©JACK VARTOOGIAN FRONTROWPHOTOS

Maria Schneider directs her namesake orchestra at Jazz Standard in New York.

THE MARIA SCHNEIDER ORCHESTRA important to be very authentic.” ni Randy Brecker, Jeff “Tain” Watts and, at the played its first shows at New York’s Jazz Standard In the early years of the club, which opened podium, Gunther Schuller. WBGO broadcast Jan. 19–23, 2000. The shows were a critical and at its 27th Street location in 1997, titans of the event live on NPR’s Toast of the Nation. commercial success. That they yieldedDays Of straightahead piano like Cedar Walton and “I said, ‘If this comes out OK, we should Wine And Roses, the orchestra’s first live record- Tommy Flanagan held forth. In a rare club think about bringing it out as a recording,’” ing, made them historic. date, pianist André Previn appeared with bass- Abramson recalled. Despite challenges— So when Schneider opened her show at the ist David Finck in a performance recorded and not least maintaining momentum—he and club this past Thanksgiving Eve with “Days Of released by Deutsche Grammophon in 2001. Sue Mingus, the co-producers, persevered. Wine And Roses,” there was more than the usual At the same time, a generation of future key- Two years later, Mingus Big Band Live At Jazz holiday cheer flowing among the crowd packed board stars enjoyed early major-club exposure, Standard won the Grammy for Best Large Jazz into the multi-tiered basement space. among them Jason Moran, Robert Glasper and Ensemble album—the first for the group. “I love the proximity of the audience to the Bill Charlap. When it comes to meeting the demands of band,” she said before the first set. “Everybody In time, cultural horizons broadened. “One the market, the club has often been ahead of the is happy to be here. And that makes the band of the things that’s changed is that some of the programming curve. It was, for example, among play great.” most exciting things have come from the Latin the first clubs to abandon the custom of strictly Great playing has never been in short supply jazz side,” Abramson said, citing the work of booking six-night engagements. at the club, though management has over the Miguel Zenón, Yosvany Terry and Dafnis Prieto. “It was a natural evolution and a necessity for years made changes in the extra-musical realm. On the more adventurous side, a high point making things work,” Abramson said. For starters, the definite article was excised from occurred on April 28, 2008, when trumpet- The club’s programming continues to evolve. the club’s name: It is now Jazz Standard, sans er Ambrose Akinmusire, then an up-and-com- Last summer, it launched a Sunday brunch for “the”—a change made after a 2001 renovation er, first mesmerized the audience with a quartet emerging artists. “It went well,” Abramson said, and reopening in March 2002. that included saxophonist Mark Turner, pianist though the brunch lost a bit of steam in the fall With the shorter name came a simplification Aaron Parks, bassist Ben Street and drummer when it switched to Saturdays to make way for in the gastronomic strategy: In the post-9/11 Eric Harland. a pre-existing program for school children, Jazz world, frills were out—and in response, the “He had this aura,” Abramson said. “I saw it for Kids. But, he added, he thinks the Saturday kitchen ditched mainstays like roast pheasant right away—that intangible thing.” brunch can build a loyal audience. with julienned rose-petal sauce for barbeque. The club has become one of the most reliable Meanwhile, the club is still taking risks. In But the programming philosophy hasn’t destinations for large ensembles, including March, Jazzmeia Horn, who hasn’t played as a changed. “For the identity of the club, it’s Schneider’s, Ryan Truesdell’s Gil Evans Project leader at the club, will appear for three nights—a important that the programming is consis- and the Mingus Big Band, which has held down recognition of the buzz surrounding the singer. tent,” said Seth Abramson, the longtime artistic Monday nights since October 2008. Such decisions have often worked to the advan- director. “Whether it’s Latin jazz or straighta- The band held a landmark concert on New tage of the jazz public—and the club. head to more modern, to sometimes pushing Year’s Eve 2009, when it celebrated the 50th anni- “In all likelihood,” Abramson said, “this will the envelope a little bit on more adventurous versary of the classic albums Mingus Dynasty, be our best year to date for the bottom line.” stuff that’s right for the space—within that, it’s Mingus Ah Um and Blues & Roots with alum- —Phillip Lutz

54 DOWNBEAT FEBRUARY 2018 EAST

CONNECTICUT Firehouse 12 45 Crown St. New Haven, CT BIGMETFAN (203) 785-0468 firehouse12.com Located in the historic Ninth Square District, Firehouse 12 boasts a recording studio/75- seat auditorium dedicated to disseminating improvised music. Regional talent and national acts like Tim Berne’s Snakeoil, Nels Cline and Yosvany Terry grace the stage during Firehouse 12’s jazz shows. The Side Door Jazz Club 85 Lyme St. Old Lyme, CT (860) 434-2600 thesidedoorjazz.com The Side Door is more than just a clever The Jazz Gallery in New York name. This club is tucked into the historic Old Lyme Inn, which was given a new lease MASSACHUSETTS Upcoming shows include Bria Skonberg on life with a full renovation a few years (Jan. 20), Monty Alexander (Jan. 26) and Bill ago. The club opened in 2013 with the Chianti Tuscan Restaurant & Jazz Charlap (Jan. 27). goal of bringing world class musicians to Connecticut. Warren Wolf, Dayna Stephens, Lounge Russell Malone and Johnny O’Neal are only a 285 Cabot St. Wally’s Café Jazz Club handful of the acts that have recently played Beverly, MA 427 Massachusetts Ave. the intimate venue. (978) 921-2233 Boston, MA chiantibeverly.com (617) 424-1408 MARYLAND Chianti is a jazz spot with an overriding wallyscafe.com mission. The venue is dedicated to supporting Family run since the late 1940s, this jazz An Die Musik Live! area jazz, an issue championed by the club is focused on jam sessions. Each night, 409 N. Charles St. famous jazz advocate Sandy Berman, who an open mic begins the evening, giving way Baltimore, MD died of cancer in 1991. Six nights a week, to a genre-specific concert. Dubbed “the (410) 385-2638 listeners can catch jazz shows by regional musicians’ training ground,” the owners andiemusiklive.com and national artists. truly aim to prepare the next generation of This venue embraces much more than jazz, musicians for the spotlight. bringing classical and world music shows Lilypad to a historic townhouse in the city. The 1353 Cambridge St. NEW JERSEY lineup juxtaposes the biggest names in jazz, Cambridge, MA like McCoy Tyner, Regina Carter and Bill (617) 955-7729 Robin’s Nest Rhythm & Blues Frisell with less well-known artists. Peabody lilypadinman.com 3103 Tremley Point Rd. students also get a chance to apply their For more than a decade, the Lilypad has been Linden, NJ studies during jam sessions. the place to hear a little bit of everything— (908) 275-3043 music, comedy and even spoken-word robinsnestrhythmandblues.com Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club performances. Jazz acts that recently Going for “great Mississippi feel in the heart 7719 Wisconsin Ave. performed at the venue, which is located in the of New Jersey,” this venue strives to create Bethesda, MD heart of Inman Square, include the Joe Hunt an immersive juke joint experience. Sunday (240) 330-4500 Group and the Tim Miller Quartet. is reserved for a jazz open mic jam session, bethesdabluesjazz.com and there are themed open mic sessions throughout the week. Before transforming into one of the best Regattabar venues in Bethesda, the Blues & Jazz 1 Bennett St. Super Club started life as a late-’30s movie Cambridge, MA Shanghai Jazz palace. The historic Bethesda Theatre is (617) 661-5000 24 Main St. now a glitzy supper club with a seating regattabarjazz.com Madison, NJ capacity of 500, with promoters booking a On the third floor of the Charles Hotel, this (973) 822-2899 range of musicians nearly every night of the 220-seat listening room welcomes a range of shanghaijazz.com week. famous and lesser-known acts. The owners Shanghai Jazz brings an assortment of have been bringing quality jazz to the area music to the 1930s Shanghai themed Caton Castle Lounge & Package since 1985. restaurant six nights each week. The goal Goods is to make customers feel like they’re in 20 South Caton Ave. Scullers Jazz Club the “Paris of the Orient” while listening to Baltimore, MD 400 Soldiers Field Rd. musicians like Claudio Roditi, Jan Findlay (410) 566-7086 Boston, MA and Don Braden. catoncastle.com (866) 777-8932 Canton Castle has an informal atmosphere; scullersjazz.com Trumpets Jazz Club listeners looking for local jazz and blues acts Scullers Jazz Club has a long history 6 Depot Square can feel free to dress casually and immerse as a Boston jazz spot. Now located in Montclair, NJ themselves in the music. Local musicians a DoubleTree hotel the club presents (973) 744-2600 stack the calendar, but bigger-name jazz acts marquee acts on the weekends and local trumpetsjazz.com occasionally stop by. talent on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Jazz is the name of the game five nights

FEBRUARY 2018 DOWNBEAT 55 ANNIE LESSER

(le) Poisson Rouge in New York Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club in Bethesda, Maryland each week at Trumpets, and it’s been that Club Bonafide Iridium way for more than three decades. Blues 212 East 52nd St. 1650 Broadway and classical music are also presented, but New York, NY New York, NY Trumpets is certainly geared toward the jazz (646) 918-6189 (212) 582-2121 lover. Houston Person, John Stowell and clubbonafide.com theiridium.com Don Braden are among the jazz-leaning acts No longer the center of the jazz world, The Iridium bills itself as bringing jazz, rock booked at the club. 52nd Street is still home to venues that and blues to the city, but it’s famous in offer wide-ranging takes on the evolution jazz circles for the exceptional live albums NEW YORK of jazz music. Club Bonafide recently recorded at the venue over the years. presented shows from bands like Snarky Current booking includes rock and pop acts. 55 Bar Puppy spin-off Ghost-Note and the Harry Upcoming shows include Roy Ayers (Dec. 55 Christopher St. Smith Quartet. 26–27), Macy Gray (Dec. 30–31) and Albert New York, NY Lee (Jan. 3–4). Once a month, “Mondays at (212) 929-9883 Cornelia Street Café the House” showcases emerging artists. 55bar.com 29 Cornelia St. Bookers promote a healthy mix of jazz, blues New York, NY The Jazz Gallery and funk at this Greenwich Village basement 1160 Broadway, 5th floor spot. A tasty cocktail is appropriate for a (219) 989-9319 venue that touts itself as “a Prohibition-Era corneliastreetcafe.com New York, NY dive bar.” Legendary guitarist Mike Stern will In business for more than 40 years, this (646) 494-3625 play there on Dec. 31. Greenwich Village spot that is “a culinary as jazzgallery.org well as a cultural landmark,” per a mayoral With a dedication to commissioning new works Birdland proclamation. Bookers stack the lineup with from less-established artists, the owners of 315 W. 44th St. a variety of musical performances as well the Jazz Gallery have created a unique space as readings and a lecture series. Upcoming with a goal of cultivating the next generation of New York, NY shows include Lage Lund (Dec. 29), Tom jazz talent. This small jazz space also tries to (212) 581-3080 Rainey (Dec. 30), Paul Shapiro’s Ribs & book the best jazz musicians out there today birdlandjazz.com Brisket Revue (Dec. 31) and the Andrea mixed with more adventurous programming; Birdland has now risen from the ashes twice, Wolper Quartet (Jan. 3). in November, an evening of Gamelan music and it’s still flying high. The top acts in jazz shared the calendar with gigs by drummer continue to be booked on a nightly basis, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola Johnathan Blake and the big band fueled Jazz just as they were seven decades ago when 10 Columbus Circle, 5th Floor Composers Showcase. Birdland sat a block west from the jazz mecca New York, NY of 52nd Street. John Pizzarelli will have a residency from Jan. 16–20, followed by (212) 258-9595 Jazz Standard Vincent Herring’s residency on Jan. 23–27. jazz.org/dizzys 116 E. 27th St. Bands that frequent the venue include Arturo At Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, the view behind New York, NY O’Farrill’s Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra and the the stage can be breathtaking, but the (212) 576-2232 Birdland Big Band. musicians who perform in front of the floor- jazzstandard.com to-ceiling window overlooking Columbus For nearly a decade, the Mingus Big Band Blue Note Circle are pretty good, too. After nightly has played two sets at the Jazz Standard performances by renowned musicians like each Monday night. The Maria Schneider 131 W. Third St. Steve Nelson, Wycliffe Gordon and Dayna New York, NY Orchestra has a long history with the venue, Stephens, lesser-known acts take over. which has also presented shows by Donny (212) 475-8592 McCaslin, Bill Frisell, Joe Lovano, Matt bluenote.net Wilson and dozens of other major jazz stars. The Blue Note has spread its brand throughout Fat Cat the world, but the New York location still 75 Christopher St. remains the center of the jazz universe. New York, NY (le) Poisson Rouge Everybody who’s everybody has been (212) 675-6056 158 Bleecker St. associated with Blue Note, and the history fatcatmusic.org New York, NY of the venue is intertwined with the history Early birds need not look into the Fat Cat (212) 505-3474 of jazz. These days, listeners can find Chick jam session; four nights a week, the session lpr.com Corea, Jimmy Heath and his big band, Dee Dee begins at 12:30 a.m., and it’s an hour later Le Poisson Rouge rose from the ashes of Bridgewater and other luminaries at the club. on Friday and Saturday. For jazz lovers who the noted jazz club The Village Gate, but Upcoming residencies include Keyon Harrold need more sleep, Fat Cat bookers present that doesn’t mean bookers rely on a steady (Jan. 15–18), Ray Angry with Warren Wolf (Jan. a range of jazz earlier in the evenings diet of jazz acts. The venue highlights a 22–24) and José James (Feb. 5–8) throughout the week. broad range of musicians, with everything

