Blues, Jazz entertainment in Asia
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A
Honky Tonk Haven
A great new addition to the Melaka drinking scene, this music bar is run by Kiwi jazz pianist Joe 'Itchy Fingers' Webster and his singing wife Jill. Jazz memorabilia photos line the walls and spontaneous sessions of live music are performed by Joe, Jill and their collection of talented friends. It's a place to make fast friends, grab a quick meal (including real New Zealand-style burgers, and all-day breakfasts) and find out how funky you really are.
reviewed
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B
Jazz Club Minh
This is the grown-up, late-night side of Hanoi you probably never thought existed. Cool, mustachioed Quyen Van Minh is Hanoi's sax maestro - a cool cat who blows a mean horn. He holds court in his smoky jazz club nightly, often playing host to guest performers from around the world.
reviewed
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C
Rhythm & Blues
This place has live rock, R&B and blues nightly. Despite the Daisy Villa Ave address, it’s on RA de Mel Mawatha.
reviewed
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Jazz Café
Always popular, Jazz Café has a relaxed vibe in a garden of coconut palms and ferns. It offers good Asian fusion food (mains 35,000Rp to 60,000Rp) and live jazz in various forms, blues and more, Tuesday to Saturday from 7.30pm. The cocktail list is long. It provides transport around Ubud.
reviewed
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D
East Shore Jazz Café
Cui Jian’s saxophonist, whose quartet play here, opened this chilled venue just off Di’anmenwai Dajie and next to Qianhai Lake. It’s a place to hear the best local jazz bands, with live performances from Thursdays to Sundays, in a less precious atmosphere than the CD Jazz Café. There’s a small roof terrace open in summer with a nice view of the lake and it‘s worth booking a table here on weekends, when it gets busy. There’s no cover charge and the drinks are reasonably priced.
reviewed
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E
Maussac
Maussac is an upscale teahouse, complete with a bookshelf's worth of jars featuring teas from around the world. In addition to tea, set-meal specials, including pasta, meat and seafood dishes, are all served with a haute European flair. Maussac's charming jazz atmosphere makes it a popular spot for Taipei's chic looking to unwind with a meal, tea or both.
reviewed
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Sweet Basil 139
Sweet Basil has a large, lovely space that draws big-name domestic and international jazz acts. Performances range the gamut of the genre; check the calendar on the website for the current line-up. This classy joint is a good place to have an Italian dinner before a show; call for reservations between 11:00 and 20:00 Monday to Saturday.
reviewed
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Corner Jazz Club
Its candlelit tables and mezzanine attracting a youngish expat and local crowd, this spacious and atmospheric bar gets Qīngdǎo fingers snapping to motley live sounds every Tuesday (20:30 to 22:30). Staff speak excellent English and manage a well-stocked bar, while the paraphernalia extends to table football and darts.
reviewed
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Monk
Before and after jazz sets (21:00 to 23:00, Wednesday to Saturday) Monk can be an empty sound stage with a few offbeat characters. When live music hits the stage, the place is full of offbeat characters. Poetry Plus - a night of performance art for budding Leonard Cohens - runs one Saturday every six weeks (21:00 to 23:00).
reviewed
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Blues Café
Dizzy, Louie, BB and company adorn the walls and set the bluesy vibe at this snug cocktail lounge. The nightly live jazz usually takes the form of Eddie the solo piano player, but occasionally a larger ensemble materializes. The creative snack menu includes khachapuri (cheese-filled Georgian samsa).
reviewed
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F
All That Jazz
A fixture on the Seoul jazz scene for over 30 years, top local musicians regularly perform here. The live music starts at 9pm except on Friday (8.30pm) and Saturday and Sunday (both 7pm). Besides beer, you can order frozen cocktails, wines and even dinner. Check the website for the schedule.
reviewed
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Giant Step Jazz Bar
The Giant Step is a jazz bar with all the trappings you'd expect in an upscale joint, like burgundy wood, black-and-white photos and a good supply of recordings. Live 30-minute sets on stage Wednesday to Saturday (21:00, 22:00 and 23:00). Located near Gwang·an beach.
reviewed
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G
Live Jazz Club
Daehangno is home to the Seoul Jazz Academy, and this large but intimate venue, with black decor subtly blended with blue neon, attracts top Korean jazz stars such as saxophonist Lee Jeong-suk and his quartet. Enjoy two or three sessions every evening in this jazz haven.
reviewed
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H
House of Blues & Jazz
This is a classy restaurant and bar for music lovers. The owner, a Chinese TV celebrity, has plastered the walls with old photos of jazz legends, and the in-house band (which changes regularly) delivers live music from 9.30pm to 1am. Sunday night is a free-for-all jam.
reviewed
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I
Jazz Spot Intro
It’s a good sign when a little club allows a quarter of its floor space to be monopolised by a sexy grand piano. It also bodes well when the place is staffed by musicians who love to talk shop all night. At Jazz Spot Intro, all the omens are favourable.
reviewed
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J
Once in a Blue Moon
An intimate and famous Apgujeong club with live jazz from two groups of performers every night, each performing two sets between 7.30pm and 12.40am. The free admission is offset by charging W15,000 for cocktails and beers, and eating costs lots more.
reviewed
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K
BB’s
Really popular with students, this scruffy multi-storeyed bar showcases emerging acoustic, blues and reggae bands. Drinks are quite reasonable, especially if you order beer by the pitcher. Friday night is the big night here; entrance is 30,000Rp.
reviewed
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Vilevan
A mellow jazz bar, well versed in the history of the genre: it was originally called the Village Vanguard, until the famous New York bar of that name 'suggested' they reconsider. There's live music on Saturday nights and decent vegetarian food.
reviewed
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L
Moonglow
This large underground venue with red armchairs and candles on the tables features live jazz from 21:00, with a different style every day. It is owned by Shin Kwan-Woong, a noted Seoul jazz cat who performs almost every night with his band.
reviewed
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M
Sanwei Bookstore
Opposite the Minzu Hotel, this place has a small bookshop on the ground floor and a teahouse on the second. It features music with traditional Chinese instruments on Saturday night. On other evenings, you can hear live jazz here.
reviewed
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Tiffin Bay/Tiff's Jazz Lounge
Reminiscent of the Mad Hatter's tea party, the upstairs bar at Starhill Gallery features oversized polka dot lounges and lamp stands made from piles of crockery. Jazz bands play from 21:00 in front of a shimmering light display.
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Watercock
Located down an alley behind Alice Live is this serious 2nd floor live jazz venue. Musicians play from 21:00 to 23:30. You might catch Blue Rain a tight group consisting of piano, double bass, guitar, piano and a singer.
reviewed
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O
Beijing Cd Jazz Café
This is a great no-frills club with jazz-funk on Saturday, a swing night on Monday and classic jazz or big-band groups the rest of the week. The bar's just behind the overpass south of the Agricultural Exhibition Centre.
reviewed
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P
Bebop Jazz Club
Up on the 5th floor Bebop caters to an older crowd with its armchairs and cool jazz. A singer or an instrumental band perform from 20:00 to 23:00. Beers are cheap enough but do get more pricey when the live music starts.
reviewed
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Q
Hot House
This must be the smallest jazz dive in the world. Musicians play in twos and threes (there’s no room for more). Audiences are usually about 10; get here early if you’re set on sitting in for the evening.
reviewed
