NYC May 22/23

[Robert J]

Hey all.

Will be making my second ever trip to NY the weekend of May 22/23. Last time was business and tourist stuff. My wife would like to see a broadway play/musical and I'd like to check out some live music. I see the BN has Ron Carter w/Mulgrew Miller and Russell Malone then. I can reserve on the net, but not sure how trustworthy that is. Probably better to phone. Any other club suggestions for that weekend? Also like to know about the realistic cost of beverages and whether or not food must be purchased (assume a table seat). Much appreciated in advance

[Pete C]

Blue Note is one of the most expensive and least comfortable of NY clubs. However, they only have a $5 minimum per set. But drinks tend to be over $6 for anything alcoholic anyway. The food is inedible.

Randy Weston & African Rhythms is at Jazz Standard, a much nicer club, and they serve good bbq. But they actually have no minimum in addition to admission. If you've never seen Weston, I'd go for that over the Blue Note.

Chris Potter is at the Vanguard. On a weekend you'd pay $30, but that includes a $10 drink credit. They do not serve food.

Birdland has Pat Martino on Saturday and the Chico O'Farrill Latin Big Band on Sundays (great band). The food is decent, and it's one of the best laid out clubs in the city.

Monty Alexander is at Iridium. Bob Dorough does the Sunday brunch at Iridium. He's always fun and it's a great deal. $20 gets a pretty good buffet with music included. In the evenings the food is good but pricey.

Also, on Sunday the 23rd from 4-7, for free at Lincoln Center (Avery Fisher Hall) is the semi-finals of the Essentially Ellington High School Band competition. It's fun to watch those very talented kids, and I usually make it every year.

Edited May 13, 2004 by Pete C

[Dmitry]

Blue Note is one of the most expensive and least comfortable of NY clubs. However, they only have a $5 minimum per set. But drinks tend to be over $6 for anything alcoholic anyway. The food is inedible.

Yes on all counts. I took my then teenage cousin to see Mike Stern and Bob Berg, ordered a Sprite for him. A glass of fucking Sprite cost $5. Beers are at least $8, and I'm talking Miller Lite here.

Sets usually run only about 50 min. or so and then the staff is eager to kick everybody out to shove in the next crowd of the Japanese tourists.

I hate that friggin place, plain and simple.

New York institution my ass.

[7/4]

Blue Note is one of the most expensive and least comfortable of NY clubs.  However, they only have a $5 minimum per set.  But drinks tend to be over $6 for anything alcoholic anyway.  The food is inedible.

Yes on all counts. I took my then teenage cousin to see Mike Stern and Bob Berg, ordered a Sprite for him. A glass of fucking Sprite cost $5. Beers are at least $8, and I'm talking Miller Lite here.

Sets usually run only about 50 min. or so and then the staff is eager to kick everybody out to shove in the next crowd of the Japanese tourists.

I hate that friggin place, plain and simple.

New York institution my ass.

Thanks for reminding me why I never go there.

[Pete C]

When I do go to the Blue Note I get there early enough to get the seats at the end of the bar facing the stage. It's usually $10 cheaper than the tables and less claustrophobic. I think they charge $6.25 for a domestic beer at the bar.

[Hardbopjazz]

Smoke has Steve Davis Quintet with · Eric Alexander and Harold Mabern.

Pat Martino is at Birdland.

Ron Carter at the Blue Note.

I would see Ron Carter.

[sal]

Never been to NY, but from those choices and the input from the board members, I'd be choosing between Chris Potter and Randy Weston. You're guaranteed great music from either one of them, and I've never heard anything bad about either venue. I must go to the Village Vanguard before I die.

[Dmitry]

Randy Weston. Hands down.

I'll be there.

[Pete C]

Weston at the Jazz Standard is easily the best combination of band and venue (too bad Billy Harper won't be added to make it a septet). The food is good, they have a good beer list, and if you don't want to eat or drink you don't have to. The only downside is that if you want to stay for a second set when they're not fully booked you have to pay 1/2 a second cover. They say it's because they don't have a minimum.

I've seen Weston easily 20 times since the '70s, in various settings, so I won't be making this gig.

Potter is good, but Weston is a giant (in more ways than one).

Smoke pretty much is the mecca for 3rd (or is it 4th or 5th) generation hard boppers.

These days you can get a decent meal at Birdland, Iridium, and the Standard. Fifteen years ago you couldn't get a good meal at a NY jazz club, period.

[Robert J]

Thanks all

It was obvious that Randy Weston would be the choice. Although I've never seen Ron Carter or Mulgrew Miller, I have seen Malone and spoken with him after an event. I've seen Randy only in a piano workshop setting he had in Toronto in 1992. Still was fantastic.

I am not nostalgic for the Blue Note club and what you guys said pretty much confirmed what I'd expect of the club now. As an aside, looking into Broadway pricing I was at the ticket amounts. Why is it that $$$ is thrown away to see Hairspray or Mama Mia in hordes, but a $25 jazz set does not sell out? You don't have to answer this.

