I'm a regular of the Blue Note, but wanted to spread my wings and try some new places.

Any suggestions for good Jazz in the city? I prefer intimate venues, whether romantic or a little grungy.

Lauren,

You might want to try Dizzy's at the Time Warner Center.

Have Fun!

If you hang at the Blue Note I'm guessing you've probably already been there but the Village Vanguard is a legendary club that usually has some top talent. It's in a basement on 7th Ave S.

Blue Smoke/Jazz Standard  on East 27th street. As you seem to like good food as well as Jazz this place will work for you.

http://www.bluesmoke.com/

The Village Vanguard is far and away the greatest extant jazz club in the world. Been there since i think the '40s. Blue Note is not "real" jazz but soft, smooth Jazz. Jazz Standard is excellent. There's also Birdland (not the original) and Iridium in the Times Square area as well as Small's, Smoke and many, many more. There's a higher concentration of Jazz clubs in New York than anywhere in the world. If you want real, honest to goodness Jazz, the Vanguard is THE place to go. Do yourself a favor!

Lousy drinks. They jam you into the smallest tables. Packed like lambs for slaughter.

Worst of all.......... the set time limit is strictly enforced. The musicians have no room to breathe and an improvisational form like jazz needs that in order for the magic to happen.

55 Bar is old school. Cats JAM as they should. I've seen some face ripping performances there. Try and catch Mike Stern or Wayne Krantz there. If you're lucky you may see the inimitable Anthony Jackson on bass...


I've been playing for 2 decades +

The Blue Note is generally not for living, breathing Jazz.

Pop Jazz, smooth, fusion -- a lot of useless crap.

Hey, is this board becoming a music review?

I agree!
jazz standard/blue smoke is great, intimate~

Just pick up a copy of New York Magazine (NOT New Yorker) and Time Out NY.  They list everything around.  Or check out their websites.  Might be info there.

Well..... I wouldn't lump good fusion,  the Mahavishnu for instance, in there, but yeah....mostly shite.

For the most part, the Fnitting Factory ain't Jazz