and the Sugar Hill
Jazz Quartet driving the festivities beginning at 9:30. For the last
half dozen years, Friday nights have belonged to the Bill Saxton
Trio...highly recommended! Thursday features the club's charming
singing bartender, Arlene Talley. Guest artists frequently stop by to sit
in. Among them: James Carter, Olu Dara, Savion Glover, Reggie
Workman, Wynton Marsalis, Laurel Watson, Etta Jones, even Stevie and Aisha
Wonder.
Tel: 212 283-9728 773 St. Nicholas
Blvd. at 149th Street.
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Showmans |
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A beautiful blending of
the genteel with the earthy soul histories of Harlem can be found in this
well appointed local showcase, home to the greats (e.g.
Sara Vaughan, Lionel Hampton, Duke Ellington, Eartha Kitt) since
1942. (In its current location since August of 1998). A
Hammond B-3 organ graces the stage, and is put to good use by Danny Mixon
-- check the schedule. Soul food appetizers are always
available for the asking. Sets: 8:30 10, 11:30 (Monday-Thursday), 10:30 12:30 and 2:30 (Fridays and Saturdays). Jazz tap dancing on Thursdays.
Tel: 212 684-8941
75 West 125th Street (East of Morningside Ave, next door to the down-home, soul food
mecca: M & G Diner)
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Rose Center for Earth and Space |
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Highly regarded musicians play Fridays at 5:45
and 7:15 inside the absolutely futuristic giant glass box
that New Yorkers once knew as the Planetarium at
the Museum of Natural History. Drinks and tapas are available. This is
the early show to make, especially if you haven't been to the complex. It's one of New York's great indoor spaces.
Web: www.AMNH.org
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Sugar Hill Bistro (aka Renaissance Jazz Lounge) |
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A new addition to Harlem's historic Sugar Hill neighborhood, this fine restaurant/lounge features Jazz from Tuesday-Saturday starting at 9:30 pm.
Tel: (212) 491-5505 458 W 145th St (Amsterdam / Convent Avenues)
Web: www.sugarhillbistro.com
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The Cotton Club |
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Tel: 212 663-7980 666 West 125th Street
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Pop Music Stages |
Top |
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Radio City Music Hall |
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The largest indoor theatre in the world with excellent views from every seat. The annual eight-week Christmas Spectacular has been a sell-out success since its debut in 1933. It is the venue for America's most popular entertainers - past and present. Located in Rockefeller Center. www.radiocity.com
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Beacon Theater |
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A large theater in the residential Upper West Side neighborhood that hosts many folk and rock concerts. Consult www.webtunes.com for event schedule. Broadway at 74th Street Tel: 212 496-7070
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Hammerstein Ballroom |
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The Manhattan Center that hosts Reggai Rap and Hip-Hop concerts. Consult v for event schedule. Located on West 34th Street at 8th Avenue near Madison Square Garden.
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JVC Jazz Festival |
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Annually in June at various concert halls and outdoor spaces. Sponsored by the Japan Victor Company (JVC), manufacturer of consumer electronics. Web: www.festivalproductions.net
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