56 DOWNBEAT FEBRUARY 2018 from classical to rock hitting the stage. The Nublu On Sunday through Thursday, admission venue’s jazz shows feature the country’s top 151 Avenue C into the venue Mezzrow includes a pass musicians, such as Wadada Leo Smith and for Smalls Jazz Club (good for the same John Hollenbeck. New York, NY evening). Smalls has recently booked the (646) 546-5206 Akiko Tsuruga Quartet, the Adam Larson nublu.net Quartet and the Mark Whitfield Trio. Mezzrow Nublu is a live music venue, and it’s a record 163 W. 10th St. label, and it presents the Nublu Jazz Festival, Smoke New York, NY which has premiered in New York, São Paulo (646) 476-4346 2751 Broadway and Istanbul. Nublu showcases DJs, jazz New York, NY and rock at 151 Avenue C and at its “classic” mezzrow.com (212) 864-6662 While clarinetist Milton Mezzrow may have location at 62 Avenue C. been the inspiration for the club’s name, smokejazz.com Mezzrow, which is owned by the folks who Even though this 50-seat club isn’t the largest ShapeShifter Lab venue in town, booking agents pack the run Smalls Jazz Club, presents intimate music 18 Whitwell Place with a heavy focus on pianists and duos. On club with huge names. Musicians play there Brooklyn, NY every night of the week. Bill Charlap, Vincent Sunday through Thursday, admission into (646) 820-9452 Mezzrow includes a pass for Smalls Jazz Club Herring and Kenny Washington are among shapeshifterlab.com (good for the same evening). For example, on the recent stars showcased at the venue. Creative Director Matthew Garrison and Sept. 26, fans caught a duo show by Julian The venue owners are involved with the label Director Fortuna Sung have worked to create Lage and Steve Swallow at Mezzrow, then Smoke Sessions Records, and fans can a space that mixes a variety of different headed over to Smalls for a set by the Lucas purchase CDs right at the bar. genres. One night could highlight a Jeff Pino No Net Nonet. Buckley tribute concert, and the next might The Stone feature the jazz group Mostly Other People Avenue C at 2nd St. (until Feb. 2018) Minton’s Do the Killing. 55. W. 13th Street (Feb. 2018 onward) 206 W. 118th St. New York, NY New York, NY SMALLS (212) 488-2705 (until Feb. 2018) (212) 243-2222 183 W. 10th St. thestonenyc.com; newschool.edu mintonsharlem.com New York, NY This non-profit venue was founded by In the 1930s Minton’s Playhouse became (646) 476-4346 musician John Zorn as a space dedicated the go-to place to hear adventurous jazz, smallslive.com to avant-garde and experimental music. and the venue soon rightly earned its place Smalls started as a noted jazz club, a must- After a 13 years on Avenue C, in February in the annals of jazz history. Minton’s is stop haunt for the best musicians, but has the acclaimed venue will move to The New the product of that same pioneering spirit, expanded its reach in the genre with a series School’s College of Performing Arts’ Glass reopening in 2013 to keep the history intact. of live recordings. The Smalls Live record Box performance space in Arnhold Hall. In the The club now presents a range of music label works to capture the fire that happens new partnership, The Stone’s tradition of being acts, with many of them leaning toward the at the club every single night. These concerts an artist-centric venue will continue, and there jazz realm. can also be streamed on the venue’s website. will be increased opportunities for students.

FEBRUARY 2018 DOWNBEAT 57 The Village Vanguard 178 7th Ave. S. New York, NY (212) 255-4037 villagevanguard.com DANIEL SARVER This iconic venue is one of the most famous in jazz history. The noted Vanguard Jazz Orchestra has a running Monday gig, and the rest of the week is reserved for the biggest names in jazz. Musicians like John Zorn, Fred Hersch and Ravi Coltrane all play lengthy residencies at the club. Seemingly everyone from Sonny Rollins and Gerry Mulligan to Barbra Streisand has recorded a live record at the Village Vanguard. The Bad Plus selected this venue for its final shows with pianist Ethan Iverson in the lineup. PENNSYLVANIA Chris’ Jazz Café 1421 Sansom St. Philadelphia, PA (215) 568-3131 chrisjazzcafe.com With an all-ages show policy and discounted tickets for students, Chris’ Jazz Café caters to Lilypad in Cambridge, Massachusetts the next generation of jazz musicians without explicitly spelling out that goal. Weekday shows are reserved for lesser-known talent, The 10-room Deer Head Inn, which markets bluesalley.com and on the weekends, listeners can see jazz “sumptuous” dinner fare and a range of Roberta Gambarini, Arturo Sandoval and luminaries like Pat Martino, Kurt Rosenwinkel local beers on tap, brings a range of jazz Freddy Cole represent the caliber of and Joey DeFrancesco. acts to the Pocono Mountains. Jazz has internationally known jazz musicians Blues been the music of choice at the club since Alley books for multi-night residencies Deer Head Inn 1950, but the inn’s notoriety really started around twice a month. For the remainder of 5 Main St. to build in the 1960s and has grown across its 360-days-of-music schedule, the venue Delaware Water Gap, PA two ownership changes. Concerts, which is packed with local and regional talent (570) 424-2000 have recently included Dave Liebman and covering a variety of genres. The venue has Houston Person, happen Thursday through a 50-year history, and the staff’s devotion deerheadinn.com Sunday nights. to jazz education is particularly impressive. MCG JAZZ KC JAZZ CLUB AT THE KENNEDY 1815 Metropolitan St. CENTER Pittsburgh, PA 2700 F Street NW (412) 322-0800 Washington, D.C. mcgjazz.org (202) 416-8524 Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild has been kennedy-center.org a staple of the Pittsburgh jazz scene for Housed inside the Kennedy Center arts 31 years. During the 13-show season in complex is the KC Jazz Club, which has 2017–’18, musicians like Arturo Sandoval, a 160-seat capacity for seated shows, Earl Klugh and Dee Dee Bridgewater grace and room for 250 for standing shows. the 350-seat music hall. The owners say they Pianist Jason Moran, who serves as the have a mission to “preserve, present and Kennedy Center Artistic Director for Jazz, promote jazz,” which is accomplished through occasionally performs, but he also curates live performances, live concert recordings the programming, bringing a blend of and educational programs. Students can emerging jazz talent and nationally known attend shows at free or discounted rates, musicians. Moran helps bring large jazz and MCG frequently hosts master classes by acts to other performance spaces in touring artists. the Kennedy Center, too. Louis Hayes is booked for the KC Jazz Club on Jan. South Jazz Parlor 19–20, and Eric Harland will play there on 600 N. Broad St. Feb. 9. Philadelphia, PA (215) 600-0220 Twins Jazz Lounge southrestaurant.net 1344 U Street NW This jazz venue is nestled in the highly rated Washington, D.C. South restaurant, which is among the best (202) 234-0072 places to eat in Philadelphia. A weekly jazz twinsjazz.com jam hosted by the Leon Jordan Sr. Trio The original Twins began as a 1980s shares the schedule with routine appearances Ethiopian restaurant in a space where jazz by notable bands like the Warren Wolf Quintet had once ruled supreme. It didn’t take long and Carmen Lundy’s ensemble. for the music to once again take over, and now, after a 2000 relocation to the U Street WASHINGTON, D.C. Corridor, jazz is the main course. Students get half-priced tickets for some Friday Blues Alley concerts. The Ethiopian food is still served, 1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW but patrons can now hear acts like Tim Washington, D.C. Whalen, Joe Vetter, Levon Mikaelian and (202) 337-4141 the Twins Jazz Orchestra.

58 DOWNBEAT FEBRUARY 2018 MICHAEL JACKSON Akinmusire, Aaron Goldberg or Vicente Archer have been known to drop by to hang or jam. Wally’s proudly labels itself a “musicians’ training ground,” and bandstand protagonists of three generations enthusiastically back up the claim. Trumpeter Jason Palmer, a 20-year veteran began his career at this modest forum, said: “The owners are always encouraging, open to my bringing in tunes and musicians. They never told me to play a certain way, and that’s given me freedom to experiment.” Italian trumpeter Cosimo Boni, a Berklee grad student, concurred: “Wally’s just says, ‘There’s jazz or blues or funk tonight.’ So peo- ple come for the music, not for you. It makes you question how to engage the audience and teaches you to read their vibe and atten- tion level. It’s like stand-up: Try your new joke to see if people get it. How’s your tim- ing? Adjust your expectations. Try new tem- pos, sequences.” “Jeremy Pelt introduced me to Wally’s in 1997,” Palmer recalled. “He saw me walking by Berklee to NEC with my trumpet case, had me sit in and call a tune, and took me under his wing. He was rooming with Darren Barrett, now a Berklee colleague. I’ve played there ever since. I hosted Sundays from 2002, and later added Fridays and Saturdays.” He leads 10 p.m. weekend sets currently with Noah Preminger (saxophone), Lee Fish (drums), Max Light (guitar), Domi Degalle (piano) and Simon Willson (bass). Their album of origi- nals recorded live by Jimmy Katz is due out in April on SteepleChase. On a recent night at Wally’s, Boni led a Wally’s Café Jazz Club has served as a training ground for generations of musicians in Boston. quartet through a playful Monk set. “Lately I’ve been working on a concept in lessons with Joe Lovano of cueing the band through my phrases,” Boni said. “This group can react when I turn a ballad into bossa nova or dou- ble-time.” They did that after Boni opened “Ask Me Now” alone. Later Israeli pianist Tom Oren launched a super-slinky “In Walked WALLY’S IS THE WORLD’S OLDEST BLACK- ticing open-handed generosity. “When high Bud” as alto saxophonist Jonathan Goetz owned, continuously operating jazz club. school students from New Jersey attended joined them, and the five played an electric Founded in 1947 by Joseph L. Walcott, Wally’s Berklee’s summer program a few years ago,” “Evidence.” Café Jazz Club is located in Boston’s histor- said Elynor, “they had no housing funds, so Saxophonist Grace Kelly referred to the ic Jazz Corner (Massachusetts Avenue and some stayed with me and our family.” club as “our historic, buzzing home.” She Columbus). Barbados-born Walcott built Since Walcott died in 1998 at age 101, little added, “Sundays with Jason’s band, we’d play Wally’s as an oasis where the black commu- has changed the 20- by 80-foot bandbox. Its originals, go anywhere, everywhere, pick up nity could socialize and listen to bands led by brick wall of photos and tables face a well- on the room’s great energy. It’s a playground Sabby Lewis, Jimmy Tyler, J.C. Higginbotham stocked bar lit brighter than the cramped, to work stuff out—the opposite of pristine and and Alan Dawson, and guests like Sarah low bandstand. Policies stand firm: no cover, sterile.” Vaughan, Oscar Peterson, Roy Haynes, Stan quick service, low-cost name-brand drinks. Bassist Sahil Warsi, who’s from Delhi, led Getz and Coleman Hawkins. The music is usually jazz, but fans might also sets with Andrew DeNicola (alto saxophone), Walcott engaged the community, letting hear salsa, blues or funk. Mitchell Selib (guitar) and Samuël Bolduc school kids practice on the house piano There are three sets nightly, showcasing (drums) and loves Wally’s atmosphere: “In an and hosting neighborhood holiday dinners. young players honing their craft and sea- era where music is increasingly electronic, syn- Daughter Elynor and her sons Paul, Frank and soned pros perfecting it. When in town, thesized and over-produced, it’s good knowing Lloyd Poindexter maintain that commitment Wally’s alumni like the Marsalis brothers, Roy there’s a space where I still get to play raw, messy today, hosting open-minded music and prac- Hargrove, Tim Warfield, Sean Jones, Ambrose tunes.” —Fred Bouchard

