2020 INTERNATIONAL

Our Jazz Venue Guide is a passport to awesome music rooms

around the globe. On the following pages, the listings are
divided by geographic region, and a venue’s name in capital
letters indicates there is an advertisement for that establishment
within this guide.
Cyrille Aimée onstage at Dakota in Minneapolis Information for the guide was compiled by Yoshi Kato, Ken Micallef,
on April 3, 2019 (Photo: Andrea Canter) FEBRUARY
Sean J. O’Connell, Terry Perkins 2020
and DOWNBEAT
the 41 staff.
DownBeat
 UNITED STATES
Smoke, a jazz club in New York City NEW YORK

SMOKE
55 Bar
New York, NY
This beloved bar has hosted some of the
city’s most innovative players, from Wayne
Krantz and Zach Danziger to Mike Stern and
Nate Wood. Jazz is heard here two or three
nights a week, with blues and funk rounding
out the schedule. This popular Greenwich
Village haven fills up fast, so come early.
55bar.com

Birdland
New York, NY
The original Birdland dominated 52nd
Street in the ’40s, moved to the Upper
West Side in the ’90s, and today is firmly
planted in Manhattan’s theater district, not
far from Times Square. Then as now, some
of the finest jazz players in the world can
be heard in this spacious club. Performers
in January include Kurt Elling, Stacey Kent
and John Pizzarelli with Jessica Molaskey.
birdlandjazz.com

Blue Note
Bergonzi Quartet frequently perform at this New York, NY
EAST Inman Square venue. The Blue Note packs them in every night of
lilypadinman.com the week, and avid jazz fans often have the
CONNECTICUT opportunity to speak to the musicians after
Regattabar the set. There is consistently a dazzling lineup
Firehouse 12 at this Greenwhich Village hot spot: January
New Haven, CT Cambridge, MA
Since 1985, this 225-seat club overlooking brings Christian McBride, Antonio Sánchez
Firehouse 12 is a bar, a record label, a concert and the Dizzy Gillespie All Stars. In February,
venue and a recording studio. Located in the Harvard Square from the third floor of the
Charles Hotel has been a stop for national it’s Dee Dee Bridgewater and Bill Frisell.
historic 9th Square district, Firehouse 12’s bluenote.net
recording studio doubles as an intimate 75- acts. Look for upcoming performances by
seat auditorium, where its Jazz Series runs for Bill Frisell and the Peter Bernstein/Larry
12 weeks during the spring and fall. Guitarist Goldings/Bill Stewart Trio. Dizzy’s Club
Lage Lund and clarinetist Aaron Novik are regattabarjazz.com New York, NY
among the artists who have played here. Where else can you get a spectacular view
firehouse12.com Scullers Jazz Club of Central Park while hearing some of the
Boston, MA greatest names in jazz? The large, beautifully
Scullers has been a fixture on the Boston appointed space is a crown jewel in the
The Side Door Jazz Club Jazz At Lincoln Center family, presenting
Old Lyme, CT jazz scene since 1989, featuring top names
on weekends like Robert Glasper, Etienne jazz every night and Late Night Sessions
Located in the historic Old Lyme Inn (midway for the adventurous. Bookings in January
between Boston and New York), this club was Charles and Keyon Harrold, and occasional
Thursday sets by area musicians. An include Jimmy Cobb, Nelson Matta, Gonzalo
opened in 2013 by jazz impresario George Rubalcaba, Christian Sands and Benny Green.
Wein and his Newport All-Star band, ensuring appetizer menu is available.
scullersjazz.com jazz.org/dizzys
its future for years to come. Operated by jazz-
loving couple Ken and Chris Kitchings, the
venue will present the Tamir Hendelman Trio Wally’s Café Jazz Club Fat Cat
in January. Boston, MA New York, NY
thesidedoorjazz.com Wally’s was founded in 1947, and bills itself Where should you go if your ping-pong, pool
as “the musician’s training ground.” The tiny and shuffleboard skills are rusty but you’re
room lives up to that motto by showcasing also up for some New York City jazz? Fat
MARYLAND talented students from Berklee College of Cat is the place to exercise your hands,
ears and soul, all in one relaxed Greenwich
An Die Musik Live! Music and other area music schools over the
Village spot. Trio, ensemble and big band
Baltimore, MD course of three sets every night.
jazz performances are presented every
Located in a historic townhouse, this intimate wallyscafe.com night. Recent performers include David
75-seat venue offers an eclectic mix of jazz, Weiss & Point of Departure, Willie Martinez y
classical and other genres. There’s a bi- NEW JERSEY La Familia and the Ed Cherry Trio.
monthly jazz jam plus weekend sets by the
likes of Regina Carter and Dennis Chambers. Shanghai Jazz fatcatmusic.org
andiemusiklive.com Madison, NJ
Combining a world-class restaurant and The Iridium
jazz venue, Shanghai Jazz has hosted some New York, NY
MASSACHUSETTS stellar talent, including saxophonist Harry A 180-seat room devoted to all styles of music
The Lilypad Allen, vocalist Sarah Partridge and drum- seven nights a week, The Iridium presents jazz
Cambridge, MA mer Bernard Purdie. In business since 1995, from the trio of Wayne Krantz, Keith Carlock
The Lilypad features jazz, alt-rock and other Shanghai Jazz upholds jazz tradition and and Tim Lefebvre, as well as blues from Ana
styles seven nights a week (aside from offers exquisite dining. Popovic and Otis Taylor.
holidays). The Joe Hunt group and the Jerry shanghaijazz.com theiridium.com

