Norm Posted October 22, 2009 Report Posted October 22, 2009 I was just reading the liner notes for the Wynton Kelly Trio / Wes Montgomery CD, Smokin' at the Half Note , and came across a passage that mentioned several legendary jazz clubs that operated in Manhatten back in the day: The Half Note the Village Vanguard the Village Gate the Five Spot Slugs I'm wondering if any veterans who witnessed live jazz at one of these venues back in the day have any stories to share with us newcomers. Who'd you see play? Any memorable experiences? Which was your favorite of these clubs and why? ...Or just take it where ever you like Quote
ValerieB Posted October 22, 2009 Report Posted October 22, 2009 i thought there was another thread awhile back that covered all these wonderful Manhattan jazz clubs, no? Quote
AllenLowe Posted October 22, 2009 Report Posted October 22, 2009 I saw Jean Genet at Slugs, 1969 probably. Also saw an incredible version of Ornette's band: Redman/Higgins/Haden - yow! I can still hear those guys in my head - I saw the original National Lampoon Show at the Gate with Belushi - he was great, the show was tiresome. Quote
Chuck Nessa Posted October 23, 2009 Report Posted October 23, 2009 Been to all those. No time to recollect all the musicians. Quote
AllenLowe Posted October 23, 2009 Report Posted October 23, 2009 as I've recounted before, I saw Monk at the Vanguard with Wilbur Ware and Pat Patrick - strange night - Quote
Christiern Posted October 23, 2009 Report Posted October 23, 2009 What Chuck Nessa said, but here are a couple of ads... Quote
AllenLowe Posted October 23, 2009 Report Posted October 23, 2009 that's all nice, Chris, but we need some NAMES - Quote
PHILLYQ Posted October 23, 2009 Report Posted October 23, 2009 The Village Vanguard is still around, the only one of those named. Stories from me to come(too tired now, 11 hour day at work) Quote
ghost of miles Posted October 23, 2009 Report Posted October 23, 2009 There's a board member here who was at Slug's the night Lee Morgan was killed (he left not long before Morgan was shot, iirc). A friend of mine here in B-town--now deceased--told me some wonderful stories about seeing Charlie Parker and Bud Powell at the Royal Roost and Birdland in the late 1940s and early 50s. I'd be interested in hearing stories about Chicago jazz clubs of lore, but that would be another thread. Quote
7/4 Posted October 23, 2009 Report Posted October 23, 2009 I've been to the Vanguard & the Gate. . Quote
bertrand Posted October 23, 2009 Report Posted October 23, 2009 $2.50 for a gig that includes Coltrane and Rollins? $4.00 for Monk, Rollins, KD, Blue Mitchell etc.? The mind boggles. Bertrand. Quote
brownie Posted October 23, 2009 Report Posted October 23, 2009 Missed the Five Spot and the Half Note. Was at Slugs a number of times. Among the remembrances, had a friendly discussion with Cecil Taylor and Robert Levin in between sets by Jackie McLean, back in 1967. Quote
chewy-chew-chew-bean-benitez Posted October 23, 2009 Report Posted October 23, 2009 I want to go to the Gold Bug: Chico Hamilton, and never a cover Quote
peterintoronto Posted October 23, 2009 Report Posted October 23, 2009 The Cafe Bohemia is still there (in the form of a generic sports bar), but all of the wood and floors appear original. Not a bar, but I love going to the 125th St. brownstone that was the site of Art Kane's 'A Great Day In Harlem' shoot. When I took some photos of it a few visits ago, a cab pulled up and an older, very distinguished society lady got out and ran inside. I felt like telling her how lucky she was to live at an address with such a history, but she probably wouldn't have cared. Quote
jazzydaddy Posted October 23, 2009 Report Posted October 23, 2009 In the 70's there was a popular Jazz club in the East Village called the "Tin Palace". Anyone care to offer any remembrances of that venue. It was a scrappy time for jazz. Quote
Free For All Posted October 23, 2009 Report Posted October 23, 2009 Many Monday nights at the VV hearing the Thad & Mel band and its various incarnations. Favorite VV performance- Joe Henderson/Ron Carter/Al Foster in the 80s (circa the State of the Tenor recordings). Went back again the next night. Sat right in front both nights. Amazing music. Quote
ValerieB Posted October 23, 2009 Report Posted October 23, 2009 The Half Note the Village Vanguard the Village Gate the Five Spot Slugs was most definitely at all of the above, more times than i could possibly count, and it's all a blur!! LOL!! Quote
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