FEBRUARY 2018 DOWNBEAT 59 SOUTH

The Maison 508 Frenchmen St. New Orleans, LA (504) 371-5543 maisonfrenchmen.com LARRY COLTHARP On two stages, Maison bookers bring funk and brass bands to a clientele of tourists and locals. Any night of the week, listeners might catch a regional brass band or a touring national act. During dinner hours, traditional jazz is provided until 10 p.m. The Maple Leaf Bar 8316 Oak St. New Orleans, LA (504) 866-9359 mapleleafbar.com Joey Gilmore Band performs at Bradfordville Blues Club in Tallahassee, Florida. This venue has a deep history of jazz presentation. The Rebirth Brass Band plays on Tuesdays, and the rest of the week is reserved for open-mic performances, and FLORIDA given over to a mix of jazz, funk and blues. the weekend routinely features national jazz Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts talent, such as Christian McBride, Kenny 1905 Kentucky Ave. Garrett and Gretchen Parlato. Palm Court Jazz Café Winter Park, FL 1204 Decatur St. (407) 636-9951 LOUISIANA New Orleans, LA bluebambooartcenter.com (504) 525-0200 Ignacio Berroa, Selwyn Birchwood, the Fred Blue Nile palmcourtjazzcafe.com Hughes Trio: This diverse array of artists is 532 Frenchmen St. Palm Court packs its music offerings with typical of the bookings at the Blue Bamboo New Orleans, LA traditional jazz five nights per week. The Center for the Arts, which also has a gallery (504) 948-2583 French Quarter venue pairs its regionally space. In addition to music, the venue bluenilelive.com appropriate jazz with local cuisine. presents dance, theater and spoken-word Here at one of the oldest clubs on Frenchmen performances. Live shows happen most Street, listeners can hear an assortment Preservation Hall nights of the week. Bill Cunliffe will perform of traditional New Orleans jazz and more 726 St. Peter St. with his trio on March 3. contemporary fare. There are two stages, and New Orleans, LA shows take place six nights a week. (504) 522-2841 Bradfordville Blues Club preservationhall.com 7152 Moses Lane d.b.a Preservation Hall is one of the most famous Tallahassee, FL 618 Frenchmen St. venues in New Orleans, so visitors will likely (850) 906-0766 New Orleans, LA contend with quite a few tourists during the bradfordvilleblues.com (504) 942-3731 multiple sets each night. The Preservation This venue has colorful history as a dbaneworleans.com Hall Jazz Band is the big name in the lights barbeque establishment that presents live This club has been firmly planted in New here, but the venue also books a range of music. The club is a bit out of the way—it’s Orleans jazz lore for about two decades. local and national acts. It’s an all-ages venue. situated among fields and oak trees outside Patrons come here to get a dose of local jazz Tallahassee—so it’s a scenic trip. Upcoming and blues, with performances by artists such Prime Example shows include Johnny Rawls (Feb. 14) and as Hot Club of New Orleans, the Treme Brass 1909 N. Broad St. James Armstrong (Feb. 17). Band and Walter “Wolfman” Washington. New Orleans, LA (504) 701-9007 Heidi’s Jazz Club Fritzel’s European Jazz Pub primeexamplejazz.com 7 North Orlando Ave. 733 Bourbon St. Local acts perform at this “jazz, blues and Cocoa Beach, FL New Orleans, LA food” venue throughout the week. Tuesday (321) 783-4559 (504) 586-4800 nights are reserved for jam sessions. heidisjazzclub.com fritzelsjazz.net Founded in 1992 to foster the jazz For authentic Dixieland and New Orleans jazz SNUG HARBOR JAZZ BISTRO scene on Florida’s Space Coast, Heidi’s music, Fritzel’s is the place. Founded in 1969, 626 Frenchmen St. presents local and regional jazz acts every Fritzel’s is situated in an 1830s building. The New Orleans, LA Wednesday through Sunday. Each week is Dukes of Dixieland will play on Dec. 31. (504) 949-0696 capped off with a jam session. Artists who snugjazz.com have performed at the venue include Bria Jazz Playhouse For more than three decades, Snug Harbor Skonberg, Larry Coryell and Allan Harris. 300 Bourbon St. has welcomed a veritable who’s who of New Orleans, LA jazz artists. Music happens every night of GEORGIA (504) 553-2299 the week. Delfeayo Marsalis’ Uptown Jazz sonesta.com/us/louisiana/new-orleans/ Orchestra plays on Wednesdays. Velvet Note royal-sonesta-new-orleans/jazzplayhouse 4075 Old Milton Pkwy. Formerly called Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Spotted Cat Alpharetta, GA Playhouse, the venue, which is situated in 623 Frenchmen St. (855) 583-5838 the Royal Sonesta Hotel, cut ties with the New Orleans, LA thevelvetnote.com trumpeter in the fall of 2016. That ended a (504) 943-3887 The Velvet Note, located a 30-minute drive seven-year residency with the trumpeter. spottedcatmusicclub.com from midtown Atlanta, is now the only jazz Today, the club books acts like Gerald French With three different bands playing each club in the metro area. Thursday nights are and the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band. night, the Spotted Cat buzzes with activity.

60 DOWNBEAT FEBRUARY 2018 Meschiya Lake & The Little Big Horns and The 1980s. Much of the week is reserved for club- New Orleans Cottonmouth Kings have both music fare, but jazz still has a presence at this played extensively at the club. Memphis institution. Three Muses The Jazz Cave 536 Frenchmen St. 1319 Adams St. New Orleans, LA Nashville, TN (504) 252-4801 (615) 242-5299 3musesnola.com nashvillejazz.org Chef Daniel Esses makes sure that the food The Jazz Cave is the performance arm of the at Three Muses is as good as the brass bands Nashville Jazz Workshop, which offers vocal and New Orleans jazz the club presents. and instrumental classes. The NJW hosts more than 40 shows a year, with top local and Tipitina’s visiting jazz artists swinging by the Jazz Cave, 501 Napoleon Ave. featuring an 80-seat listening room. New Orleans, LA (504) 895-8477 Rudy’s Jazz Room tipitinas.com 809 Gleaves St. The owners of Tipitina’s see music as one of Nashville, TN Louisiana’s greatest assets; to back up that (615) 988-2458 philosophy, they created a foundation that rudysjazzroom.com supports music education. The venue itself This new jazz club has quickly become a key is a city staple, providing local, regional and spot for jazz fans and musicians in Nashville. national artists with a place to play for an The club is named after the late saxophonist enthusiastic audience. The 2018 bookings Rudy Wooten. Every week, the Wooten include Maceo Parker (Feb. 9) and Dweezil Wednesday performance is assembled by Zappa (May 13). Regi Wooten. (His siblings Victor Wooten and Roy “Futureman” Wooten have been known to sit in.) Jeff Coffin has played the club, and MISSISSIPPI the Jason Marsalis Vibes Quartet is booked Ground Zero Blues Club for Jan. 9. 387 Delta Ave. Clarksdale, MS TEXAS (662) 621-9009 groundzerobluesclub.com Carmen’s De La Calle Live music happens at Ground Zero, 320 North Flores which is owned by Morgan Freeman, every San Antonio, TX Wednesday through Saturday. Befitting a (210) 281-4349 club that sits at the birthplace of Delta blues, carmensdelacalle.com blues is king at this club. Blues aficionados This Spanish restaurant hosts jazz nights on will want to check out the Delta Blues Thursdays. Friday is reserved for flamenco, Museum, located next door. with world music on Saturdays. NORTH CAROLINA Cezanne 4100 Montrose Blvd. Beyù Caffé Houston, TX 341 W. Main St. (832) 592-7464 Durham, NC cezannejazz.com (919) 683-1058 Jazz only happens at Cezanne on Friday beyucaffe.com and Saturday nights, but for a $10 cover, With an open mic on Wednesdays and listeners can hear the best regional and local Latin-flavored music on Thursdays, this jazz musicians around. club offers a wide swath of musical activity. Big-name acts occasionally drop by; in the past, the club hosted a presentation of Gerald Elephant Room Clayton’s Piedmont Blues. 315 Congress Ave. Austin, TX (512) 473-2279 SOUTH CAROLINA elephantroom.com THE JAZZ CORNER Gigs by the acts like John Fedchock Quartet, 1000 William Hilton Pkwy. Ephraim Owens and Red Young Quintet Hilton Head Island, SC are representative of the calendar at the (843) 842-8620 Elephant Room, a basement bar. Bookers are thejazzcorner.com dedicated to a wide variety of jazz and blues The Jazz Corner, open since 1999, provides acts. Admission is free on weekdays, and fans with the best regional jazz and national there’s a small cover charge on the weekend. acts. Jazz artists throughout the Southeast journey to the club for gigs; Atlanta musicians SCAT JAZZ LOUNGE are featured prominently each month. 111 W. 4th St. Fort Worth, TX TENNESSEE (817) 870-9100 scatjazzlounge.com Alfred’s on Beale Promising “a vibe that only exists in our 197 Beale St. dreams or maybe in the movies,” this club Memphis, TN is located in the basement of the historic (901) 525-3711 Woolworth building. It presents music six alfredsonbeale.com nights a week, mostly booking local and Alfred’s has been on Beale Street for more regional musicians, but national acts do drop than 30 years, setting up shop in the mid in from time to time.