42 DOWNBEAT FEBRUARY 2020

The Jazz Gallery January shows include Ari Hoenig, Joe
New York, NY Farnsworth, Mike DiRubbo, Chet Doxas and
Winner of the 2016, 2014 and 2010 CMA/ Simona Premazzi. Jazz is an all-night, every-
ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Pro- night affair at Smalls.
gramming, The Jazz Gallery maintains a smallslive.com
balance between fostering new jazz talent
and booking jazz celebrities. Hear jazz live, Smoke
three nights per week, 50 weeks per year. New York, NY
jazzgallery.org Located at the historic junction of 106th
Street (aka Duke Ellington Boulevard) and
Broadway, Smoke boasts excellent food and
Jazz Standard its own record label. And though it seats only
New York, NY 50, the club stays open until 3 a.m. Among
Boasting terrific acoustics and equally the artists performing in January are Emmet
renowned Southern cuisine, Jazz Standard Cohen, Bill Charlap and Vincent Herring.
has for more than a decade brought new
talent to prominence while hosting jazz smokejazz.com
luminaries. One of the few non-tipping
establishments in New York City, Jazz The Stone at The New School
Standard presents artists like the Maria New York, NY
Schneider Orchestra, Louis Hayes and Matt Now located in The New School, The Stone
Wilson. is New York’s number-one night spot for
jazzstandard.com creative improvisation beyond borders.
Founded in 2005 by John Zorn, The Stone
has played host to such forward-looking
(LE) POISSON ROUGE artists as Henry Grimes, Dave Burrell, Laurie
New York, NY Anderson, Mary Halvorson, Nels Cline and
Located in the same subterranean warren Gerry Hemingway.
that once housed The Village Gate, LPR is
renowned for its genre-bending ambitions, thestonenyc.com
hosting jazz, classical, new music, avant-
garde and indie rock. And like the Village Village Vanguard
Gate of the 1960s, LPR also hosts readings, New York, NY
comedy, film, DJs, theater and burlesque. Founded in 1935, the most revered
Cyrille Aimée hits LPR’s “Main Space” stage jazz room in New York is a bucket-list
on Feb. 20. destination for music lovers from around
lpr.com the globe. Upcoming January residecies
include the Julian Lage Trio, the Joe
Lovano & Dave Douglas Quintet and the
Mezzrow Jakob Bro Quartet. The Fred Hersch Trio
New York, NY arrives in early February. The Vanguard
Tiny, tube-shaped, underground Mezzrow Jazz Orchestra occupies the Monday-
is a bit like revisiting the glory days of night slot.
speakeasies and prohibition—but with
fine acoustics. Residencies by guitarist villagevanguard.com
Pasquale Grasso and various vocalists and
pianists make the joint hum, while regular PENNSYLVANIA
visits by artists like reedist Scott Robinson
keep customers glued to their seats. Cozy Chris’ Jazz Café
and intimate, Mezzrow is the sound of old Philadelphia, PA
New York, today. Celebrating its 30th year of six-nights-a-
week sets, Chris’ is the longest continuously
mezzrow.com running jazz club in Philadelphia. National
acts and strong local talent—as well as
Minton’s Playhouse owner/chef Mark DiNinno’s gourmet menu—
New York, NY add up to a winning combination.
Founded in 1938 by the saxophonist Henry chrisjazzcafe.com
Minton in Harlem, the revived Minton’s does
its best to live up to its fabled namesake.
Spacious yet intimate, Minton’s is joined to MCG Jazz
the Cecil Steakhouse. The Jason Marsalis Pittsburgh, PA
Big Band plays here frequently. The Manchester Craftsman’s Guild has
been presenting an outstanding annual
mintonsharlem.com concert series in a 350-seat space since
1987, as well as issuing live recordings of
Nublu the performances. Recent and upcoming
New York, NY bookings include the SFJAZZ Collective,
East Village nightspot Nublu hosts Nicole Mitchell and Cécile McLorin
