Page 348 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - New York City

346  TR A VELERS ’ NEEDS

Rock, Jazz, and Live Music

There’s every imaginable form of music in New York, from Bill Saxton still blows his horn
international stadium rock to the sounds of the 1960s, Fridays and Saturdays at Bill’s
from Dixieland jazz or country blues, soul, and world music Place. No relation to the famous
to talented street musicians. The city’s music scene changes original (this version opened in
1977), the Cotton Club never-
at a dizzying pace, with new arrivals (and departures) almost theless offers good swing, blues,
daily, so there’s no way to predict what you may find when jazz, and a Sunday Gospel brunch.
you arrive. In Greenwich Village, jazz
temples from the 1930s survive
and continue to foster great
Prices and Venues Times, Village Voice, or Time Out music. Foremost among them
At clubs, expect to pay a cover New York, or check websites to is the Village Vanguard, where
charge and possibly a one- or find out what’s happening and some of the most highly
two-drink minimum (at $8 at what time during that partic- revered jazz memories linger
or more) requirement. The ular week. If you prefer to see Sonny Rollins’ A Night at the
prices for concerts typically more of a band than a giant video Village Vanguard was recorded
range from $50 to $150 for screen, the following venues here in 1957). Blue Note (open
the major venues. Many of the tend to have a much more since 1981 and unrelated to the
smaller concert venues offer intimate, friendly atmosphere. record label) hosts big bands
seating in certain areas and On the Lower East Side, at high prices but has a great
dancing in others – often with the Bowery Ballroom boasts atmosphere. Smalls offers
different prices for each. superior acoustics and sightlines cutting-edge jazz, with various
The top international bands and usually books well-known acts every night often playing
are usually to be found on the touring acts and local bands. two or more sets each.
huge stages at the Barclays A converted bodega, Arlene’s Smoke is an intimate Upper
Center or Madison Square Grocery attracts a loyal crowd West Side nightspot offering
Garden (see p131). Here the likes thanks to acts ranging from a divergent roster of musicians,
of Jay-Z, Bruce Springsteen, and rock to country and comedy. Its while Midtown’s Birdland is an
Taylor Swift perform. Tickets for punk and heavy-metal karaoke established supper club that
these events sell out very fast, on Monday nights (for free) hosts some big names, while
unless you don’t mind paying a is also popular. The Mercury sophisticated club and
lot for them through an agent Lounge is also one of the most restaurant Iridium features
or a scalper (see p335). During happening music spots down progressive jazz.
the summer, big (and usually here, featuring hot new bands Café Carlyle, an Upper East
free) outdoor concerts are held being groomed for bigger stages. Side spot once famed for late
at Central Park SummerStage Over the river, the Knitting jazz pianist and singer Bobby
and at the Prospect Park Factory in Brooklyn is an Short, now features clarinetist-
Bandshell, found under the intimate showcase for indie filmmaker Woody Allen playing
Celebrate Brooklyn umbrella. rock, while Music Hall of with Eddy Davis and his New
Medium-sized venues for Williamsburg, set in an old Orleans Jazz Band most Monday
mainstream bands include the factory, offers great acoustics nights (Jan–Jun only). Jazz
Art Deco palace of Radio City and cheap prices. The Rock Standard, with an ample
Music Hall, the Hammerstein Shop is the best place to hear underground performance
Ballroom, and the Beacon up-and-coming bands. space, showcases top-notch
Theater. Booking an impressive jazz performers most nights
line-up of acts is the PlayStation Jazz of the week. Part community
Theater in Times Square. This center and café, part jazz and
state-of-the-art venue is known The original Cotton Club and experimental music space, the
for its top-notch acoustics. Connie’s Inn, which were once 5C Café is a throwback to old
crucibles of jazz, are long gone, New York and has a laidback vibe.
as are the former speakeasies Jazz at Lincoln Center events
Rock Music
of West 52nd Street. However, are scheduled throughout the
Rock comes in many forms: many talented performers carry year, including concerts by
Gothic, industrial, techno, on the old traditions of Dave the renowned Lincoln Center
psychedelic, post-punk funk, Brubeck, Les Paul, Duke Jazz Orchestra under the
indie, and alternative music Ellington, Count Basie, and direction of Wynton Marsalis. It
are among the many genres. other jazz bands. In Harlem, now has its own home since
A lot of leading venues are classic joints such as Showmans it moved into the world’s
basically bars with music. Jazz Club (which features first performing arts center
They will often book different veteran Hammond organ player specifically for jazz. It
bands every night, so check Seleno Clarke) and Minton’s are is housed in the Time Warner
the listings in The New York still going strong, while sax man Center – a multi-venue facility

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