FEBRUARY 2018 DOWNBEAT 61 blocks north of downtown. In 2008 it opened at its current address, 806 S. Plymouth Court, in a side building of the old Dearborn Street railroad station. Wayne Segal,

MICHAEL JACKSON who been spent the previous decade booking a Showcase offshoot called Joe’s Bebop Café at tour- ist destination Navy Pier, designed the new place. “I wanted it to look like the only home we ever had,” he says of the 170-capacity club. He accomplished that with soft lighting, seating at small tables and strategically placed, cushioned sofas, a horseshoe bar and tall cocktail tables in the rear. Hanging on plush red curtains over a broad stage with a Steinway grand piano is a huge photo of Parker, who looks like he’s eval- uating what’s happening. Other decorative ele- ments include an equally large portrait of Duke Ellington on a side wall, as well as images of Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Thelonious Monk, Dexter Gordon, Johnny Griffin, Art Blakey—all of whom played the Showcase—and Showcase posters from past decades. Cutout caricatures of musicians line the foyer, readying attendees who pay a $20 cover or use student and Jazz Institute of Chicago mem- ber discounts to have a good time. “When they walk up to the music room entrance,” Wayne said proudly, “and see all the history and the music starts, it’s magical. The place has a good vibe.” Musicians think so, too. “I always look for- ward to singing at the Showcase,” affirmed vocalist Dee Alexander, whose quartet with pianist Miguel de Cerna, bassist Junius Paul and drummer Ernie Andrews played a week in December. “One of the reasons is what it stands Melissa Aldana onstage at the Jazz Showcase in Chicago for, as a pivotal place in Chicago music, histori- cally. So many great artists have come through it—whenever Betty Carter was there, I’d be sit- ting in the front row.” Since opening at Plymouth Court, Joe and Wayne Segal have worked closely together on bookings. Wayne estimated the ratio of nation- THE CIRCULAR LOGO OF THE JAZZ nights a week, including Sunday matinees. ally touring acts to local groups is 70 to 30. Multi- Showcase reads, “Where Jazz Lives in Chicago,” The venue has long been renowned locally instrumentalist Ira Sullivan, one of the few stars with “Since 1947” added under an illustra- and internationally as a shrine, haven and labo- of Joe Segal’s generation remaining active, vis- tion of a trumpeter and saxophonist wailing ratory for serious music. Over the course of seven its from his Florida home every August to head- against the city’s skyline. This medallion tells decades, there have been changes, of course, line the Showcase’s Charlie Parker Month, while the story: Touring stars and local artists alike including a higher profile for Wayne Segal, Joe’s recent younger attractions have included Robert have been presented under the Jazz Showcase son, as manager of the club. Glasper, Catherine Russell, Joey DeFrancesco banner for 70 years, since founder Joe Segal put “Joe is the Jazz Showcase, but I’ve always and Jon Irabagon, with Roy Hargrove coming for on shows featuring then-emerging players— been in the background, keeping things run- New Year’s. Chicago artists who frequently per- Charlie Parker among them—as a student at ning,” said Wayne, who is in his early 60s. “When form there include keyboardists Robert Irving Chicago’s Roosevelt College. I started [circa 1970], I was driving around III and Dave Gordon, drummers Xavier Breaker At age 91, Segal—who was honored as a 2015 town putting up posters, which was frustrating and Dana Hall, saxophonists Pat Mallinger and National Endowment of the Arts Jazz Master because someone would follow behind me slap- Juli Wood, trumpeters Corey Wilkes and Victor and is the author of a recently published autobi- ping up their posters over ours.” Garcia, and guitarists George Freeman and ographical scrapbook titled Stay On It! (Chicago In those days, the elder Segal presided over Mike Allemana. Jazz Publishing)—can still be found sitting at his Showcase in a basement of the Happy “I have a million things to do for the club the entrance of his club, poking his head inside Medium theater on the Rush Street entertain- from the moment I wake ’til we close after our to listen, sometimes announcing the acts and ment strip. Earlier Showcase productions were 10 p.m. show,” Wayne Segal said. “But that’s OK. urging customers to return soon. Bebop and held in others’ clubs and rented spaces; later I like the music, I’ve learned a lot about the busi- hard-bop, his favorite jazz styles, are often pre- the Showcase had lengthy runs in a ballroom of ness and it’s such a great joy to be able to work sented at the Showcase, which offers music seven the Blackstone Hotel and a spot of its own a few with my father.” —Howard Mandel

62 DOWNBEAT FEBRUARY 2018 MIDWEST MICHAEL JACKSON

Drummer Dana Hall performs at the Green Mill in Chicago. ILLINOIS Dave Rempis is the president of the board. Its space in the Avondale/Logan Square ANDY’S JAZZ CLUB neighborhood has presented jazz musicians 11 E. Hubbard St. such as Rempis, Joe McPhee and Tim Stine. Chicago, IL (312) 642-6805 The Green Mill andysjazzclub.com 4802 N. Broadway Ave. Since 1977, local, regional and nationally Chicago, IL known jazz musicians have played at Andy’s. (773) 878-5552 Pharez Whitted will lead the jam session every greenmilljazz.com Sunday night in January and February. This famed Chicago jazz spot programs the top-notch local and touring musicians. Jazz is B.L.U.E.S. featured every night of the week, and artists 2519 N. Halsted St. run the jazz gamut. The Fat Babies has a Chicago, IL standing gig on Tuesdays. Recent performers (773) 528-1012 have included Matt Ulery and Matt Wilson. chicagobluesbar.com Bues fans at this club can hear artists like The Iron Post Vance “Guitar” Kelly and Claudette Miller. 120 S. Race St. Wednesday is the night for blues jams. Urbana, IL (217) 337-7678 Buddy Guy’s Legends facebook.com/theironpost 700 S. Wabash Ave. The Jeff Helgesen Quintet plays at this bar Chicago, IL and grill once a month on Fridays, and the (312) 427-1190 University of Illinois jazz bands make the Iron buddyguy.com Post a frequent performance spot. Bluesman Buddy Guy will play 16 shows in January 2018 at his namesake club, with Jazz Showcase opening acts such as Bobby Rush, Eric Gales 806 S. Plymouth Ct. and Toronzo Cannon. The rest of the year, Chicago, IL emerging and national blues grace the stage. (312) 360-0234 jazzshowcase.com Constellation Russell Malone, Roberta Gambarini, Donald 3111 N. Western Ave. Harrison and Carmen Lundy are just some Chicago, IL of the headliners who have performed at the (312) 555-5555 Jazz Showcase recently. Joe Segal, who constellation-chicago.com founded the club, was the recipient of the Started in 2013 by drummer Mike Reed, 2015 A.B. Spellman NEA Jazz Masters Award Constellation is a space dedicated to for Jazz Advocacy. Trumpeter Roy Hargrove progressive and contemporary music, and his quintet will play an extended presenting jazz, classical and avant-garde residency from Dec. 26 to Jan. 7. works. Upcoming shows include Tom Rainey’s trio with Ingrid Laubrock and Mary Kingston Mines Halvorson (Jan. 27), Thurston Moore (Feb. 10) 2548 N. Halsted St. and Tigran Hamasyan (Feb. 28). Chicago, IL (773) 477-4646 Elastic Arts kingstonmines.com 3429 W. Diversey Ave., #208 Since 1968, scores of blues musicians have Chicago, IL graced the Kingston Mines stage. The blues [email protected] jam with Linsey Alexander happens on Elastic Arts is a non-profit organization that Sunday nights. Performers in January will develops and hosts concerts, exhibitions include Corey Dennison and Shawn Holt & and multi-arts performances. Jazz musician The Teardrops.

FEBRUARY 2018 DOWNBEAT 63 SPACE Cliff Bell’s 1245 Chicago Ave. 2030 Park Ave. Evanston, IL Detroit, MI (847) 492-8860 (313) 961-2543 evanstonspace.com cliffbells.com SPACE brings a wide variety of world-class This club has spotlighs local and regional jazz music to Evanston, located just north of musicians, and the occasional internationally Chicago. Upcoming shows include Stacey known artist, such as James Carter. Kent (Feb. 10), the Charlie Hunter Trio (March 21) and the Billy Cobham Band Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe (March 29). 97 Kercheval Ave. Gross Pointe, MI 210 Restaurant & Live Music (313) 882-5299 Lounge dirtydogjazz.com 210 Green Bay Rd. Patrons flock to the Dirty Dog for jazz in an Highwood, IL old English pub atmosphere. This charming (847) 433-0304 venue hosts local, regional and international 210restaurant.com jazz artists. Past performers include Wayne This restaurant, located in the Chicago Shorter, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Pat Martino, suburb of Highwood, presents jazz, blues and Cyrille Aimée, Stanley Jordan, Tia Fuller and other styles of music Wednesday through Sean Jones. The Charles Boles Quartet plays Sunday. On Feb. 1, The Bad Plus will perform. a dinner performance on Tuesdays. Winter’s Jazz Club Jazz Café at Music Hall 465 N. McClurg Ct. 350 Madison St. Chicago, IL Detroit, MI (312) 344-1270 (313) 887-8500 wintersjazzclub.com jazzcafedetroit.com Winter’s presents jazz six nights a week. The The Jazz Café at Music Hall features a range venue seats about 150, so jazz listeners are of music. In November, MundoMetal, a jazz- in intimate surroundings to see musicians like rock group, shared the calendar with a poetry the Dana Hall Trio. session and the Dave McMurray Trio. The jazz jam session, presented in cooperation with the Metro-Detroit Jazz Workshop, INDIANA happens on Mondays. Chatterbox Jazz Club 435 Massachusetts Ave. Kerrytown Concert House Indianapolis, IN 415 N. 4th Ave. (317) 636-0584 Ann Arbor, MI chatterboxjazz.com (734) 769-2999 In addition to booking shows, the venue kerrytownconcerthouse.com also offers jazz hopefuls scholarship money This concert venue is a literal house that’s to the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana been transformed into a 110-seat space to University via the Dick Dickinson Jazz spotlight a wide range of music. Home to the Scholarship. renowned Edgefest jazz festival, the venue also presents classical and folk music. THE JAZZ KITCHEN 5377 N. College Ave. MINNESOTA Indianapolis, IN CROONERS LOUNGE & SUPPER CLUB (317) 253-4900 6161 Highway 65 NE thejazzkitchen.com Minneapolis, MN The Jazz Kitchen hosts a free jam session (763) 760-0062 on Mondays and a variety of jazz-leaning croonersloungemn.com music throughout the week. Upcoming shows include The Bad Plus (Jan. 26) and Jason Crooners celebrates and pays homage to Marsalis (Jan. 28). the era when Sinatra ruled the airwaves, America’s best restaurants served “Continental Cuisine” and patrons dressed MICHIGAN up when dining out. The venue has received Baker’s Keyboard Lounge accolades from Fodor’s Travel, Trip Advisor, and OpenTable. Local artists perform nightly, 20510 Livernois Ave. including nationally recognized acts such as Detroit, MI Davina & The Vagabonds. (313) 345-6300 theofficialbakerskeyboardlounge.com Dakota Jazz Club This 99-seat club with a piano-shaped bar 1010 Nicollet Avenue presents jazz and other genres of music. Minneapolis, MN 55403 (612) 332-5299 Bert’s Market Place dakotacooks.com 2727 Russell St. Where does a concert by The Bad Plus share Detroit, MI calendar space with Leo Kottke, the Rebirth (313) 567-2030 Brass Band and Melissa Manchester? The bertsentertainmentcomplex.com 33-year-old Dakota Jazz Club, which books a This club hosts jazz Wednesday through variety of genres. The club can pack in about Friday, with blues taking over on the 350 fans. Upcoming shows include Sergio weekend. Located in Detroit’s Eastern Mendes (Feb. 23), Donny McCaslin (Feb. Market District, Bert’s is billed as a soul food 28), Delfeayo Marsalis (March 1) and Cécile restaurant/cocktail lounge/theater. McLorin Salvant (March 7).