jazz, funk, electronic and “Vinyl Only” Salvant.
nights in a three-level space that offers mcgjazz.org
excellent sightlines and people-watching.
The club’s recent 10-night jazz festival
included the Sun Ra Arkestra, Dave WASHINGTON, D.C.
Douglas and Donny McCaslin. The two Blues Alley
locations are 151 Avenue C, and Nubu Washington, D.C.
Classic at 62 Avenue C. Open every night (except major holidays),
nublu.net Blues Alley showcases a blend of national
names and area jazz performers. A full
Smalls menu features New Orleans dishes. Look for
New York, NY February/March sets by Cyrille Aimée and
A tiny place with terrific jazz, Smalls is where Kevin Eubanks. But be prepared to arrive
established players and upstarts co-mingle, early: Seating is general admission.
and fire-burning performances are the norm. bluesalley.com

FEBRUARY 2020 DOWNBEAT 43

STUDIO K AT THE KENNEDY CENTER LOUISIANA A two-level seating area features excellent
Washington, D.C. sightlines for a lineup of the top musicians
This 160-seat venue (or 250 standing) is
Blue Nile on the NOLA jazz scene, including regular
booked by Jason Moran, the Kennedy
New Orleans, LA performances by Ellis Marsalis.
One of the original clubs on the Frenchmen snugjazz.com
Center’s Artistic Director for Jazz, and the
Street scene presents music every night on
calendar reflects his wide-ranging tastes.
a main-level stage, as well as an upstairs
Upcoming shows include Jazzmeia Horn,
space with a balcony. Regular performers Tipitina’s
Linda May Han Oh, Bilal, and Kassa Overall New Orleans, LA
include NOLA fave Kermit Ruffins as well as
with Carmen Lundy. Featuring a lineup that covers the musical
occasional national acts.
kennedy-center.org spectrum from funk to jazz to rock, Tip’s
bluenilelive.com
is a legendary NOLA venue with roots
Twins Jazz that go back to 1977. Now owned by the
Washington, D.C.
Preservation Hall band Galactic, it has a strong commitment
This intimate club has been around since
New Orleans, LA to music education through the Tipitina
Several sets happen every night at this Foundation.
1987, with a move to its current U Street
famed French Quarter club, with an tipitinas.com
location in 2000. Sets run Wednesday
emphasis on traditional NOLA jazz and a
through Saturday with an emphasis on area
rotating cast of musicians in the Preservation
talent and jazz jams. The international menu
has an Ethiopian accent.
Hall All Stars. Late-night performances SOUTH CAROLINA
during Jazz Fest sell out quickly.
twinsjazz.com
preservationhall.com THE JAZZ CORNER
Hilton Head Island, SC
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, this 99-seat
Prime Example
SOUTH New Orleans, LA
venue offers music and gourmet food every
night. The Martin Lesch Band plays every
This intimate, triangular-shaped club in the Monday in January. International star Tierney
GEORGIA 7th Ward at Broad and St. Bernard isn’t far Sutton is scheduled for Feb. 8.
The Velvet Note from Fairgrounds Park, home of Jazz Fest.
You’ll find a strong focus on modern jazz thejazzcorner.com
Alpharetta, GA
Billed as an “acoustic living room,” this and blues Tuesday through Saturday.
venue presents jazz Thursday through primeexamplejazz.com TENNESSEE
Sunday in a space designed for comfort Rudy’s Jazz Room
with excellent acoustics. A full restaurant/ Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro Nashville, TN
bar adds to the ambience. Recent bookings New Orleans, LA A 2017 addition to Nashville’s music scene,
include Jeff Coffin and Mary Stallings. Snug Harbor has been presenting jazz Rudy’s presents jazz every night in an
thevelvetnote.com continuously ever since it opened in 1983. intimate setting, with a strong focus on

