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Years ago, Gothamist would head over to Smalls on 10th Street to listen to jazz. It was byob, cozy, intimate, dark and open pretty much all the time. In 2003 Smalls closed its doors. We were left with high priced jazz venues that looked more like Miami nightclubs. However, we recently heard a rumor of Smalls re-opening. We can't seem to find a thing about it, can anyone confirm?
As for other jazz spots around the city, here's what looks to be like a pretty full listing, but we want you to tell us...where is a good place to see live jazz?
Note: While Neil Diamond's "The Jazz Singer" movie soundtrack isn't exactly the type of jazz we are looking for, we will use any excuse we have to use that image. We love the Diamond.
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according to http://www.fatcatjazz.com/ smalls has reopened.
See, I would tell you where to see cheap good jazz in the city, but I don't want people discovering my secrets.
However, Smoke on Tuesday nights is excellent. You'll see some all star artists perform. No cover. $15 minimum. And the Bar Next Store at La Lanterna's $5 cover is ridiculous. The food's good too.
Smalls was the sh-t! The very fact that it existed always gave me hope when I would think of the changes happening in New York. Now, I just don't know where to go to get that same feeling in New York. The closest thing is the Vanguard, but if you're familiar with it, you know it's nothing like Smalls.
Let's just face, New York has changed. Places like Smalls may not be availabe in New York for many years, after another social/cultural shift has occurred.
Smalls has been re-opened for about a year now, but the new incarnation definitely lost some of the atmosphere - no longer BYOB, the remodeling they did took alot of the charm away and the crowd is definitely more crappy (lots of talking). Most importantly, though, they still book good names, so no complaints about the music.
Yes, it's open. In fact you (Gothamist) did an
interview
with Mitch Borden of Small's back in May 2005.
Does Gothamist read its own site?
FrankC already mentioned that Smalls reopened - I used to love smalls and spent a good many nights hanging out on the couches until 4 or 5am...I went to the new smalls once, and unless they change anything, I wouldn't go back - all the comfort is gone - the couches, the decor...now it just has a terrible (and terribly overpriced) bar. The worst part of it is they got rid of any semblance of a stage, and the front of the bar opens into where the musicians are playing, so anytime a bartender needs to leave the bar, s/he disturbs the music.
Fat Cat around the corner is still a pretty good deal.
I'd also recommend Smoke on Monday nights - the Jam session is really incredible (the late set is better - more ppl. show up.)
55 Bar can also have some good acts, but prices vary widely.
The Stone is a great venue. A John Zorn creation that is $10 for every set with all money going to the artists. January was curated by William Parker and had some amazing shows.
I am hearing good things about "Night and Day"
on Fifth Ave. near Garfield Pl. in Park Slope.
Check the WBGO Music Calendar for jazz events. WBGO (88.3) is a world renowned jazz station, and always keeps up to date with the what's going. They just finished their membership drive... but if you listen you should definitely become a member.
The events webpage is
http://www.wbgo.org/events/calendar/
I loved the old Smalls. Small, dark, smoky, dirty, BYOB... it was perfect. I'm sure the new Smalls is nothing like the original.
One night I was at the old Smalls and a college-age kid showed up and sat behind the bar. He folded a piece of paper in half and made a little sign that said "Need pot". I was like, "Yeah right. That will work. Nice try". Later I looked up and he was smoking a big fat joint.
I'd love to try Smalls, but it can't be denied that despite the high cover cost many of the best working jazz musicians today come through the Vanguard. Actually, I don't mind paying the price for the genuises they book. And $10 worth of drinks are included... not bad in my book.
Might sound obvious, but the Village Vanguard is a good venue too. Sound is great. Very intimate. The waitress is bad though. I saw Kurt Rosenwinkel there recently he was really good. Plus it's quite funny to hear the subway from time to time during the show - it kills the seriousness of jazz, I love it.
I was actually at Smalls' last night, in 2003. I remember it was really just like any night: the rickety chairs, the couches, beer from the liquor store on 7th ave. It was nice, it wasn't overdone, it was about the music, about friends. Just like the place. The re-incarnation isn't the same of course. There's another spot that's pretty great though... Arthur's Tavern, Grove and 7th...
Hey, you may love the Diamond. But have you seen his version of the Jazz Singer? He wears blackface. No joke.
The old Smalls was heaven. $10 for 8 hours of jazz, BYOB and a crowd that was serious about jazz. I went to the new Smalls last spring and was very disappointed. There is a two drink minimum and the crowd was just there to talk. The band even had to ask one group to quiet down so they could hear themselves play. I wish I could bring myself to go back, but it just won't match up to the good old days.
Let me reframe this discourse a little, since things have been reconceptualized at Smalls and Fat Cat.
* Smalls has been re-opened since March 2, 2005 in its original location at 183 W10th St.
* One cover gets you into BOTH Smalls and Fat Cat. On weekends, you get 8 hours of music and five or so bands. That is the best deal in New York that I know of.
* At Smalls, there is a $10 minimum. And nobody is making a living at it. We don't know another way right now. The old way did not sustain the club, which is why it closed.
* There is actually quite a bit less talking now than there was at the previous Smalls.
* Mitch will redecorate Smalls before long and it will be cool. At the moment, we are in a sometimes tenuous relationship with the Brazilian bar owner who took over the least after we left.
* We're happy that a number of artists that you wouldn't be hearing otherwise have a chance to be heard.
Hope to see you there!
Luke Kaven
Smalls Records