Where to Experience Live Jazz in New York City
Jazz music is rooted in New Orleans but found its groove on West 52nd Street in the 1930s dominating the New York City nightlife. However, Jazz clubs are now non-existent in the two block radius of West 52nd Street, between 5th and 7th Avenues.
New York city is filled with local and historic jazz clubs and speakeasies. The live jazz scene has faded, however, clubs across the city in neighborhoods like Harlem, Midtown and Williamsburg, are preserving the live jazz culture and sharing that immersive experience with jazz lovers.
Located in Greenwich Village, the Village Vanguard opened in 1935 and almost a century later, it is still playing live jazz music in the Big Apple. The club was founded and owned by the late Max Gordon before being inherited by his daughter Deborah Gordon after her mothers passing.
“The experience of hearing live music is something that is unique to itself,” Gordon said. Adding that people visit the iconic club because they get to experience hearing live music in an intimate space with great acoustics.
Similarly, in Harlem, Room 623 engages its guests in an immersive experience. Located on West 119th Street, guests are seated merely three inches away from the musicians according to the clubs creative director and host, Marcus Goldhaber, in an effort to absorb the musical experience.
“There’s nothing like being in person,” Goldhaber said.
He added that the club features artists who not only love and enjoy performing jazz music, but those who love engaging with their fans, making the live experience even better.
“Every night is different. It’s filled with spontaneity, compassion and kindness and live jazz,” Goldhaber said. “It has this synergistic feel to it that I think is extremely unique.”
Birdland Jazz Club nods to jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker who was known as “bird” and served as the clubs original headliner. Birdland opened in 1949 on Broadway off West 52nd Street but closed in 1965 when Rock and Roll became the biggest hitmaker in the city. After a few moves around town, Birdland built its current nest in Midtown a few blocks from Time Square.
These are just a few of the hot spots that still play live jazz music. The list goes on. While West 52nd Street may have changed its tune, fans can travel throughout the five boroughs to get all jazzed up.
Davaughnia is an Arts and Culture reporter for City Newsroom in New York City. She has experience in news, feature and magazine writing, as well as audio and video journalism.