44 DOWNBEAT FEBRUARY 2020

regional musicians, as well as the occasional MICHIGAN
national act. Rudy’s offers a New Orleans-
based menu and a full bar. Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe
rudysjazzroom.com Gross Pointe Farms, MI
The 65-seat suburban Detroit club offers
music and food Tuesday through Satur-
TEXAS day. Guitarist Ron English holds down
SCAT JAZZ LOUNGE the Tuesday slot, and a mix of regional
Fort Worth, TX musicians and national names like Freddie
This basement club has music every night Cole and Tia Fuller perform here.
but Monday. There’s an emphasis on dirtydogjazz.com
regional musicians, and the Black Dog Jam,
the longest-running jam session in the city, MINNESOTA
happens every Sunday.
scatjazzlounge.com Crooners Lounge & Supper Club
Minneapolis, MN
Crooners offers three unique concert stages
for dinner-shows, with an emphasis on
MIDWEST regional artists. The Jerry Bergonzi Quartet
comes to town on Jan. 6 for two sets.
Cornetist Josh Berman performs
croonersloungemn.com
BRETT SWINNEY

at Constellation in Chicago.
Dakota Jazz Club
Minneapolis, MN
Open every night on the first floor of the
Target Plaza building, the Dakota features
an eclectic mix of jazz, rock, blues and folk.
Upcoming shows include the Rebirth Brass
Band (Jan. 25), Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials
(Jan. 31), Manhattan Transfer (Feb. 10–11)
and Stacey Kent (Feb. 23).
dakotacooks.com
Jazz in Chicago
MISSOURI
Downtown Chicago’s premier venue for Ferring Jazz Bistro
multi-night jazz residencies, the historic
Jazz Showcase presents top-tier talent The Harold & Dorothy Steward
from the world of straightahead jazz Center for Jazz
in an elegant, spacious environment St. Louis, MO
(jazzshowcase.com). Uptown, the Green The Center has a strong focus on jazz
Mill consistently draws top-notch local education and community outreach, and
and national jazz artists to its Prohibition- the 200-seat Ferring Jazz Bistro hosts jazz
era environs and buzzing late-night performances year round, featuring national
scene (greenmilljazz.com). Andy’s acts every other week, as well as area
Jazz Club, located in the bustling River musicians. Upcoming performances feature
North district, is a great place to grab The Bad Plus and Tim Warfield.
a bite to eat and enjoy an after-work jazzstl.org
cocktail while listening to some of the
area’s most popular jazz practitioners Murry’s
(andysjazzclub.com). Sporting a pair of Columbia, MO
concert spaces, Constellation, located Great food and jazz are a winning
on the city’s northwest side, offers a combination at Murry’s. Local acts are
variety of disciplines: jazz, contemporary presented Monday through Saturday. And
classical, dance and the occasional the “We Always Swing” concert series brings
film screening (constellation-chicago. big names to the intimate club for Sunday
com). A spiritual home for Chicago’s sets September through May.
avant-garde for more than a decade, the murrysrestaurant.net
Hungry Brain’s scruffy ambience belies
the exploratory nature of its bookings.
Appearing alongside local players are OHIO
international bandleaders tugging at the BLU JAZZ+
edges of jazz (hungrybrainchicago.com).
Interspersed with soul, r&b and hip-hop
Akron, OH
This general-admission club, open five
