Caffe Vivaldi on Jones Street is a throwback to a retro era in New York dining—the Italian-leaning restaurant serves live jazz with its ravioli, and has played host to a myriad of artistic Village boho types over the past 30 years. It looks like it has been and will be around forever, but it won't be, if new landlord Steve Croman gets what he wants—unless the restaurant fights its way back. more ›

The Henson Company has uploaded a couple of new vintage gems to the YouTubes. First up, listen to a couple of cool cats Muppets talk about jazz, man. It's like a scene out of Reefer Madness! more ›

Welcome to our weekly column, "Staff Picks," in which we ask the staffers at our favorite book, music, and movie stores around to town to share with us what they're reading, listening to, and watching this week. We figure they're good people to ask. Today we're checking in with Bruce Gallanter at Chinatown underground jazz specialist Downtown Music Gallery to find out what he's been spinning lately. more ›

A Brooklyn jazz musician who has been missing since last week was found dead in his home yesterday. Police found the body of bassist and pianist Stanley Wright, 62, in a storage chest in the basement of his Brownsville home. Police have not given a cause of death, but his sister, Theresa Wright, told CBS that she thinks he was killed by someone who “knew him very well,” but also added, “I can’t even think who would do something like this to my brother." more ›

We recently looked back at the Golden Age of Jazz in New York City (1938-1948), but what about before all that? Thirteen.org just took a trip to 133rd Street in Harlem for their City Concealed series, and below is their video on the early Jazz scene there. Particularly interesting is their visit to The Nest, which was housed in the basement of 169 West 133rd Street: more ›

The Library of Congress has a great set of photographs by William P. Gottlieb, documenting the jazz scene in NYC and Washington D.C. from 1938 to 1948 (aka the Golden Age of Jazz). Here are some photos from the jazz scene around New York at that time (check out the rest here). Gottlieb came to New York City after World War II to pursue journalism. He worked as a writer-photographer for Down Beat magazine (the leading jazz magazine at the time). more ›

Jazz singer-songwriter Abbey Lincoln died yesterday at age 80 in Manhattan. According to the NY Times, her "dramatic vocal command and tersely poetic songs made her a singular figure in jazz... Long recognized as one of jazz’s most arresting and uncompromising singers, Ms. Lincoln gained similar stature as a songwriter only over the last two decades... Her singing style was unique, a combined result of bold projection and expressive restraint." NPR's profile of Lincoln features Lincoln discussing her upbringing, work during the civil rights movement, and career and you can hear some of her music at the Verve Music website. more ›

More trouble with the racino project in Queens, this time involving Paterson’s bud Jay-Z who also has stakes in the Aqueduct Entertainment Group, the company that's set to run slot machines there. According to the Post, AEG—the group that was controversially awarded the multi-billion dollar deal to run slot machines—was going after Jay-Z as an investor when he and the governor were just becoming friends. Now, some question whether it courted Paterson's pal to make its bid for the project more appealing. more ›

Last week we noted the opening of a charming new restaurant/cocktail lounge/jazz bar called The Manhattan Inn in Greenpoint (located on Manhattan between Bedford and Nassau); but as you can see this place is so good looking it merits its own feature. This weekend we were actually lured there twice; the first visit was occasioned by our desire to wait out the Saturday afternoon rain and read over cocktails. The back room was uniquely suited for our purposes, and the Manhattan's Manhattan ($9) was as big and inviting as a heated private lap pool. (The classic specialty cocktail menu is from James Endicott, formerly of Per Se and Allen & Delancey, and there is also wine and craft beer on tap.) more ›

Barbra Steisand made a rare club appearance—her last one was in 1961 (!)— in front of a tiny crowd at the Village Vanguard last night. While most of the attendees were selected by lottery on Streisand's website, we have a feeling that former President Bill Clinton, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, Sarah Jessica Parker and Nicole Kidman didn't get their tickets through the lottery. more ›

A Brooklyn music studio has come to save the day for sleepy jazz musician Matthew Jodrell, whose brass instruments were nabbed on the N train as he dozed off. The flugelhorn was hand made especially for him in Switzerland where he traveled to pick it up; and his Bach Stradivarius trumpet was on loan from one of his teachers, who he says he sure "secretly wants to kill me." NY1 reports that Patricia Robinson and Peterson Grosvenor they offered the Juilliard student "one of several instruments they give to their students who can't afford to buy one of their own." The two said they couldn't imagine the musician going without and instrument, and when they read about the story, "I saw the picture of it. And I said, I have a Bach trumpet." Meanwhile, Jodrell is certain his instruments will turn up. more ›

Another musician is missing some treasured instruments, except this time they weren't left in a cab. Jazz musician Matthew Jodrell took the N train home after performing in Lower Manhattan on Sunday night, but an evening of jazz music is enough to make anyone nod off (we kid) and that's exactly what he did. Now he's out one Swiss flugelhorn and a Bach Stradivarius trumpet! more ›

The UTNE Reader takes a look at New York's jazz scene in their latest issue, and more specifically how the epicenter has shifted from Manhattan to Brooklyn. They recall that back in the day "the music especially thrived in areas where crime and abandoned buildings kept the cost of living low for artists like Charlie Parker, who rented an apartment at 151 Avenue B." So where can one find the best live jazz now, without shelling out the big bucks? Their answer is the not quite crime-laden, and not so inexpensive neighborhood of Park Slope. Specifically they point readers towards Tea Lounge (on Union Street) and Barbès (on Ninth Street). While aware that jazz has existed in the borough for decades, they note "this new crop of performance spaces, record labels, and jazz-oriented artist collectives" is making it all legit and reputable. [via Brooklyn Paper] more ›