64 DOWNBEAT FEBRUARY 2018 Jazz Central Studios Joshua Redman, Jane Monheit and Freddy Nighttown 407 Central Ave. SE Cole. Most artists perform for extended stays. 12387 Cedar Rd. Minneapolis, MN Cleveland, OH (612) 520-1066 Murry’s (216) 795-0550 jazzcentralstudios.org 3107 Green Meadows Way nighttowncleveland.com On Sundays, this nonprofit venue hosts a $5 Columbia, MO For more than 50 years, the bookish Nighttown jam session with Cole Mahlum; the following (573) 442-4969 (it’s named for the red-light district in James day, the weekly jam session is chaired by that murrysrestaurant.net Joyce’s Ulysses), has presented jazz, rock and night’s featured guest. The venue also books The owners of Murry’s tout their eclectic world music in surroundings modeled after turn- regional and local talent, including the Twin menu and “little regard for protocol,” saying of-the-century New York pubs. Performers have Cities Latin Jazz Orchestra. this 30-year-old venue has become a jazz included the Ernie Krivda Fat Tuesday Big Band and food institution. Solo jazz piano reigns and the Sammy DeLeon Latin Jazz Sextet. on Monday through Thursday starting at 7 MISSOURI p.m. Trios and small ensembles take over The Blue Room on Saturdays. The “We Always Swing” jazz WISCONSIN 1616 E. 18th St. series brings in nationally known artists. The Jazz Estate Kansas City, MO Recent performers include Bobby Watson 2423 N. Murray Ave. (816) 474-8463 and René Marie. The Billy Childs Quartet Milwaukee, WI plays on Jan. 28. club.americanjazzmuseum.org (414) 964-9923 Kansas City’s American Jazz Museum is jazzestate.com a jazz-lover’s dream. The museum’s jazz OHIO Hosting local and regional jazz and jazz-adjacent collections and educational outreach events BLU JAZZ+ music, the Jazz Estate has been operating since are underscored by its performance space, 47 E. Market St. 1977. It’s open seven days a week. The Bobby The Blue Room. The venue features free jam Akron, OH Broom Trio visited in December. sessions on Mondays. (330) 252-1190 blujazzakron.com Jazz Gallery Center for the Arts Ferring Jazz Bistro BLU Jazz+, which is open Wednesday 926 E. Center St. The Harold & Dorothy Steward Center for Jazz through Saturday, is a combination photo Milwaukee, WI 3536 Washington Avenue gallery/jazz spot that mainly features local (414) 374-4722 St. Louis, MO and regional musicians. The BLU Jazz+ riverwestart.org (314) 571-6000 Masterclass Foundation is committed to The goal of the Riverwest Artists Association, jazzstl.org jazz education endeavors. Nationally known which runs this venue, is to “foster reflective, Tucked in the Harold & Dorothy Steward Center artists are booked at the club, too, with past innovative, and proactive art to enrich and for Jazz, this 200-seat venue hosts the cream of performances by JD Allen, Fred Hersch, Chris stimulate our community.” The organization the jazz crop. While the center is a home base Potter and Terell Stafford. Upcoming shows presents local musicians and other events in for educational and community engagement including Huntertones (Jan. 21) and Becca an art-gallery setting. Jazz jam sessions occur programs, the bistro spotlights artists like Stevens (Jan. 26). on Tuesdays.

FEBRUARY 2018 DOWNBEAT 65 WEST

everyone from Oakland School for the Arts students to touring musicians. YOSHI’S OAKLAND 510 Embarcadero West

DYNAMITE SOCIETY Oakland, CA (510) 238-9200 yoshis.com COURTESY BACH DANCING & A second location, which was in San Francisco, is no longer in business, but the original Yoshi’s has been presenting world-class jazz in Oakland area since the 1970s. Listeners know Yoshi’s is the spot for Japanese cuisine matched with the best touring musicians on the scene today. There’s live music every night. Upcoming shows Billy Hart (right) performs in a quartet at Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society in Half Moon Bay, California. include Poncho Sanchez (Jan. 26–27) and Stanley Jordan (Feb. 16).

ARIZONA “Greenwich Village jazz club experience” with SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA “wine country ambiance.” And it all happens Elliott’s On Congress on the first floor of the 1800s Napa Valley The Baked Potato 135 E. Congress St. Opera House. The programming includes 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. Tucson, AZ jazz, rock and other genres. Upcoming shows Studio City, CA (520) 622-5500 include Brian Culbertson (Dec. 29–31), Spoon (818) 980-1615 elliottsoncongress.com (Jan. 15) and Lee Ritenour (Feb. 16–17). thebakedpotato.com On Tuesday nights, blues fans in Tucson Open nightly for jazz, this venue has been can head to Elliott’s to hear Tommy Tucker. KUUMBWA JAZZ CENTER presenting local and national music for nearly 320 Cedar St. 50 years. Upcoming shows include Jeff The Nash Santa Cruz, CA Lorber Fusion (Jan. 12–13), Vivino Brothers 110 E. Roosevelt St. (831) 427-2227 (Jan. 17) and Brian Charette (Jan. 31). Phoenix, AZ kuumbwajazz.org (602) 795-0464 More than 40 years ago, organizers Blue Whale 123 Astronaut E. S. Onizuka Street #301 thenash.org founded the 200-seat Kuumba Jazz venue This downtown venue is owned by Jazz to bring touring jazz acts and educational Los Angeles, CA in Arizona, a nonprofit organization. The programming to the area. The center also (213) 620-0908 Nash hosts a mix of touring acts and local runs a jazz summer camp, brings artists bluewhalemusic.com players, with a dedication to nurturing student to area schools and hosts a scholarship While listeners hear live jazz from a variety of musicians. Jam sessions happen on Sundays. program. Upcoming shows include Jason performers, they can also scope out art in the Marsalis (Jan. 22), Katie Thiroux (Jan. 29) and adjoining gallery. Steve Coleman, Jen Shyu, Pastiche Julian Lage (Feb. 19). Nicole Mitchell and Anthony Wilson all played 3025 N. Campbell Ave. the Blue Whale recently. Tucson, AZ Savanna Jazz (520) 325-3333 1189 Laurel St. Catalina Bar & Grill 6725 W. Sunset Blvd. pasticheme.com San Carlos, CA Weekends are given over to jazz at this (415) 624-4549 Los Angeles, CA restaurant, which is located right down the savannajazz.com (323) 466-2210 street from the University of Arizona campus. This venue books artists and runs the catalinajazzclub.com Savanna Jazz Agency. There’s a sports bar This is a supper club with “old-world charm” in the front of the establishment, and there’s that is dedicated to presenting a who’s who jazz room in the back. Guitarist/vocalist of jazz musicians. Catalina books acts like NORTHERN CALIFORNIA Pascal Bokar frequently hits the stage. Adam Ben Ezra, Lizz Wright and Gordon BACH DANCING & DYNAMITE Goodwin’s Big Phat Band. SOCIETY Sequoia Room 311 Miranda Road 444 N. Main St. LOBERO THEATRE Half Moon Bay, CA Fort Bragg, CA 33. E Canon Perdido St. (650) 726-4143 (707) 964-3400 Santa Barbara, CA bachddsoc.org northcoastbrewing.com/calendar (805) 963-0761 This prized jazz haunt presents jazz, world On Friday and Saturday nights, jazz takes lobero.com music and classical performances on Sunday over in the North Coast Brewing Company’s The Lobero Theatre, which is closing in on its afternoons. As a nonprofit, the Bach Dancing Sequoia Room. Owners book a range of local, 150th birthday, has a rich musical past. In & Dynamite Society has spent more than half a regional and national talent. The Edward the middle of last century, the venue began century hosting shows by artists such as Lew Simon Trio is booked for Jan. 13. showcasing jazz. These days, bookings run Tabackin and Jeremy Pelt at the picturesque the musical gamut. The jazz series includes Douglas Beach House. The Sound Room artists like Charles Lloyd and Arturo Sandoval. 2147 Broadway Blue Note Napa Oakland, CA Upstairs at Vitello’s 1030 Main St. (510) 496-4180 4349 Tujunga Ave. Napa, CA soundroom.org Studio City, CA (707) 880-2300 The Sound Room is the concert arm of the (818) 769-0905 bluenotenapa.com Bay Area Jazz and Arts organization. In vitellosjazz.com Blue Note Napa bills itself as a mix of the the performance space, owners welcome A club above a famed Italian restaurant,

66 DOWNBEAT FEBRUARY 2018 the venue hosts a variety of acts—music, the void created by the closing of the venue comedy, and everything in between. At Jimmy Mak’s. Upcoming shows include Upstairs at Vitello’s, listeners will find a blend Jason Marsalis (Jan. 18) and bluesman of local and regional pop-leaning bands, but Tinsley Ellis (Feb. 23). jazz musicians also stop by. Jo Bar & Rotisserie Vibrato Grill Jazz 715 NW 23rd Ave. 2930 N. Beverly Glen Circle Portland, OR Los Angeles, CA (503) 222-0048 (310) 474-9400 jobarpdx.net vibratogrilljazz.com Presenting diners with “wood-oven-fired and Conceived by trumpeter Herb Alpert and with spit-roasted fare,” Jo Bar also usually books a dress code of “L.A. smart casual,” this spot jazz on Wednesday and Friday evenings and presents jazz, classic rock and pop. Much on the weekends. of the calendar, which is full of music every week, is reserved for local and regional acts. Wilfs Restaurant & Bar 800 NW 6th Ave. COLORADO Portland, OR Dazzle Jazz (503) 223-0070 1512 Curtis St. wilfsrestaurant.com Primarily booking jazz on Wednesday through Denver, CO Saturday nights, the occasional regional (303) 839-5100 or local act will perform on Mondays or dazzlejazz.com Tuesdays. The bookings include jazz as well Although Dazzle Jazz moved to its new as classical-crossover music. location in May 2017, the club has been a Denver staple for two decades. With the move, owners recently added a small retail WASHINGTON section for jazz record sales. Tuesday nights Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley are reserved for jam sessions, with jazz 2033 Sixth Ave. brunch sessions on the weekends. Upcoming Seattle, WA shows include Nate Birkey (Dec. 30), Diane (206) 441-9729 Schuur (Jan. 16–17) and Billy Childs (Jan. 25). jazzalley.com Founded more than 30 years ago, Dimitriou’s El Chapultepec has become the nexus for jazz in the 1962 Market St. city, hosting the biggest musicians when Denver, CO they come through town. Roy Hargrove (303) 295-9126 and Russell Malone are familiar faces at thepeclodo.com Dimitriou’s. Upcoming shows include the Visitors to Denver in the mid-1930s would Chick Corea Trio (Feb. 1–4), Mindi Abair (Feb. have seen El Chapultepec sitting on the same 13–15), Joey Alexander (Feb. 22–25) and Dr. corner on Market Street. The venue is the Lonnie Smith (Feb. 27–28). oldest jazz and blues club in Denver, and it offers Mexican food. Mondays are reserved Egan’s Ballard Jam House for an open jazz jam. 1707 NW Market St. Seattle, WA Nocturne (206) 789-1621 1330 27th St. ballardjamhouse.com Denver, CO By day, Egan’s serves as an all-ages (303) 295-3333 rehearsal and workshop space. At night, local nocturnejazz.com and regional talent performs and holds jam Jazz comes to Nocturne five nights each sessions. When there is an entrance fee, it’s week. The club books artists for eight-week usually $10. Occasionally, touring acts will runs so the musicians can focus “on the command a higher cover and a minimum. exploration of a musical icon, the study of a particular era or genre of jazz, or their own The Royal Room original works.” 5000 Rainier Ave S Seattle, WA NEW MEXICO (206) 906-9920 theroyalroomseattle.com Outpost When local jazz players perform at the Royal 210 Yale Blvd. SE Room, there’s never a cover; the musicians Albuquerque, NM “are compensated by your donations.” (505) 268-0044 Bookers bring a variety of music to the outpostspace.org Royal Room, presenting all-ages shows This venue presents more than 100 shows next to events like the Jazz Night School, an each year. In addition to booking a wide educational set of shows and master classes. variety of acts, Outpost Productions, which is a nonprofit, hosts educational programs. Tula’s 2214 Second Ave. OREGON Seattle, WA (206) 443-4221 The Jack London Revue tulas.com 529 SW 4th Ave. Tula’s books regional and national jazz talent Portland, OR each night of the week. As one of the venues (866) 777-8932 for the annual Earshot Jazz Festival, the jacklondonrevue.com dinner spot/listening room has become an This intimate performance space helps fill integral part of the busy Seattle jazz scene.