shows, Promonotory in Hyde Park
nights a week, mixes it up with a Tuesday
hosts road-tested jazz players, as well
blues jam, a Wednesday solo piano series,
as younger talent expanding the genre
and area musicians and occasional national
(promontorychicago.com).
acts. The venue’s Masterclass Foundation
promotes jazz education and mentorship.
blujazzakron.com
INDIANA Nighttown
THE JAZZ KITCHEN Cleveland, OH
Indianapolis, IN Founded in 1965, Nighttown has expanded
This 140-seat room showcases jazz or blues to six dining rooms and three bars. But for
acts every night, with a full menu and bar. music fans, the center of attention is the
Recent bookings include Gerald Albright, small stage that features jazz up to seven
John Pizzarelli, Regina Carter and Kneebody. nights a week. The focus is on area talent,
There’s a jazz jam every Monday. but big names also hit the stage.
thejazzkitchen.com nighttowncleveland.com

FEBRUARY 2020 DOWNBEAT 45

 has boasted one of the best jazz clubs in the

BACH DANCING & DYNAMITE SOCIETY

world. Miguel Zenón and the Preservation
Hall Jazz Band can show up on the same
week, rivaling some of the finest concert hall
bookings the West Coast has to offer.
kuumbwajazz.org

YOSHI’S
Oakland, CA
The pre-eminent East Bay music room hosts
jazz artists such as The Cookers and hip-hop
artists like Talib Kweli. Victor Wooten comes to
town Jan. 20–21. This revered room has been
offering sushi and swing since the early 1970s.
yoshis.com

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
The Baked Potato
Pianist Lynne Arriale, vocalist Charnée Wade and saxophonist Grace Kelly
Studio City, CA
perform at Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society in Half Moon Bay, California. Fusion bands and other electric groups call
this funky bar home. With music six nights
a week, this is a great spot to find top-shelf
session musicians playing for an appreciative
WEST NORTHERN CALIFORNIA yet low-key crowd.
BACH DANCING & DYNAMITE SOCIETY thebakedpotato.com
ARIZONA Half Moon Bay, CA
Established in 1964, this jazz salon presents Blue Whale
The Nash artists a few times a month, with Sunday Los Angeles, CA
Phoenix, AZ concerts starting at 4:30 p.m. Upcoming Open since 2009, this third-floor Little
Named after drummer Lewis Nash, a Phoenix shows include Kenny Garrett, The Cookers Tokyo nightclub has established a sterling
native, this club presents concerts, as well and Terence Blanchard. reputation with its combination of live jazz,
as an extensive offering of classes during the bachddsoc.org a visual art space and a bar. Listeners can
day. From big bands to touring small groups balance food and drink while seated on
led by the likes of Jimmy Cobb and Katie KUUMBWA JAZZ small blue cubes for acts both local and
Thiroux, no room swings harder in Arizona. Santa Cruz, CA international. Live music six nights a week.
thenash.org Since 1975, this surf-friendly college town bluewhalemusic.com

46 DOWNBEAT FEBRUARY 2020

Catalina Bar & Grill

YOSHI’S
Los Angeles, CA
This sprawling performance space is one of
the last places in Hollywood to host multi-
night headliners like Chick Corea, Poncho
Sanchez and Arturo Sandoval’s big band.
Live music is featured six nights a week.
catalinajazzclub.com