So I've got reservations for the 7:30 show on Sunday due to full Saturday plans. Plus we are taking the train in from Ryebrook to Manhattan so that's the reason for the early show. I like the fact they serve good food and beer! There's no way I am paying $8 for a Schlitz! Now to choose between Pan-Fried Black Pepper Catfish or ribs from the menu. Any recommnedations from the Blue Smoke?

Dmitry - what show are you going to? Anyone else attending?

[PHILLYQ]

If you're not particularly specific about what Broadway show to see, you can check out the half price tickets. Here's a link:

http://www.tdf.org/index_default.html

[Pete C]

There's no way I am paying $8 for a Schlitz! Now to choose between Pan-Fried Black Pepper Catfish or ribs from the menu. Any recommnedations from the Blue Smoke?

I was just there tonight and tried the K.C. spare ribs, which are new to the menu. Very good, as are the Memphis baby back, St. Louis spare ribs, & pulled pork sandwich. I never tried the catfish--I love catfish, but the call of the pig is too strong every time I go. They get $5.50 for pints of draft. I had a Magic Hat #9 with dinner. I was entertaining a friend from out of town, and we went to see Steven Bernstein's Millennial Territory Orchestra. Quite a lot of fun.

[Robert J]

Thanks Pete. That's great news about the food and especially the beer (being Canadian). Ribs for sure! I have never tried Magic Hat #9. Looking forward to it. I was not knocking Schlitz or the watered-down beer industry. It's just that we get so little small/microbrew beers imported to us. Colt 45, yes. I grew up living across the border from Detroit, so unless you went to Ann Arbor, the beer was lame. Though last trip to NY I tried and fell in love with Yeungling's Black & Tan. I can't wait to drink it. It's incredibly only $7.99 for a 12 and it has a rich flavour and decent alcohol content. It has become one of my favourites.

[PHILLYQ]

Thanks Pete. That's great news about the food and especially the beer (being Canadian). Ribs for sure! I have never tried Magic Hat #9. Looking forward to it. I was not knocking Schlitz or the watered-down beer industry. It's just that we get so little small/microbrew beers imported to us. Colt 45, yes. I grew up living across the border from Detroit, so unless you went to Ann Arbor, the beer was lame. Though last trip to NY I tried and fell in love with Yeungling's Black & Tan. I can't wait to drink it. It's incredibly only $7.99 for a 12 and it has a rich flavour and decent alcohol content. It has become one of my favourites.

Saranac also makes a very good Black & Tan that is pretty widely available in NYC.

[Robert J]

  Saranac also makes a very good Black & Tan that is pretty widely available in  NYC.

I have had this as well. A good one, and something else from Saranac I can't remember. I bought one at a store while I brown bagged it through the Village last trip.

Went to the Magic Hat site: some interesting beer. Randy Weston, ribs, beer - it's going to be a great night.

[Dmitry]

Randy Weston, ribs, beer - it's going to be a great night.

It sounds almost anti-climactic.

Sunday, you say? I've got to make my reservation. Is your missis coming to?

In that case I'll have to bring mine.

[Pete C]

It's just that we get so little small/microbrew beers imported to us.

Huh? I don't know about the rest of Canada, but there are plenty of good microbrews in Quebec, many of which I sampled last year at the Mondiale de la Biere in Montreal.

Edited May 18, 2004 by Pete C

[Robert J]

Huh?  I don't know about the rest of Canada, but there are plenty of good microbrews in Quebec, many of which I sampled last year at the Mondiale de la Biere in Montreal.

I meant coming from the US. There's lots in Ontario, just the province is a pain when it tries to protect its markets. I love going to Montreal liquor stores. All the beer we should have in Ontario. Same happens in Alberta - my Calgary friends enjoy a completely different variety. BTW - Unibrou and St Ambrose breweries are among my faves from Quebec - "Fin de Monde" and "Oatmeal Stout" respectively.

[Robert J]

Is your missis coming too?:

Yes indeed. The woman on the phone at the JS said be there by 7PM or else I'd lose the reservation.

[Pete C]

Have a Brooklyn Lager when you're in town, the flagship beer of the greatest former city in the world.

Dmitry, I think we met very briefly at one of the Vision Festival shows a couple of years ago (I can't remember who introduced us). Are you going to any this year?

[Dmitry]

Are you Pete C[herches] from the Jazz Corner?

Then yes, absoultely, I remember. How are you?

I've got to browse the schedule. It kinda slipped my mind. Any particular recommendations?

Yesterday's Ornette Coleman tribute at the Merkin Hall was incredible.

I wish you guys were there.

Roswell Rudd

Scott Robinson

Greg Cohen

Herlin Riley

and in the 2nd half a special guest - Wynton Marsalis

I'm no fan of Winnie, but holy smokes, it was good.

Photos are coming up.

[Pete C]

Are you Pete C[herches] from the Jazz Corner?

Then yes, absoultely, I remember. How are you?

I've got to browse the schedule. It kinda slipped my mind. Any particular recommendations?

Yes, I'm me.

From my perspective the best nights of Vision (combination of quality, variety, and presence of new/different blood) are Wednesday, Sunday and Saturday, in that order. I'll be at those 3 shows.