FEBRUARY 2018 DOWNBEAT 67 Sun of Goldfinger bandmates David Torn (left), Ches Smith and was formerly known as the “Fledermaus Bar,” dat- Tim Berne perform at the jazz club Porgy & Bess in Vienna, Austria. ing back to Johann Strauss II’s operetta classic. At the time, the notion and gumption of bringing international jazz musicians through Vienna was a unique enterprise, apart from Jazzland’s efforts

ECKHART DERSCHMIDT in that direction. The current location of Porgy & Bess, as of 2000, involves rooms dating back to mid-19th century theater groups. “Porgy & Bess is my favorite club in Europe,” said reedist Dave Liebman, one notable American musician who has played the venue many times. “The reasons are simple, but not so easily attainable, unless there is a care and con- cern that things are done correctly. Porgy is run like a business with excellent backline equip- ment, a great piano and even good food. The Vienna audience is one of the most sophisticated in the world. Do you think it is because Vienna was the center of Western music for years?” Liebman added that, as a passionate founder and emotionally invested owner, Huber “takes care of business and respects the musicians and Jazz Thrives in Vienna the music. You really get a true feeling of inter- IN TERMS OF MUSIC HISTORY, IT IS IMPOS- At the inception of Jazzland, Melhardt said, est in what you are playing. The Porgy schedule sible to understate the importance of Vienna. “I was mainly into traditional jazz but with at reflects our present period of musical eclecticism Its storied history includes the groundbreak- least a small inclination toward Charlie Parker, with featured projects from all over the world.” ing work of Haydn in the late 18th century; Dizzy, Adderley and early Coltrane—they were Liebman has played with many Viennese Beethoven, Mozart and Schubert in the early the avant-garde in those days. [Musicians] tried musicians over the years, including a decades- 19th century; the populist superstars of the to find a new place to perform and they looked deep relationship with drummer Wolfgang Johann Strauss clan (Jr. and Sr.), waltz-royalty for someone who would be able to bring old and Reisinger. He said that “the level of musicianship in the late 19th century; Mahler in the roman- new jazz together, and they found me.” Early is beyond the norm, and again, with such a rich tic-cum-modern era; and the revolutionary bookings included Ben Webster and Albert tradition and concerts all over Vienna, seeming- “Second Viennese” school of 12-tone architect Nicholas. ly on a daily level, it couldn’t but be that way in Arnold Schönberg and protégés Alban Berg and As Melhardt admitted, “Since my personal this historical cultural center.” Anton Webern in the 20th century. taste begins with country blues and ends with Porgy & Bess, which celebrates its 25th anni- Lesser known is the city’s vitality as a center Coltrane’s Blue Trane, the program of Jazzland versary in 2018, also gains traction and network- of jazz activity and support systems. Within the is more ’20s to ’50s than recent styles.” He recog- ing power through working closely with a circuit past half century, two primary jazz clubs—the nized that, across town, Porgy & Bess is “a very of other major clubs in Europe, through its con- city’s oldest continuous venue, the more tradi- good avant-garde club.” nection with the European Jazz Network (EJN). A tional-oriented Jazzland (founded in 1972) and As a recent example of the avant-garde com- “member card” system, launched in 1994, enables the world-renowned, programmatically adven- ponent of Porgy’s program, last November’s holders to gain access to other clubs, such as the turous Porgy & Bess (established 1993)—have calendar featured John Zorn, whose appear- Jazzhouse in Copenhagen, Denmark; Stadtgarten been significant club hubs, featuring musicians ances there included a marathon of his epic in Cologne, Germany; Bimhuis in Amsterdam, from the States, Europe and elsewhere, while “Bagatelles” project in 2016. the Netherlands; Moods in Zurich, Switzerland; numerous other clubs, such as the Blue Tomato, As Huber noted, the 400-capacity club is and Unterfahrt in Munich, Germany. keep the scene buzzing. Meanwhile, the Vienna “officially called ‘Jazz & Music,’ [which] means One of the city’s most celebrated artists—the Jazz Festival is a draw for artists and fans from that jazz is in the center, but there are also a lot late Joe Zawinul (of Weather Report fame)—got around the world. of concerts in the category ‘& Music,’ which into the Vienna jazz club scene late in life with Jazzland’s founding director, Axel Melhardt, can be electronic, contemporary serious music, his venue Birdland (2004–2008), named after his noted that in Vienna, “the jazz audience is better singer/songwriter, etc. We program traditional famed tune and running until shortly after his than ever. Besides the Porgy and Jazzland, there Americans, [such as] Benny Golson, Ron Carter death. As Huber said, “For me, it was very import- are about eight to 10 other venues with jazz and and Houston Person, avant-garde veterans like ant that he play Porgy & Bess before opening surrounding types of music.” Cecil Taylor, Archie Shepp or Pharoah Sanders, Birdland, which he did in 2003—three nights— But the jazz-club pulse here was not always straightahead players like Joshua Redman and after nearly 50 years after playing with [Austrian thus. As Melhardt explained, when Jazzland Branford Marsalis or modern players like Steve pianist] Friedrich Gulda. opened its doors in ’72, the jazz club options were Lehman and Rudresh Mahanthappa.” “In the opening week of Birdland, we had limited, with the Storyville Club offering trad jazz A few layers of Viennese history are Pharoah Sanders scheduled at P&B. After the and early swing, after the closure of other venues. entrenched in Porgy & Bess’ history. Its origin Sanders concert, we went with him to Birdland, Porgy & Bess co-founder Christoph Huber story, starting in 1993, goes back to when the where he joined Joey DeFrancesco. That was our commented that “of course, Vienna is associat- famously multi-tasking Swiss-turned-Viennese gesture. Vice versa, Zawinul showed up at P&B ed with Mozart, Beethoven, Mahler, Schönberg, musician Mathias Rüegg, the mastermind and regularly when he was in town. He was a great etc., but we also had a saxophone titan named leader of the venturesome big band known as the musician and a great human being.” Hans Koller.” Vienna Art Orchestra, launched the venue in what —Josef Woodard

68 DOWNBEAT FEBRUARY 2018 INTERNATIONAL

nights a week. Touring acts from the United States, like Lew Tabackin and Scott Hamilton, play extended residencies when in town. PORGY & BESS Riemergasse 11 Vienna 43 1 512 88 11 COURTESY NARDIS JAZZ CLUB porgy.at Celebrating its 25th birthday in 2018, Porgy & Bess books international jazz stars touring through Austria. Upcoming shows include Marc Ribot (Jan. 26), Dave Liebman (Jan. 27), David Murray (Feb. 10), Tim Berne (Feb. 12) and Chris Potter (March 1). Nardis Jazz Club in Istanbul, Turkey STOCKWERK JAZZ ARGENTINA The Sound Lounge Jakominiplatz 18 Notorious City Road and Cleveland St. Graz Av. Callao 966 Chippendale, New South Wales 43 316 821433 Buenos Aires 61 2 9351 7940 stockwerkjazz.mur.at 54 11 4813 6888 sima.org.au An inviting and intimate café serves as the Affiliated with the Sydney Improvised Music notorious.com.ar entrance to this upstairs club, which has been Association, this 120-seat lounge books jazz Programming music every night of the week, presenting jazz for more than two decades. acts on Fridays and Saturdays. this venue also offers listeners a record store Upcoming shows include The Kandinsky in the front, and a café in the back. Effect (March 9), JD Allen Trio (March 14) and VENUE 505 Canada Day Quartet (March 22). Thelonious Club 280 Cleveland St. Surry Hills, New South Wales Treibhaus Jerónimo Salguero 1884 04 19 294 755 Buenos Aires Angerzellgasse 8 54 11 4829 1562 venue505.com Innsbruck Started in 2004, Venue 505 (in the Sydney thelonious.com.ar 43 512 572000 area) is part of a performing arts one-two treibhaus.at Founded in 2000 by two jazz lovers inspired punch: While Venue 505 is dedicated to This club is actually a functioning by the feel of New York nightclubs, this venue promoting jazz and other music six nights a greenhouse, so the moniker Treibhaus, presents music four nights a week. week, its sister venue, the Old 505 Theatre, which is German for greenhouse, is more presents theater productions. On Jan. 26–27, than just a clever name. The performance the venue presents Bandaluzia Flamenco with AUSTRALIA features jazz and other genres. Bennetts Lane Paco Lara & Chachy Peñalver. 25 Bennetts Lane BRAZIL Melbourne, Victoria AUSTRIA 61 412 063 570 Blue Tomato Blue Note Rio facebook.com/bennettslane Wurmsergasse 21 Av. Borges de Medeiros, 1424, Lagoa Bennetts Lane continues to adapt to Vienna Rio de Janeiro changing circumstances. After a temporary 43 1 985 5960 55 21 3577 4477 closure in 2015, ownership has changed bluetomato.cc bluenoterio.com.br hands, and the club is primed for a In 2017, Blue Tomato celebrated its 35th year The Blue Note Rio is part of an extended resurgence. The owners are slated to open in business—a lengthy run for a jazz club. It network of Blue Note clubs, which are also a new space at the Grand Hyatt complex on has showcased a jazz, classical and other located in New York; Napa, California; Flinders Lane. genres. The duo of Joe McPhee and Paal Honolulu, Hawaii; Milan; Beijing; Tokyo; Nilssen-Love performed there recently. and Nagoya, Japan. Upcoming shows at Elixir Tapas Bar the Blue Note Rio include Eliane Elias (Jan. 92 Abbott Street 12–13), Joyne Moreno (Feb. 1) and Eumir Jazzit Deodato (April 6–7). Cairns, Queensland Elisabethstraße 11 61 406 534 996 Salzburg facebook.com/ElixirBarCairns 43 662 883264 Bourbon Street Music Club This location, which was formerly was Pop Rua dos Chanés, 127 – Moema jazzit.at São Paulo & Co, presents music Wednesdays through Jazzit has presented avant-garde jazz in Sundays. Two Fridays a month are reserved Salzburg for more than four decades. Today 55 11 5095 6100 for a local jazz trio, while the Sunday shows the promoters book local, national and bourbonstreet.com.br spotlight blues artists. international groups like the Benjamin Schmid The aim of this club is to bring the food, spirit Jazz Quintet and the Jazzit Trio. and sounds of New Orleans to Brazil. Besides Foundry616 jazz, the club also books pop and rock acts. 616 Harris Street Jazzland Ultimo/Sydney Franz Josefs-Kai 29 The Maze 02 9211 9442 Vienna Rua Tavares Bastos 414/66 foundry616.com.au 43 1 533 2575 Catete Founded in 2013, Foundry616 is a relative jazzland.at Rio de Janeiro newcomer to the scene, but it’s made quite As a venue entering its 46th year of operation, 55 21 2558 5547 a splash already. Michael Griffin’s Thelonious Jazzland, which operates out of a 500-year- jazzrio.com Monk Octet and the Michael Gordon Bebop old cellar, holds the title as the oldest jazz Where else can music lovers get totally Band have played at Foudry616. club in Austria. Live music is presented six immersed in the music, sleeping and eating

FEBRUARY 2018 DOWNBEAT 69 RANDY COLE

There’s not a great distance between the patrons and musicians at Montreal venue Dièse Onze.