Sam First
Los Angeles, CA
This intimate, modern cocktail bar is
within walking distance of baggage claim
at LAX. Up-and-coming artists from the
nearby Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz
fill in the week, while big names like Billy
Childs perform on weekends.
samfirstbar.com

COLORADO Drummer Tommy Igoe and his band perform at Yoshi’s in Oakland, California.
Dazzle Jazz
Denver, CO
Located in the nearly 150-year-old Baur evening and brunch plans: “Food. Booze. seating. Upcoming shows include Chris
Building, this venue takes pride in its menu Jazz.” The jazz portion features both Botti (Jan. 14–19), Harriet Tubman (Jan.
and eclectic music fare. From gamelan local and touring bands, with a lot of 21–22), David Sanborn (Feb. 20–23) and
to soul, this room places jazz in a global straightahead acts playing tableside in the Cécile McLorin Salvant (March 31–April 1).
context with upcoming visits from Etienne dining room. jazzalley.com
Charles and Javon Jackson among the the1905.org
diverse options. The Royal Room
dazzlejazz.com WASHINGTON Seattle, WA
Located in the Columbia City neighborhood,
OREGON Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley this nearly 10-year-old venue was the
Seattle, WA brainchild of musician Wayne Horvitz. The
The 1905 For more than 30 years, this magnet for big- warm space hosts educational programs
Portland, OR name touring jazz acts has served Seattle and evening sets by local jazz artists.
This venue is straightforward about your with a capacity of 350-plus and balcony theroyalroomseattle.com

FEBRUARY 2020 DOWNBEAT 47

 INTERNATIONAL
venue/bar/Arta Records label shop hosts

COURTESY STOCKWERK JAZZ

local jazz artists nightly and international,
touring musicians such as drummer/
vocalist Jamison Ross.
agharta.cz

The Jazz Dock

Prague
Creative architecture, high-end meals,
appealing drinks, a view of the Vltava River
and concerts by top-shelf artists make this a
bucket-list destination.
jazzdock.cz

