New York City and jazz go together like Paris and expressionist art. The Big Apple’s smoky clubs have been welcoming flappers, gangsters, and budding musicians since the 1920s.
Jason Moran’s STAGED exhibit resurrects two iconic jazz club stages to interrogate their social and artistic impact on the music. Check out these NYC venues to experience jazz culture at its best.
Room 623
Located on West 119th Street in Harlem, Room 623 is a hidden jazz club. It is a cozy, intimate space for world-class jazz musicians. There are many different kinds of jazz music on offer, from smooth ballads to funk and R&B. The space is also home to a bar serving classic and artisanal cocktails.
Marcus Goldhaber, a jazz singer/songwriter, host and entrepreneur, is the man behind this speakeasy. He discovered the space while walking past B2runch Harlem on a chilly Harlem evening in December 2018.
While the restaurant was closing, he noticed that a few passersby were standing outside, looking in. He then met Adriane Ferguson, owner of the restaurant, and they immediately clicked. They both shared their love of hats and the belief that music can bring people together. They decided to turn the space into an immersive jazz experience and create a new home for jazz in Harlem.
The concept of Room 623 is inspired by the late night jazz clubs of St. Nick’s Pub, Lenox Lounge and the old Zinc Bar on Houston Street. Marcus grew up listening to live Jazz at these clubs and was struck by the positive energy that the musicians brought out of the crowd. He wanted to bring this concept back to NYC and make it a place that was inclusive for all.
With most Jazz clubs in the city finishing by 10pm or even earlier, Marcus took a risk and began “The Late Set” at Room 623, which has since been known as one of the best spots for live Jazz in Harlem. The space is intimate and seating is close to the band, which allows you to feel a part of the show. This makes for an unforgettable experience. In addition, the venue offers a variety of drinks and light bites.
Dizzy’s Club
One of the best jazz clubs in New York City, Dizzy’s Club is a perfect place to enjoy a night of music and cocktails. It’s small and cozy, but there are plenty of seats and the musicians are world-class. It’s a great place to go with friends or on a date. The music is always upbeat and the staff is friendly. The drinks are also delicious and the prices are reasonable.
Located inside the Frederick P. Rose Hall at the Time Warner Center in Columbus Circle, this club has a glam appeal. It has huge windows overlooking Central Park and a gorgeous bar serving up Creole and Cajun-inspired food. The atmosphere is lively, but it’s a bit louder than other jazz venues in NYC.
The club’s main attraction is its Songbook Sundays series, which features three singers from Broadway and jazz who perform iconic American standards. The show is curated and hosted by show business savant Deborah Grace Winer, who has an obvious love of the composers she celebrates on stage. Past shows have honored the legacies of the Gershwins, Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, and Irving Berlin.
While the Blue Note Jazz Club in Greenwich Village is a renowned venue that has spawned locations around the globe, it’s hard to beat the original in NYC. The space has been home to some of the most famous jazz artists in the history of the genre. It has also been a hotbed of improvisation and innovation.
This is the kind of club that you’ll want to visit with your girlfriends. It’s intimate, but not too tight, and the sound system is fantastic. The musicians play a mix of classic and modern jazz, and the vibe is warm and inviting. It’s a great spot for any occasion, especially if you’re looking to meet some new friends.
This is the best place to listen to jazz in New York City. The bartenders are extremely nice and the drinks are reasonably priced. It’s a great way to relax after work, and you can even make some new friends while listening to the amazing musicians.
Village Vanguard
The Village Vanguard is one of the most legendary clubs in jazz history. It is where many musicians first made their mark and it is a place that has shaped the sound of the genre. This club has had its ups and downs, but it has survived through its music. It was founded in 1935 and is still open today. It has a small stage that can fit about 130 people. Its acoustics are excellent and it has an easy, familial feel.
In the beginning, there were some wild times at the Vanguard. The incendiary bassist Charles Mingus once held a knife to Max Gordon’s throat and ripped off the front door of the club because he thought the owner was underpaying him. He also smashed a light with the head of his bass and to this day, it has never been replaced. Despite his wild antics, Mingus was also one of the most innovative musicians of his time.
When the club reopened after a two-week closure due to Covid, trumpeter Ron Miles’ debut as leader at the Vanguard was an event to behold. He brought a quintet that featured pianist Jason Moran, guitarist Bill Frisell, and bassist Thomas Morgan. The group’s set was a triumph that helped to give the club a soft relaunch.
A month after Miles’s triumph, the great alto saxophonist Sonny Rollins returned to the Vanguard. His reemergence was even more impressive. He delivered a masterful performance that demonstrated his virtuosity and improvisational skills. He was supported by a strong rhythm section that included drummer John McLaughlin and pianist Kenny Barron.
In the late 40s, the Vanguard was one of the top clubs in New York City. This was largely because of the fact that it had an eclectic lineup of performers and its unique sound. The venue was also a hub of experimentation and innovation. This was the era when jazz started to become more experimental and avant-garde.
In 1948, the pianist Thelonious Monk came to the Vanguard and was met with a cold reception from the audience. He was almost completely unknown at the time and it is believed that his appearance at the club helped launch his career. His booking at the Vanguard is just one example of how this club has helped to shape the sound of jazz over the years.
55 Bar
New York is one of the entertainment capitals of the world, and it’s no wonder that the city has some of the most legendary jazz clubs. Many of these venues are famous for being the first places where jazz artists like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington started performing, but there are also a lot of smaller establishments that have been around for years and continue to support the music today.
The 55 Bar is one of these iconic jazz bars that has been a haven for musicians since its inception in the ’80s. The intimate subterranean space in the heart of the West Village is where many musicians first honed their chops, developed their band, and cultivated a following. The loss of this unique space for creative musicians is truly a tragedy.
When 55 Bar first opened, it was just another jazz club, competing with the growing popularity of California jazz. However, it soon became clear that New York’s unique scene was able to attract the best musicians. Many artists who had made their name in California – including Dave Brubeck, Charlie Bird, Bill Frisell, and Ornette Coleman – moved to the Big Apple after finding it difficult to maintain their careers on the West Coast.
While some record executives were quick to recognize the potential of this new style, others were not. Some viewed it as a novelty, and it wasn’t until the late ’20s when New Yorkers were more open to the sounds of jazz that the art form became truly popular.
The Blue Note is perhaps the most recognizable of all the jazz clubs in New York. The flagship in Greenwich Village is the anchor of a network of jazz clubs in major cities around the globe, and it has hosted some of the most celebrated names in American jazz, including Chick Corea, McCoy Tyner, and John Scofield. The Blue Note is also famous for welcoming patrons from the performing arts world, and it has become an essential part of the fabric of the city’s culture.
