Gothamist: Live Jazz

Luke Kaven

Wed, 15 Feb 2006 19:36:04 -0500

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

AW

Tue, 14 Feb 2006 12:17:46 -0500

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.

nora

Tue, 14 Feb 2006 11:56:47 -0500

Hey, you may love the Diamond. But have you seen his version of the Jazz Singer? He wears blackface. No joke.

Leo

Mon, 13 Feb 2006 23:56:13 -0500

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...

Nicolas

Mon, 13 Feb 2006 23:04:58 -0500

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.

beth

Mon, 13 Feb 2006 22:44:34 -0500

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.

Dirk

Mon, 13 Feb 2006 17:41:05 -0500

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.

anonymous

Mon, 13 Feb 2006 16:59:44 -0500

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/

famdoc

Mon, 13 Feb 2006 16:56:49 -0500

I am hearing good things about "Night and Day" on Fifth Ave. near Garfield Pl. in Park Slope.

jones

Mon, 13 Feb 2006 16:30:06 -0500

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.

bossanova

Mon, 13 Feb 2006 16:16:26 -0500

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.

Jazz Lover

Mon, 13 Feb 2006 16:03:12 -0500

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

Mon, 13 Feb 2006 15:52:19 -0500

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.

Eric

Mon, 13 Feb 2006 15:44:24 -0500

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.

Benjamin

Mon, 13 Feb 2006 15:43:24 -0500

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.

will

Mon, 13 Feb 2006 15:39:38 -0500

according to http://www.fatcatjazz.com/ smalls has reopened.