DENMARK
Stockwerk Jazz in Graz, Austria
Jazzhus Montmartre
Copenhagen
Born in 1959 and reborn in 2010, this
nonprofit space hosts Scandinavian and
AUSTRALIA BRAZIL other touring jazz artists most nights.
Foundry616 Blue Note Rio Trumpeter Jeremy Pelt and guitarist Jakob
Sydney Rio de Janeiro Bro are recent headliners.
Located near Sydney’s Darling Harbour, Part of the famous Blue Note chain of jazzhusmontmartre.dk
this club features the best of the Australian clubs, this venue is temporarily closed, but
scene, as well as international guests. is scheduled to reopen in a new location in ENGLAND
foundry616.com.au Rio during the first quarter of 2020.
bluenoterio.com.br Cafe OTO
London
Venue 505 Commissions, residencies and concert
Sydney CANADA recordings are part of the programming at
Jazz jams, groove-oriented bands and Dièse Onze this venue, which presents music nightly.
straightahead explorations are presented six Montreal cafeoto.co.uk
nights a week on this 16-year-old bandstand. This cozy, 14-year-old club is a favorite
venue505.com spot for dedicated jazz fans. Anchored Jazz Cafe
by the Kim Richardson Trio’s vocal jam London
AUSTRIA sessions on Sundays, the club also offers Pairing gourmet food with nightly concerts,
flamenco on Mondays, as well as local and Jazz Cafe has seated views upstairs and
Blue Tomato touring musicians. A superb kitchen offers a downstairs dance floor. Funk and soul
Vienna tapas, salads, entrées and desserts. bookings share the marquée with the likes
From Thursday through Saturday, traditional dieseonze.com of iconic jazz drummer Billy Cobham.
and modern jazz is presented in this
thejazzcafelondon.com
comfortable spot. Sun of Goldfinger and
Ballister are among recent headliners. FRANKIE’S JAZZ CLUB
bluetomato.cc
Vancouver Ronnie Scott’s
Italian cuisine, West Coast musicians London
and touring talent (including organist Since 1959, Ronnie Scott’s has been
Jazzland Larry Goldings) all can be enjoyed here presenting and celebrating the biggest
Vienna Wednesday through Sunday nights. names in jazz and blues in the heart of
The 48-year-old cellar-level club presents London’s Soho district. The legendary
concerts Monday through Saturday. There’s club has a reputation among world-renown
an exciting Rising Star series, as well as artists for its great sound, excellent sight
shows by the likes of pianist/vocalist Dena The Rex Jazz & Blues Bar
Toronto lines, storied history and highly supportive
DeRose and trumpeter Valery Ponomarev. patrons. Many memorable albums have
For 18 concerts weekly, this musicians’
jazzland.at congregating point is the place to catch local been recorded here.
artists and touring musicians. Affordability ronniescotts.co.uk
PORGY & BESS is one of its hallmarks, and craft beer
Vienna connoisseurs will rejoice. The Vortex
A favorite of musicians, this nonprofit therex.ca London
space champions European jazz, as well as This intimate nonprofit establishment
presenting bands from around the world. features straightahead jazz, modern styles
The Austrian Jazzcomposers Orchestra
Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill
Montreal and free-improv. British saxophone titan
and Portuguese vocalist Carmen Souza Evan Parker has a monthly residency.
headlined in late 2019. From midweek student jams to weekend
showcase headliners like pianist Jean- vortexjazz.co.uk
porgy.at Michel Pilc, concerts at this 25-year-old
gem embody a communal spirit. ESTONIA
Stockwerk Jazz upstairsjazz.com
Graz Philly Joe’s Jazz Club
Taking its adult beverages as seriously as it Tallinn
does its jazz, this club presents everything CZECH REPUBLIC Founded in 2014, the club has partnered
from solo shows to big bands. International AghaRTA Jazz Centrum with local organizations to present
artists stop by amid a schedule of regional Prague concerts, workshops, master classes and
talent. Launched the day after Miles Davis died (in films.
stockwerkjazz.mur.at 1991) and named after his 1975 album, this phillyjoes.com

48 DOWNBEAT FEBRUARY 2020

 FINLAND ISRAEL RUSSIA
Storyville Beit Haamudim IGOR BUTMAN JAZZ CLUB
Helsinki Tel Aviv Moscow
Storyville’s cuisine is as much a signature From classic guitar and saxophone trios to Famed saxophonist Igor Butman often
as its namesake neighborhood’s musical quartets, quintets and jam sessions, Beit leads his own big band at his namesake
heritage. This two-story venue has a piano Haamundim hosts the best of Israeli’s jazz club, which also presents other Russian
bar above and a supper club below for four scene seven days a week. instrumentalists, as well as vocalists and
lively musical nights each week. facebook.com/BeitHaamudim international touring jazz musicians.
storyville.fi butmanclub.ru
ITALY
FRANCE Alexanderplatz SENEGAL
Duc Des Lombards Rome La Cave du Djoloff
Paris Celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2020 Dakar
Between jam sessions and concert tributes to after a brief closure, Italy’s premier jazz club Since 2017, the Djoloff Boutique Hotel’s
greats such as McCoy Tyner, the 35-year-old continues to emphasize trio and quartet subterranean venue has hosted local and
hot spot alternates between presenting touring concerts in classic and modern styles. international artists like vocalist Lisa Simone,
talent (vocalist/pianist Patricia Barber) and local alexanderplatzjazz.com drummer Tony Allen and national treasure
artists (violinist Aurore Voilqué). Orchestra Baobob.
ducdeslombards.fr JAPAN hoteldjoloff.fr

