All That Jazz

A little bass. Then some piano. The hint of a cymbal, a steady drum beat, and maybe a saxophone or two. The scintillating sounds of jazz can be loud and lively or soft and soothing, and they can certainly enhance the atmosphere of any locale. Yet, while I consider myself a jazz fan, I had yet to explore the city’s jazz scene – until this week, that is, when I found not one but two great spots for jazz.

After doing a little online research in preparation for a visit from a friend from out of town, I made a reservation at Jazz Standard for us on Thursday evening. A short cab ride away, Jazz Standard is housed below the Blue Smoke Barbecue restaurant on 27th Street between Park and Lexington. A long staircase leads from the foyer of Blue Smoke down to the spacious lounge, where a rotating schedule of featured performers put on nightly sets at 7:30 and 9:30, with an 11:30 set on Fridays and Saturdays. As we took our seats at a bar table overlooking the stage, we were impressed by the club’s classy, upscale feel and warm candlelit atmosphere. No matter where patrons were seated, they were privy to a great view of the stage and a sense of intimacy provided by the well-spaced tables.

Since doors opened for our 9:30 set at 8:45 (and we were encouraged to arrive by 9), we were given an opportunity to browse the menu dropped off by our prompt and friendly server before the show started. Jazz Standard offers items from the Blue Smoke Barbecue restaurant upstairs, as well as desserts and specialty drinks, so patrons have a variety of options. Yet, with no minimum order requirements, guests can feel free to pay the reasonable cover charge and simply enjoy the music. We had already eaten dinner, so skipped the barbecue menu and selected drinks from the specialty menu, which included New Orleans-themed libations like Lynchburg Lemonade and various gin- and whiskey-filled concoctions. We also chose a dessert – a warm pear crisp with gingersnap ice cream – that in itself would have been worth the trip, as it was simply delicious.

But, of course, drinks and dessert weren’t the only things we had come for. The evening’s featured performer was the Danilo Pérez Trio. Panamanian pianist and composer Danilo Pérez, along with Ben Street on bass and Adam Cruz on drums, impressed jazz alums and newcomers alike with his original pieces. The trio’s lively sound set toes tapping all over the club, and Pérez wowed the crowd with his skilled piano-playing. The nearly 90-minute set flew by in what felt like 30 minutes and was definitely well-worth the $25 cover charge.

Friday evening found us enjoying live jazz as well, although this time with a French twist, at Brasserie Julien, the French restaurant on 3rd Avenue between 80th and 81st Streets. We arrived for our 8:00 reservation and were seated at a cozy corner table, where we were able to take in the restaurant’s romantic candlelit atmosphere, with its warm yellow walls, rich woodwork, and Art Deco décor.

Enhancing the intimate Parisian feel was French saxophonist and composer Sedric Choukroun and his band. Accompanied at times by a violin, a guitar, soft drums, and even a flute, Choukroun’s music filled Brasserie Julien with lovely French sounds that provided the perfect backdrop for what turned out to be an excellent meal. The duck à l’orange was delicious, as was the suckling pig brochette special, and for dessert we dipped fresh fruit and cookies into an amazing chocolate fondue. Everything was served by a friendly and attentive wait staff, and we lingered long after our meal to enjoy the ambience and most especially the jazz.

Choukroun performs at Brasserie Julien on Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 10:30, and on Fridays and Saturdays from 7 to 12. Meanwhile, Jazz Standard is open seven nights a week. For the schedule of upcoming artists, click here and here.