The no-cover daytime jazz club EZ's Woodshed in Harlem is closing after two and a half years. Its owner, Gordon Palotnick, took a quixotic stab at sustaining the music that is identified with Harlem. Instead of a smoky late-night club, Palotnick opened a weekdays-only, daytime juke joint that only served soft drinks; and he didn't charge a hefty cover charge either. Despite his best efforts--immersing himself in hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt and going out himself to get takeout food for customers--Polatnick had to close EZ's Woodshed on Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. He is unrepentant about his failure and content in the happiness that his short-lived venture provided him. more ›

THEATER: One of the most anticipated theatrical events of the year comes to DUMBO next month when St. Ann’s Warehouse presents a highly acclaimed production of Macbeth by the Polish company TR Warszawa. Staged for just 12 performances at an outdoor theater in the Civil War-era Tobacco Warehouse across the street from St. Ann’s, the bold production “reinvents the classic with a dramatic two-story set, video walls, special effects, and an extraordinary, layered soundscape.” Tonight St. Ann’s artistic director, Susan Feldman, talks with director Grzegorz Jarzyna; the program will also feature a DVD presentation of excerpts from Jarzyna’s previous shows. – John Del Signore more ›

Jazz in New York is lingering in a precarious state. It’s certainly not for lack of musicians, or audiences -- but it’s something that has been plaguing New York for decades: there just aren’t enough venues. more ›

Italian pianist Stefano Bollani has been known to play everything from Pet Sounds to Prokofiev. As a kid he could keep up with Scott Joplin recordings sped up from 33 to 45 rpms, and even today the 35-year-old, classically trained, composer is nothing less than rousing (Check out Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz on NPR.org). more ›

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This was a shorthanded and tired team. Renaldo Balkman missed the game for his elbow in Tuesday's game against L.A. Eddy Curry and Quentin Richardson have the flu. The rest of the team is just sick of losing. more ›

Sure, you could go to a traditional sports bar to watch the Super Bowl, but that would just be so . . . traditional. We've rounded up a few more options for you -- find one to suit your mood. more ›

A look at some of this week's noteworthy television: Spike TV's Video Game Awards 2007 (Sunday, 9:00 p.m., Spike TV) It is the fifth annual outing for this awards show for video games. Live From Lincoln Center: Red Hot Holiday Stomp (Monday, 8:00 p.m., WNET 13) Jazz at Lincoln Center is highlighted with this special hosted by Glenn Close. There will be a program of holiday music and jazz, plus it also features the broadcast... more ›

SHOP: Tonight head to Dumbo for an “Evening of Cheer,” where three neighborhood events coordinated by the Dumbo Improvement District will be taking place. "The night’s events combine Dumbo’s monthly cultural event, First Thursdays, with extended shopping hours and promotions by local retailers and the illumination of the Empire Stores in Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park by famed lighting designer Brendon Boyd." 6pm // Various location details here EVENT: Tonight some experts gather around to celebrate... more ›

Knicks 113 Utah 109: Now we get it. The plan was to flash some early success and then create more headlines with manufactured drama and a big losing streak. Then, the Knicks would rise off the mat, run of a huge winning streak and make the playoffs. Unfortunately, it’s not quite that simple. Yes, the Knicks are now on a winning-streak with their victory Monday, but that is more a function of bad Utah defense... more ›

Islanders 2, Rangers 1: For all the success the Rangers have had against the rest of the league, they still can't solve the Islanders. Five-game winning streak? Poof! Rick DiPietro made 18 saves and the Islanders won for the third time in three games between the two clubs. Ruslan Fedotenko and Josef Vasicek each scored in the second period, and Michal Rozsival scored a short-handed goal for the Rangers. He now has seven goals... more ›

Last week Paula Scher's exhibit of painted city maps opened at the Maya Stendhal Gallery (running through January 26th). The Pentagram design firm partner has created the looks of the Public Theater, the Metropolitan Opera, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Symphony Space, the High Line, the Asia Society (and more) through logos. This exhibit expands on her Maps series which took over the gallery last year, and depicts "entire continents, countries and cities from all... more ›

EVENT: Tonight, as part of the recurring Upstairs at the Square event, Nellie McKay plays tunes from her latest, Obligatory Villager and host Katherine Lanpher talks with author and filmmaker Antonio Monda. Monda's new book Do You Believe? Conversations on God and Religion will hit shelves soon -- and tonight he'll relay the discussions he had about religion with folks like Spike Lee and David Lynch. 7pm // Barnes & Noble [33 E 17th St]... more ›

This Saturday and Sunday, Madison Square Garden welcomes the Annual CFA-Iams Cat Championship Cat Show. The show has many guest speakers and events, like the Feline Agility Competition, which is open to the public's cats, too. And, of course, there is the Best of Breed and Best in Show judging. more ›

RALLY: Barack is back! This time he's hitting up Manhattan with an evening rally in Washington Square Park. It's gonna be a big one, so get there early! At least this time there won't be any unhappy paying customers, because it's free! Check out his video invite: more ›

In what could be his biggest personal accomplishment ever, Mr. Met is going to the Mascot Hall of Fame. Yesterday, the Mascot Hall of Fame named Mr. Met a member of its 2007 class along with the San Antonio Coyote. The Post, which is thumping its chest with the news, talked to Mets spokesman Jay Horowitz, "We're thrilled at what he does. He does a lot of good charity work, the kids love him, and we're proud that Mr. Met is in the Hall of Fame." Mr. Met makes the hall despite losing to the Coyote in fan voting. A hall spokesman said, "Fan voting wasn't the whole deal. The committee saw that it had to happen." more ›