Le Caveau de la Huchette Body & Soul

Paris Tokyo SOUTH AFRICA
Whether one looks back to its start as a jazz Since 1974, this venue (which seats about The Crypt
club in 1946 or vibraphonist Dany Doritz’s 49 50) has presented mostly domestic talent. Cape Town
years of guidance, this “temple of swing” is bodyandsoul.co.jp Located in St. George’s Cathedral, this
home to music seven nights a week. unique venue recently reopened. It has a
caveaudelahuchette.fr Shinjuku Pit Inn Monday night jam session, concerts through
Tokyo Saturday night, a restaurant and a bar.
New Morning Known for showcasing domestic artists and cryptjazz.co.za
Paris serving snacks and drinks, this 53-year-old
Blues, klezmer, funk and disco nights mix venue (27 years in its current location) is a
with straightahead and fusion styles at this serious and revered listening room. SPAIN
38-year-old musical and social hot spot. pit-inn.com Harlem Jazz Club
newmorning.com Barcelona
MEXICO Like its namesake, this venue is rooted in
Sunset-Sunside jazz but now includes genres such as salsa,
Zinco Jazz Club flamenco and soul.
Paris Mexico City
Offering music nightly, this club has hosted harlemjazzclub.es
With an enviable menu and a simple decor,
stars such as pianist Jacky Terrasson and this club has earned a reputation for hipness.
guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel. On-stage shows have included a tribute to Jamboree
sunset-sunside.com Billie Holiday, a big band and a Gypsy jazz Barcelona
unit. From Duke Ellington and Ornette Coleman
to Barcelona native son Jorge Rossy,
GERMANY zincojazz.com
Jamboree has hosted jazz greats since
A-Trane 1960.
Berlin THE NETHERLANDS jamboreejazz.com
Bassist/vocalist Katie Thiroux and tenor Bimhuis
saxophonist Melissa Aldana are among the Amsterdam SWEDEN
touring artists to play this 27-year-old spot, Located near Amsterdam’s Central Station,
which serves German and international cuisine. this internationally acclaimed concert Fasching
a-trane.de hall boasts a 45-year history and more Stockholm
than 300 concerts annually by the likes Founded in 1977, Fasching is a hybrid
concert venue/restaurant/bar/nightclub.
BIX Jazzclub of Transylvanian pianist Lucian Ban and
Jazz, dance and folk artists are all presented,
Stuttgart American vocalist Becca Stevens.
including trumpeter Jeremy Pelt, German
Mouth-watering food options and live bimhuis.com
pianist Florian Weber and the Brooklyn Funk
music Tuesday through Saturday make this Essentials.
13-year-old space pop. It has hosted local NORWAY
artists such as pianist Olivia Trummer and fasching.se
touring talent such as Raul Midón. Victoria Nasjonal Jazz Scene
bix-stuttgart.de Oslo SWITZERLAND
Housed in a stylish setting, Victoria Nasjonal
Jazz Scene can accommodate 300 people. Marian’s Jazz Room
Jazz im Prinz Karl Norway’s vibrant jazz scene is represented Bern
Tübingen here, as are touring musicians like vocalist This 130-capacity, 27-year-old room is open
The 42-year-old membership-driven Kurt Elling. from September through May. It offers two
institution recently has presented bands led sets a night Tuesday through Saturday.
by trumpeter Wallace Roney, saxophonist nasjonaljazzscene.no/en
mariansjazzroom.ch
Nubya Garcia and bassist Ben Williams.
jipk.net PORTUGAL
Hot Clube de Portugal TURKEY
Jazzkeller Lisbon Nardis Jazz Club
Frankfurt This 70-year-old club has hosted the likes of Istanbul
Featuring a jam session on Wednesdays, this Sidney Bechet and Count Basie. It presents Housed in a historic building and seating
cellar spot is one of the oldest jazz venues in a Tuesday-night jam session, and touring 120 people, Nardis presents mostly local
Europe. It presents a variety of ensembles, artists and tribute shows Wednesday musicians, two sets a night, Monday
from piano trios to big bands. through Saturday. through Saturday.
jazzkeller.com hcp.pt nardisjazz.com

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