LISTENERS WHO WANT TO EXPERIENCE eight years ago. Impressed with the ambiance a great job making musicians feel at home,” jazz in Montreal would be well advised to check but disappointed by the service, he pointed out Bellegarde said. out the talent on tap at Dièse Onze. The intimate to the owner that “the manager had no smile,” Mentored by American-born bassist Skip venue has become a key part of the Montreal jazz and was soon hired to take over operations. Bey, Bellegarde had been leading jam sessions at scene. Established in 2006 at 4115-A St. Denis, When Tremblay took ownership of the club various Montreal establishments for well over a the semi-basement venue—whose French name in 2014, it was with the intention of transform- decade before taking the gig at Dièse Onze. “The translates to “sharp 11,” a musical reference with ing it into a jazz institution. “I was a little hesi- problem had always been finding venues that an especially hip connotation—presents two sets tant when I took over,” he recalled. “I had already had a good vibe, which I think is super import- of high-quality music every night. been working 80- to 100-hour weeks, and knew ant for a good jam,” he said. “It was a no-brainer The club’s proprietor, Gary Tremblay, makes there was a lot of work to be done. But I really dug for me to finally get to do it in a proper jazz club.” an effort to offer his clientele diverse pro- the vibe. I was involved in the local jazz scene, “The common thread of our clientele is that gramming. On Mondays, the club is heated and believed in it. So I decided to give it a go.” they are all real music lovers, whether they’re 18 up with Trabuco Habanero, featuring artists Seeing the club as a long-term project, he or 90,” Trembley noted. Starting in January, he from Montreal’s Latin jazz scene. Tuesdays are envisioned it as a venue with the highest stan- will begin a major renovation, moving the stage reserved for a weekly jam session led by bass- dards—both musical and culinary. “Every cent and raising the banquettes to enhance the audi- ist Alex Bellegarde, running late into the night. of profit since then has been re-invested into the ence’s experience. Wednesdays are Soul Therapy Night, hosted club,” Tremblay continued, noting Dièse Onze’s Dièse Onze partners with L’OFF Festival de by The Brooks collective. Thursdays feature a superior sound system, a new house drum kit, Jazz de Montréal, and this past October pre- monthly spotlight. Fridays and Saturdays show- a Kawai piano and a completely re-equipped sented multiple shows during the fest, includ- case mostly local, and some international, art- kitchen serving world-class cuisine. ing alto saxophonist Jason Stillman’s Quartet. ists. And Sundays are vocal jazz jam nights, host- The club’s weekly jam session has been led by The venue also hosts its own series as part of the ed by singer Kim Richardson. Bellegarde, a mainstay of Montreal’s jazz scene, Montreal Jazz Festival. During the 2016 edition Raised in Montreal, Tremblay grew up lis- for the past eight years. The evening traditional- of that massive fest, Dièse Onze drew an inter- tening to Jimmy Smith, Marvin Gaye and Miles ly begins with a set by Bellegarde’s trio with an national crowd for sets from a quintet co-led Davis. As a young man, he worked as a DJ and a invited guest—on the night of DownBeat’s visit, by trumpeter Ingrid Jensen and saxophonist clerk at a record store with a significant jazz sec- it was Bulgarian saxophonist Tihomir Krastev. Christine Jensen. tion. Later he studied computer-assisted sound That’s followed by an open jam that draws pro- “Montreal is a jazz city—always has been,” design and business management. He went on to fessional musicians (frequently including out-of- Tremblay said. “There used to be a late-night set, manage several establishments, covering book- towners), university students and devoted hob- running till 2 a.m. And I want to bring it back.” ing and sound, until walking into Dièse Onze byists with its welcoming vibe. “Gary has done —Sharonne Cohen

70 DOWNBEAT FEBRUARY 2018 at the same location where the music CHINA happens? This three-decades-old bed and breakfast is also an art gallery. Plus, the Fringe Club owner hosts a monthly jazz night. 2 Lower Albert Road, Central Hong Kong CANADA 852 2521 7251 hkfringeclub.com DIÈSE ONZE For nearly 35 years, the Fringe Club (a 4115-A St. Denis former dairy show) has been presenting a Montreal range of jazz and other music, as well as (514) 223-3543 performing arts events, in Hong Kong. dieseonze.com Dièse Onze, which celebrated its 10th COSTA RICA birthday in 2016, presents two shows a night, every day of the week. The schedule Jazz Cafe highlights the best local jazz musicians Carretera Interamericana mixed with international artists. Past San Pedro, Montes de Oca Canton featured artists have included Harold 506 2253 8933 Mabern and Ben Monder. The vocal jam jazzcafecostarica.com happens on Sundays, and Tuesdays are This 220-seat club is often filled with reserved for an instrumental jam session. tourists, locals and expats. The owners book jazz, pop, rock and comedy shows. Frankie’s Jazz 765 Beatty St. CZECH REPUBLIC Vancouver, British Columbia AghaRTA Jazz Centrum (604) 688-6368 Zelezna 16 frankiesitaliankitchen.ca Prague The Coastal Jazz and Blues Society books 420 222 211 275 acts at Frankie’s four nights a week. The agharta.cz Vancouver Legacy Jazz Orchestra has held A smooth-jazz ensemble, a vocal jazz trio, a Gerry Mulligan tribute night at this club. a modern ensemble and a straightahead group are representative of the diversity of L’Astral bookings at this Old Town club. The venue 305 Ste. Catherine St. W. also hosts Prague Jazz Festival shows. Montreal, Quebec (514) 288-8882 The Jazz Dock sallelastral.com Janackovo Nabrezi 2 Presenting more than just jazz, L’Astral has Prague focused on bringing quality live music to 420 774 058 838 Montreal since 2009. Artists who have played jazzdock.cz L’Astral include the Orchestre National de The Jazz Dock is an extremely literal place— Jazz, Sass Jordan, the Simon Denizart Trio this club is on the edge of the Vltava River, and Sleigh Bells. offering a beautiful backdrop to the music. Julian Lage and forward-leaning European The Rex Jazz & Blues Bar jazz musicians typify the club’s offerings. 194 Queen St. W. Toronto, Ontario Lucerna Music Bar (416) 598-2475 Vodi kova 36 therex.ca Prague This hotel/jazz venue, which has been in operation 420 224 224 537 since 1992, books local, national and international musicbar.cz acts on a nightly basis. Jazz ensembles from the The owners’ first inclination isn’t to book University of Toronto frequently take the stage. jazz, as this venue leans toward more rock and pop acts, but intrepid listeners can find Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill improvised music at the venue. 1254 MacKay St. Montreal, Quebec DENMARK (514) 931-6808 upstairsjazz.com Copenhagen Jazzhouse This venue has been a vital part of the Niels Hemmingsens Gade 10 Montreal scene for more than two decades. Copenhagen The club showcases McGill University jazz 45 3315 4700 students twice a week, chairs two jam jazzhouse.dk sessions each week, and books local and Jazz trio The Necks, who performed at the international talent on the weekends. Jazzhouse recently, epitomize the club’s mission of “a place for experiments.” The Yardbird Suite venue hosts these jazz experiments a few 11 Tommy Banks Way times each month. Edmonton, Alberta (780) 432-0428 Jazzhus Montmartre yardbirdsuite.com St. Regnegade 19A Yarbird Suite has been helping shape Copenhagen Edmonton’s jazz scene since 1957, and 45 70 20 20 96 the venue has been in its current location jazzhusmontmartre.dk for three decades. Yardbird Suite, which Jazzhus has been bringing top-quality jazz hosts jam sessions each Tuesday and a to Copenhagen audiences since 1959. Canadian jazz festival in November, is the The venue served as the European base headquarters of the Edmonton Jazz Society. of operations for Dexter Gordon and Ben

FEBRUARY 2018 DOWNBEAT 71 Land.” Le Caveau sits in a building originally constructed in the 1500s, but the club itself has only been around since 1946. New Morning 7-9 Rue des Petites Écuries Paris

COURTESY JFC JAZZ CLUB 33 1 45 23 51 41 newmorning.com While it has presented jazz since its founding more than 30 years ago, the venue now hosts rock, funk and hip-hop acts. Jazz stars come here for short residencies. Le Piano Barge Allée Loïc Caradec, 56000 JFC Jazz Club in St. Petersburg, Russia Vannes 33 2 97 47 76 05 Webster. Nowadays, the club hosts a wide The Vortex pianobarge.com variety of music, but focuses on jazz. 11 Gillett Square Le Piano Barge allows jazz listeners to have London a fine dining experience on a permanently ENGLAND 44 20 7254 4097 docked boat overlooking the Marle River. vortexjazz.co.uk The venue presents funk acts and improv The 606 Club theater. 90 Lots Road This small, not-for-profit club has been a London London staple for more than 20 years. The 44 20 7352 5953 owners book contemporary jazz and hold a Sunset-Sunside jam session each Sunday. The London Jazz 60 Rue des Lombards 606club.co.uk Orchestra has a long-running residency Paris Opened in 1976 as a basement venue, the here. 606 Club moved above ground in the late 33 0 1 40 26 46 60 1980s to a space that has ample room for sunset-sunside.com listeners to catch 10 bands each week. The FINLAND Monday night jam sessions draw musicians venue rarely books visiting acts, choosing Rytmihäiriöklubi / Juttutupa to this venue, which has been open for instead to focus on the London scene. nearly 35 years. During the week, European Säästöpankinranta 6 and French jazz dominates, though Helsinki Cafe OTO international acts are occasionally booked at 358 20 7424240 this famous club. Enrico Rava is booked for 18–22 Ashwin St. juttutupa.com Jan. 18–19. Dalston The Juttutupa restaurant is the oldest of its London kind in Helsinki, and the owners claim its 44 20 7923 1231 legacy goes back to the 1880s. The 20-year- GERMANY cafeoto.co.uk old club inside presents jazz and blues, with A-Trane This venue is a café by day and a club an emphasis on young Finnish musicians. 1 Bleibtreustraße St. by night. Bookers highlight an array of Berlin avant-garde styles, include jazz, rock and Storyville 49 30 3132550 experimental music. Museigatan 8 a-trane.de Helsinki For more than 25 years, A-Trane has been Jazz Cafe 358 50 363 2664 presenting European and international jazz 5 Parkway storyville.fi artists. The venue also serves as one of the London A century ago, excess mixed with hot jazz main spots for Jazzfest Berlin. Upcoming 44 20 7485 6834 was the norm in New Orleans’ Storyville shows include Lionel Loueke & Céline thejazzcafelondon.com district, and this Helsinki spot aims to re- Rudolph (Jan. 16), the Fly Trio (Jan. 21) and Seven nights a week, the Jazz Cafe books create some of that festive vibe. Hosting Bernhard Meyer (Jan. 31). jazz, hip-hop, pop and blues artists. music four nights a week until 4 a.m., the venue books jazz, swing, blues and rock. Aufsturz PizzaExpress Jazz Club Oranienburger Straße 67 10 Dean St. FRANCE Berlin London 49 30 2804 74 07 44 20 7437 9595 Duc Des Lombards aufsturz.de pizzaexpress.com 42 Rue des Lombards Aufsturz opened its doors in 2004, hoping At this venue, jazz and pizza are a natural Paris to bring a heavy dose of jazz to the pairing. The actual club is nestled right below 1 4233 2288 community—along with a weekly swing PizzaExpress restaurant, and the music lineup ducdeslombards.fr dance party, complete with lessons. Aufsturz is anything but cheesy. The Kenny Werner The Kenny Werner Trio, Mark Turner and boasts a 100-selection beer menu. The club Trio recently appeared at the club. Marquis Hill recently performed at this venue. also serves as a gallery space and a lecture When not booking international jazz talent, hall. Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club the club fills its six-nights-a-week music 47 Frith St. calendar with jazz talent from throughout B-Flat London Europe. Dircksenstraße 40 44 20 7439 0747 Berlin ronniescotts.co.uk Le Caveau de la Huchette 49 30 2833 123 What the venerated Village Vanguard is to 5 Rue de la Huchette b-flat-berlin.de New York City, Ronnie Scott’s is to London. Paris Modern jazz, soul, r&b—this jazz-leaning Jazz, blues and jazz-leaning rock musicians 33 1 4326 6505 club has it all. Touring musicians and play every night of the week at this legendary caveaudelahuchette.fr local acts take the stage each night of the venue, which has been in operaion since Aiming for a Cotton Club vibe, the Le Caveau week, with Wednesdays reserved for jam 1959. Upcoming shows include the Brubeck de la Huchette features nightly jazz music sessions. Recent performers include the Brothers (Jan. 11–14), Kurt Rosenwinkel (Jan. that is perfect for dancing. Need proof? Eden Bareket Trio and the Heiko Fischer 15) and Django Bates (Jan. 30). The venue was featured in the film “La La Quartett.

