Blues, Jazz entertainment in Canada
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A
Rime
Presenting a diverse grab-bag of musical genres but focusing on jazz and roots, this warm and welcoming Commercial Dr venue is a truly happening little joint. Enveloped by artworks and a funky décor, the interior is lined with little tables facing performers who know a thing or two about how to engage an audience. Sunday is artist-in-residence night, when a regular celebrated jazz exponent holds court, while the rest of the week ranges from folk to bluegrass and back again. There’s a good Mediterranean bistro menu, too.
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B
Cellar Restaurant & Jazz Club
A serious muso venue where you’re required to keep the noise down and respect the performers on the tiny corner stage, this subterranean 70-seat resto-club is as close as you’ll get in Vancouver to a classic jazz venue. Known for showcasing hot local performers, as well as some great touring acts, the atmospheric spot lures aficionados from across the region with its mix of mainstream and edgier fare. On Tuesdays, entry is free and there are good beer specials.
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C
Fairview Pub
Like a neighborhood pub that time forgot, the Fairview is a great little laid-back joint if all you want to do is grab a few beers, nosh on some chicken wings and catch some great blues licks. The regular house band hits the stage on Thursday with a rumbling back catalogue forged from 12 years on the road. If you miss the big night, there’s an eclectic roster of music here most Fridays and Saturdays, including jazz, funk, retro and rock and roll.
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D
Yale
A sassy unpretentious old gal with a large stage, a devoted clientele and a beer-sticky dance floor, the grunge-tastic Yale is possibly western Canada’s best blues venue. Photos of past performers Koko Taylor, Junior Wells and even John Lee Hooker adorn the grubby brick walls, while latter-day regulars on the big stage include local fave Jim Byrnes, who holds court here like a king. Many shows are free here – check the website calendar for details.
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E
Capones Restaurant & Live Jazz Club
A convivial restaurant venue – think quality pastas and excellent thin-crust pizzas – with a strong roster of regular mainstream jazz and blues, this popular Yaletown haunt is an ideal spot if you’re hungry for dinner and a show. House pianists and trios are the mainstay performers but funky blues dogs regularly hit the eardrums of chatty diners, most often on Sundays.
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F
Grossman's Tavern
Inside this grubby 1940s tavern near Kensington Market, the emphasis is on singin' the blues, but acoustic rock and folk acts also get a look-in. There's music nightly – the Sunday-night jam session has been raising the roof for decades. Incidentally, Dan Akroyd worked up his routine for The Blues Brothers here.
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G
Silver Dollar Room
Crankin' electric blues and southern acoustic slide guitar reign supreme at the legendary Silver Dollar. Big-name touring acts from down south (Detroit, New Orleans, Chicago, etc) kick up ticket prices, sometimes above $30 on weekends, but there's no cover for mid-week bluegrass jams and Saturday afternoon shows.
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H
Pilot Tavern
A pumping after-worker, The Pilot got its start during WWII, which explains the aviation-themed decor and why it calls the patio the Flight Deck – an airborne terrace among the office tower windows. Stop by for live jazz sets on Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 3pm.
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I
Upstairs
This slick downtown bar hosts quality jazz and blues acts nightly, featuring both local and touring talent. The walled terrace behind the bar is enchanting at sunset, and the dinner menu features inventive salads and grilled meats and seafood.
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J
Le Va-et-Vient
This popular ‘cultural bistro’ straddles the boundaries between restaurant, music venue and exhibition space. Order a tasty microbrew and special bistro burger and settle down to an evening of jazz, Irish folk or roadhouse funk.
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K
Cubano’s Club
This undisputed hub of salsa, Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz gives dance classes during the day and sets standards of dexterity at night. Highlights here are the big Cuban orchestras and mambo competitions during the International Jazz Festival.
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L
Top O’ The Senator
The sassy jazz standards drifting from the Senator’s stage, just east o’ the Eaton Centre, are seductive and hypnotic. Serious hepcats like Branford Marsalis play here when they’re in town.
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M
Library Lounge
This refined space in a renovated hotel has some good sidewalk tables where you can ponder the passing parade. Inside it's all very dark wood and leaded glass, with live jazz some nights.
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House of Jazz
This mainstream-but-excellent jazz club and restaurant serves up Southern-style cuisine and live jazz daily. Prepare to wait if you haven’t reserved. Cover is usually only $5.
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O
Bistro à Jojo
This smoky venue in the Quartier Latin is the nightly place for down ‘n’ dirty French and English blues and rock groups. Sit close enough to see the band members’ sweat.
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Ship Pub
Attitudes and ages are checked at the door of this little pub, tucked down Solomon's Lane. You'll hear everything from jazz to indie, and even the odd poetry reading.
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Q
Bud's
Classic blues and good ol' fashioned rock and roll are the standards here. There is a weekly jam night if you feel like getting up and locking in the groove.
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R
Kaos
Jazz lovers unite at Kaos for nightly live music. The hip older crowd is a nice relief from the pubescent atmosphere found at some nightspots around town.
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S
Bearly's House of Blues & Ribs
The best blues musicians in Atlantic Canada play here at incredibly low cover charges. Wednesday karaoke nights draw a crowd as well as some fine singers.
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T
Jazz & Blues
Located in the McGill University student union building, the Jazz & Blues club stages regular concerts by McGill's excellent student bands.
reviewed
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