Blues, Jazz entertainment in North America
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Lunario del Auditorio Nacional
Major jazz artists from throughout the hemisphere perform at this large, classy nightclub adjacent to the national auditorium. Seating is at tables that ascend back from the stage, and cocktails and snacks are served. Enter off the right side of the Auditorio.
reviewed
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B
Baked Potato
Near Universal Studios a dancing spud beckons you to come inside this diminutive jazz and blues hall where the schedule mixes no-namers with big-timers, including Mike Landon and Kevin Eubanks from the Tonight Show. Drinks are stiff but baked potatoes are optional.
reviewed
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C
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.
reviewed
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D
Smalls Jazz Club
Living up to its name, this cramped but appealing basement jazz den offers a grab-bag collection of jazz acts who take the stage nightly. Cover for the evening is $20 (including a free drink Sunday through Thursday) – with a come-and-go policy if you need to duck out for a slice.
reviewed
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E
Matteo’s Underground Lounge
Outside the city limits near Hoover Dam, this hangout is made for indie- and punk-music lovers. Sometimes jazz bands play midweek, either in the lounge or outdoors on the patio, with open-mic nights on weekends. Call ahead to check schedules before making the drive all the way out here.
reviewed
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F
Jazz Gallery
A cultural center rather than your typical jazz club – there’s no bar here, folks – the Gallery is for fans who are really serious about their music. The small space with great acoustics hosts several shows per week, often with two sets per night. Tickets are typically $10 to $20.
reviewed
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G
Houdini's Lounge
Houdini's, next to the baccarat area in the Monte Carlo Hotel, offers a dark and comfy respite from the clamour and glamour. Piano jazz, magic tricks and other entertainment may take place here, but even if they don't, this luxe lounge is still ideal for a soothing drink and tête-à-tête.
reviewed
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H
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.
reviewed
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Amnesia
Amnesia’s swinging scene is reminiscent of the jazz era, but in ragtag-hipster style. Red-hot jazz plays half the time in the dim, red-walled dive, attracting a boho crowd looking the part. Other nights run the gamut from bluegrass and burlesque to Argentinean gypsy guitar and psychedelic rock (the latter every Thursday).
reviewed
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J
St Nick’s Pub
You can literally take the A train to this amazing place to hear raw jazz created by musicians for musicians (beginning at 10pm nightly); the stage is taken by open jams on Monday and Saturday nights. Later in the evening, big-name jazz cats come from their bigger gigs around town, keeping it real and live here at the Pub.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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L
Regattabar
Why does Boston have such clean jazz clubs? Regattabar looks just like a conference room in a hotel – in this case the Charles Hotel. They get big enough names (Virginia Rodrigues, Keb Mo) to transcend the mediocre space, though. As it only has 225 seats, you're guaranteed a good view and the sound system is excellent.
reviewed
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M
Noir Bar
On the 18th floor of this sleek Downtown high-rise you'll find Noir Bar: a dark and sexy lounge, all black except for splashes of orange and red which come courtesy of the geometric candles along the bar. Be sure to saunter into the lobby after a few drinks, where you can peer over the bay and into the night sky through a high-powered telescope.
reviewed
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N
Willee’s Blues Bar
One of Santa Fe’s last remaining dance clubs, Willee’s offers live jazz and blues Wednesday through Saturday – everyone from John Lee Hooker Jr, Leon Russell and Rockin’ Jake have performed. DJs spin a mix of tunes Monday through Wednesday nights. Willee’s serves good bar food, should you need to soak up the booze.
reviewed
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O
Bruno's
The stage spilleth over at this little joint with a big sound: 20 brass-wielding masters often cram in for Jazz Mafia Tuesdays. Multiple chambers include the narrow, padded-wall Cork Club with a Hammond organ for weekend funk nights, and a swanky piano lounge, where students and well-dressed jazz aficionados arrive early for the Tuesday night around US$8 beer-burger-fries special.
reviewed
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Wally’s Café
When Wally's opened in 1947, Barbadian immigrant Joseph Walcott became the first African-American to own a nightclub in New England. Old-school, gritty and small, it still attracts a racially diverse crowd to hear jammin' jazz music 365 days a year. Wally’s is the kind of place where someone on stage will recognize a high-caliber out-of-town musician in the crowd and convince them to play.
Berklee students love this place, especially the weekend jam sessions (6pm to 8pm Saturday and Sunday).
reviewed
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Q
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.
reviewed
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R
Scullers Jazz Club
A more mature music experience, this club books big names (Dave Brubeck, Dr John, Michael Franks) in a small room. Though it enjoys impressive views over the Charles, the room itself lacks the grit you might hanker for in a jazz club. It feels like it's inside a Doubletree Hotel (which it is). Book in advance.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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Sancho Panza
As much a visual as a culinary treat, Sancho Panza is one of San Lucas' most high-profile restaurants. The chef cleverly fuses Mediterranean and Latin tastes to create exquisite dishes such as sea bass with cherry tomatoes and wild mushrooms, lamb shank Ossobuco, or portabella mushroom filet in a red-wine reduction. The wine bar is superb, and Cuban art adorns the walls. There's also live jazz most nights. Reservations recommended after 19:00.
Cuban art adorns the walls and cool sounds, among them live jazz, keep the ambience vibrant.
reviewed
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House of Blues
The House of Blues is back! It was a sad day when the little blue house in Harvard Square became another Irish pub. But as of 2009, there is a new HOB on Lansdowne St and it is bigger and better than ever. Never mind the ridiculously tight security measures. Open only a few weeks at the time of research, it had already seen the likes of the reunited J Geils Band, BB King, George Clinton, George Thorogood, the Gypsy Kings and the Dropkick Murphys. Standing room only; two levels. Dig the gospel brunch on Sundays. We still miss the little blue house, though.
reviewed
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V
BB King's
A full restaurant serving ribs and Southern favorites, BB's is better known for its friendly fun-seeking crowd and great live music.
reviewed