72 DOWNBEAT FEBRUARY 2018 Jazz im Prinz Karl are jam sessions three nights a week and Gradmann Weg 7 classical music every Sunday. Tübingen 07 07 1376 01 ISRAEL jipk.net Beit Haamudim Fred Hersch and Chris Potter recently played Rambam 14 this venue, which has been presenting top- Tel Aviv notch jazz for more than 40 years. 972 3 510 9228 facebook.com/BeitHaamudim Jazzkeller The best Israeli jazz musicians play Betit Kleine Bockenheimer Str. 18a Haamudim every night of the week. Frankfurt Vegetarian fare is served in this small clib. 49 69 288537 jazzkeller.com Shablul Jazz It’s been more than six decades since Airport Hangar 13 trumpeter Carlo Bohländer founded Tel Aviv this basement space. Local artists and 972 3 546 1891 international acts are presented five nights a week. Ernie Watts performed in shabluljazz.com December. Upcoming shows include the Blues, reggae, pop, jazz—it’s all presented Uta Dobberthien Quintet (Jan. 20), the at the Shablul, which has been active in the Jesse Davis Quartet (Jan. 23) and Juliana community for more than a decade. Jazz Da Silva (Jan. 25). is still prominent at the club, and it comes mostly via regional and European acts. Quasimodo Kantstraße 12A ITALY Berlin Alexanderplatz 49 30 318 045 60 Via Ostia, 9 quasimodo.de Rome Quasimodo may have started out as a jazz- 06 39 06 8377 5604 dominant spot five decades ago, but over alexanderplatzjazzclub.com the years, bookers started promoting a wider The oldest jazz club in Italy, Alexanderplatz range of acts. But Quasimodo remains one of has been presenting jazz to locals and the main Berlin jazz spots. tourists at its home near St. Peter’s Basilica for more than 30 years. Local and regional Stadtgarten jazz musicians are frequently featured. Venloer Straße 40 Köln Cantina Bentivoglio 49 0221 952994 0 Via Mascarella, 4/B stadtgarten.de Bologna Stadgarten encompasses both a concert 39 051 265416 hall and a smaller performance area. While cantinabentivoglio.it the primary focus is jazz, some of the shows This small jazz venue presents jazz nearly branch out into other genres. Among the stars every night. Barry Harris and the Smalls Club who’ve played Stadtgarten are Jimmy Heath, All Stars performed at the club during the Bill Frisell and Theo Bleckmann. Bologna Jazz Festival. Unterfahrt Jazz Club Ferrara Einsteinstrasse 42 Via 167, Rampari di Belfiore Munich Ferrara 49 0 89 448 27 94 39 0532 171 6739 unterfahrt.de jazzclubferrara.com Sunday is jam-session day at Unteffahrt, a jazz Programming at this venue is heavy on venue that also serves as an art gallery. Recent the jazz. Situated within St. John’s Tower, performers included the Dusko Goykovich Big this club has presented jazz since 1999. Band, the Yosuke Onuma Quartet and Dieter Ilg Monday nights are reserved for jam Trio B-A-C-H. sessions. GREECE La Salumeria Della Musica Half Note Jazz Club Via Pasinetti 4 Trivonianou 17 Milan Athens 39 02 5680 7350 30 21 0921 3310 lasalumeriadellamusica.com halfnote.gr For about two decades, this venue has Greek jazz musicians always have a home at been booking emerging jazz artists, the Half Note, which presents music nearly established Italian jazz talent and touring every night of the week. In addition to jazz, international musicians. Pop and rock acts the owners also book blues and world music. also play here. HUNGARY Tramjazz Departs from the Porta Maggiore plaza Budapest Jazz Club Rome Hollan Erno Utca 7 3 39 6 334 700 Budapest tramjazz.com 36 70 413 9837 A cable car serves as the evening’s venue, bjc.hu as patrons are served a meal, given a tour of This venue aims to support jazz youth. There Rome and offered a jazz concert.

FEBRUARY 2018 DOWNBEAT 73 each Wednesday night. The musicians are mainly from New Zealand; occasionally the venue will feature an international guest.

ANGEL SAINOS NORWAY Victoria Nasjonal Jazz Scene Karl Johans Gate 35 Oslo 47 23 89 69 23 nasjonaljazzscene.no/en This 300-person club is a great place to hear a blend of local and regional musicians mixed with international jazz stars, such as David Murray, Mike Stern and the Nels Cline Four. PORTUGAL Louise Phelan Quintet performs at La Casa del Mendrugo in Puebla, Mexico. HOT CLUBE DE PORTUGAL Praca de Alegria 48 Lisbon JAPAN MEXICO 351 21 346 0305 hcp.pt Alfie Jazz House La Casa del Mendrugo In 1948, broadcaster Luis Villas-Boas founded 6-2-35 Roppongi Calle 4 Sur 304, Centro Histórico the original club to foster the Portugese jazz Hama Roppongi Bldg. 5F Puebla de Zaragoza, Puebla scene. In 2009, the music had to move when Tokyo 52 222 232 5148 the club was hit with extensive water damage 81 3 3479 2037 casadelmendrugo.com from flooding. In the relatively new space, jam facebook.com/pages/ Live jazz is at the center of La Casa del sessions are held every Tuesday. Alfie/147192971998741 Mendrugo, but it’s certainly not the only Owners book mostly local musicians in this thing this venue has to offer. It also has a full RUSSIA intimate venue, which was founded by the restaurant, a museum and an art gallery. late drummer Motohiko “Toko” Hino. IGOR BUTMAN JAZZ CLUB Zinco Jazz Club 21, Verkhnyaya Body And Soul Calle Motolinia 20, Centro Radischevskaya St. 6-13-9 Minamiaoyama Mexico City Moscow Tokyo 52 55 5512 3369 7 (495) 792-21-09 81 3 5466 3348 zincojazz.com butmanclub.ru Igor Butman, the most famous saxophone bodyandsoul.co.jp In December, the Zinco Big Band shared the player to come out of Russia, owns his Presenting local jazz music six days a calendar with the Dannah Garay Quinet and a namesake club in Moscow. At the venue, week for two shows each night, Body And tribute concert celebrating Amy Winehouse. he showcases Russian jazz, but also books Soul serves as an advocate for Tokyo Programming at Zinco may run the gamut huge stars from the States, such as Christian jazz musicians. International touring acts from pop to jazz, but the club’s dedication to McBride, Chris Potter and Ron Carter. occasionally stop into the club. improvised music is unmistakable. Downbeat THE NETHERLANDS JFC Jazz Club Miyamoto Bldg, 2F 1-43 Shpalernaya St. 33 BIMHUIS St. Petersburg Yokahama Piet Heinkade 3 045 241 6167 7 812 272 9850 Amsterdam jfc-club.spb.ru yokohama-downbeat.com/index.html 31 20 788 2150 You’ve got to be doing something right if Russia-based musicians from various bimhuis.com genres flock to JFC to perform. The venue you’ve been presenting jazz in Tokyo since Since 2005, when it moved to a modern the mid-1950s. This venue has built a great showcases New Orleans style jazz, along with building right on the water, Bimhuis has rock, blues and avant-garde music. jazz legacy in an intimate setting. been a crowning jewel among European jazz venues. Bimhuis presents more than 300 Jz Brat concerts each year, billing local, European and SCOTLAND 26-1 Sakuragaokach international artists. Jam sessions happen each The Jazz Bar Shibuya Tuesday. Upcoming shows include the Marcin 1A Chambers Street Tokyo Wasilewski Trio (Jan. 31), Mike Reed’s Flesh Edinburgh 81 03 5728 0168 & Bone (Feb. 3) and the Charles McPherson 44 0 131 220 4298 jzbrat.com Quartet (March 8). thejazzbar.co.uk Jz Brat focuses on jazz—for example, the The Jazz Bar programs r&b, soul, rock and recent appearance of Jun Saito and Hiroyuki Jazz Cafe Alto jazz. One of the more inventive running gigs is Wanatabe’s Drum Talk—but ownership Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 115 the World Premiere Quintet, a Saturday night presents rock, hip-hop and r&b. Amsterdam show during which a random selection of five jazz-cafe-alto.nl/home jazz players unite to create music—no set list, Shinjuku Pit Inn This venue presents jazz and blues shows no rehearsal time, just improvised music. 2-12-4 Accord Bldg. B1 every night of the week. Shinjuku shinjuku-ku SOUTH AFRICA Tokyo NEW ZEALAND 81 3 3354 2024 The Crypt pit-inn.com Creative Jazz Club Aotearoa St. George’s Cathedral, 1 Wale St and This club books a lot of large ensembles: In 1885 Britomart Adderley St. December, the Otomo Yoshihide Special Big 27 Galway St. Cape Town Band closed out the year with eight concerts, Auckland 27 79 683 4658 and the month began with a concert by the 0212 389 747 thecryptjazz.com Shibusasirazu Orchestra. The club features creativejazzclub.co.nz Located under a church, this venue presents mostly local jazz artists. Creative Jazz Club presents a jazz showcase live jazz Tuesday through Saturday.

74 DOWNBEAT FEBRUARY 2018 The Orbit Jamboree Jazz Club SWITZERLAND 81 De Korte St. Plaça Reial 17 Marian’s Jazz Room Johannesburg Barcelona Engestrasse 54 27 11 339 6645 34 933 19 17 89 Bern theorbit.co.za masimas.com 41 31 3096 111 This welcoming, regional jazz spot presents Founded in 1960, this club hosts the best mariansjazzroom.ch music nearly every night of the week. jazz musicians in Catalonia, as well as This venue, which is located in the Innere international stars such as Harold Mabern. Enge Hotel, has presented world-class jazz SPAIN Jimmy Glass Jazz Bar for more than 25 years. Closed during the Bogui Jazz summer months, bookers program jazz artists Calle Baja 28 five days a week from September to May. Calle Barquillo 29 Valencia Madrid 34 656 89 01 43 34 915 21 15 68 THAILAND jimmyglassjazz.net bogui.es This club, which is 25 years old, presents Saxophone Pub Bogui features stars from the Spanish and Spanish jazz artists and international stars. 3/8 Phayathai Rd. Victory Monument European jazz scenes as well Americans such Bangkok as Greg Osby. SWEDEN +66 022 465 472 saxophonepub.com Cafe Central Fasching For more than three decades, Thailand’s jazz Plaza del Angel 10 Kungsgatan 63 musicians have performed at Saxophone Madrid Stockholm Pub. Music happens seven nights a week. 34 913 69 41 43 46 8 20 00 66 The booking leans heavily toward jazz, but cafecentralmadrid.com fasching.se other genres are occasionally presented. Founded more than 35 years ago, this club, In 1977, Fasching opened its doors to an Art Deco wonderland, offers jazz, gospel, showcase Scandinavian artists. Today, blues and other genres. The venue has patrons flock to the club to hear stars like TURKEY presented Wallace Roney and Ernie Watts. Chris Potter rub elbows with Stockholm Jazz Nardis Jazz Club Underground and other regional artists. The Kuledibi Sok. No:8 Harlem Jazz Club club also offers reggae, indie pop and soul. Istanbul Carrer de Contessa de Sobradiel 8 90 212 244 6327 Barcelona Glenn Miller Café nardisjazz.com 34 933 10 07 55 Brunnsgatan 21 Turkish jazz musicians share space with artists harlemjazzclub.es Stockholm from a range of genres at this 120-seat venue. Now in its 31st year, this Club has become 46 76 882 45 49 Shows happen every night of the week. The a touchstone of the jazz world in Barcelona. glennmillerprogram.se venue has recently hosted a Django Reinhardt- The progrmamming also includes blues, funk This small venue showcases jazz on style jazz group, a Latin music ensemble and and soul. There’s a blues jam every Monday. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. numerous straightahead musicians.

FEBRUARY 2018 DOWNBEAT 75 76 DOWNBEAT FEBRUARY 2018