55 Bar is a prohibition-era dive in Greenwich Village with a nightly line-up of some of the best of both up-and-coming and established acts in NYC. With a cheap cover (generally around $10) and reasonable drink prices, 55 Bar is an excellent hangout in the Village. Acts range from straight ahead trios, quartets and vocalists to an eclectic mix of gospel & funk groups, and even the occasional educational program …more…

Step into old-world charm and class at this swanky Upper East Side location. Slide into a plush leather seat and admire the original Ludwig Bemelmans (creator of Madeline) murals that line the walls. Then unwind with the sounds of an array of live music emanating from the center of the room. The music schedule changes often, and very rarely will you find anything less than the finest pianists and vocalists …more…

Today’s Birdland is more than 40 years and two venue changes removed from the original club, but the legacy it represents is one of the most celebrated in the jazz world. Named for bebop saxophonist Charlie “Yardbird” Parker, the original Birdland represented the epitome of jazz, with its illustrious line-up, famous clientele, and all-night jam sessions. The club also played host …more…

Established in 1981, Blue Note quickly became one of the most illustrious jazz venues in New York City, dubbing itself the home of artists such as Sarah Vaughn, Lionel Hampton, Dizzy Gillespie, and Oscar Peterson. Since then, Blue Note has expanded from its original Greenwich Village location to become an international franchise with locations in Italy and Japan.

While the …more…

Just around the corner from more than a few of NYC’s great jazz hot-spots, Fat Cat NYC is a combination bar, nightclub, jazz venue and game room, making it something akin to a neighborhood living room in the West Village. The nightly jazz acts and jam sessions make for a cool atmosphere, perfect for relaxation. ...more...

For simplicity and class, you can’t beat The Kitano, with live jazz six nights each week in a convenient Midtown location. Mondays feature an Open Jam Session, Tuesdays play host to a solo piano series, Wednesday through Saturday is prime time for any number of great touring acts, with shows at 8 pm and 10 pm, and Sunday features a Jazz Brunch in the morning.

The …more…

The original Smalls opened in 1993; over the course of its 14 year life, it became a wildly popular late-night hangout for a truly diverse group of musicians and jazz lovers. Luminaries from Norah Jones to Brad Mehldau trod the dive-y boards of the basement performance space. But 9/11 and financial problems caused a great amount of upheaval in the …more…

A great jazz supper club on the Upper West Side? Who would’ve guessed? Smoke Jazz & Supper Club is wonderful addition to the already legendary NYC jazz scene. The performers, generally up-and-coming players and established area favorites, are uniformly fantastic and the atmosphere is impeccable.

Cover charges on the weekends & minimums can run a little steep, but the premium you pay is not without …more…

The first stop on any jazz-lover’s pilgrimage to New York City should be The Village Vanguard. While other legendary venues have changed hands and locations a number of times, the Vanguard has remained in its original Greenwich location since opening in 1935. Originally conceived as a venue for sketch comedy and poetry, the Vanguard is run today by Lorraine …more…

With adventurous programming and a basement lounge vibe not to be beaten, Zinc Bar is another Village hot spot with a great reputation for excellent music and atmosphere. Friday nights feature the unsurprisingly niche “African jazz,” and Brazilian jazz is doled out in heavy doses throughout Zinc’s schedule. A healthy balance of known and unknown artists keep things fresh. ...more...