The Rebirth of (Harlem) Jazz

Once upon a time, in the not-so-distant past, all the world flocked to Harlem for jazz. (Well, at least all of New York City.) Well, boys and girls, Harlem jazz is back - with the exception of a few places that held fast throughout the enclave's various ups and downs, and others that mired in obscurity, only to be noticed and appreciated by busloads of toursists. I, personally, am inviting everyone and their neighbors, to come to Harlem to enjoy heaping helpings of classic, reminiscent Harlem jazz. Here is where you will go:

Minton's Playhouse

This place is right around the corner from me, and I'm sad to say that it had the quietest grand re-opening ever. (It must've been quiet if I didn't know about it!) Minton's Playhouse, the classic '30s Harlem jazz house that discovered legends like Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie and Thelonious Monk, has dusted off its small stage and is ready to resume jazz history making. They reopened in May 2006, keeping their original neon sign in tact. Considering its legend, Minton's visitors - from what I can tell - have been few and far between. In other words, Get your a&$ up here!!! 210 W 118th Street (bt. 7th & St. Nicholas) 212.864.8346. Visit the Minton's site for more details.

Bill's Place If you really want to hear no nonsense straight ahead jazz by the masters, find your way to Bill's Place - a finely decorated brownstone on W. 133rd Street. Your host is Harlem legend, saxophonist, Bill Saxton, who performs every Friday and turns the stage over to peers and emerging artists on Saturdays. Styled after the Harlem speakeasies and jazz joints of 1920s and '30s, Bill's Place is on its way to becoming the most worshipped weekend jazz scene in the city. Two sets per night at 10 and midnight for a $10 donation. Reservations strongly suggested. 148 W. 133rd Street (Lenox and AC Powell Jr. Blvd.) 212. 281. 0777. Read more about Bill's Place HERE.

• St. Nick's Pub

But, Of course! St. Nick's Pub hasn't missed a beat since 1940, when it was Lucky's Rendezvous and owned by Duke Ellington's piano player, Lucky Roberts. The Pub, like most things Harlem, has recently gotten a face-lift and is under new ownership. They've added free food with no cover charge and are filling up the schedule with weekly gigs, 7 nights a week from 10pm - 2am. Visit the St. Nick's web site for scheduling. 773 St. Nicholas Blvd. (Corner of 149th St.) 212.283.9728

• Big Apple Jazz/EZ's Woodshed

• Parlor Entertainment

Consider yourself privileged if you get to get buzzed up to Apt. #3F for a Parlor Entertainment jazz session. Marjorie and Rudel welcome folks into their home every Sunday afternoon at 4:00 sharp to enjoy two sets of standards and original music provided by a rotating roster of NYC's finest musicians. It is a labor of love for the jazz veteran, Marjorie Eliot, who says she started her Sunday jazz salon to 'share the music that has been the center of her life'. No cover; tip jar; complimentary salad and punch. It is the warmest, most inviting environment you could ever hope to find yourself in. The jazz salon takes place every Sunday, all year long, rain or shine! No reservations necessary. 555 Edgecombe Ave, #3F (Corner of 160th St.) 212.781-6595. Learn more about Parlor Entertainment HERE.

There are several more Harlem jazz spots, and I haven't forgotten about them, I've simply run out of time....for the moment. Perhaps I'll pick up here in the next issue. Til then, visit bigapplejazz.com for additional venues.

There's one more place I wanted to mention though, not because it's a bona-fide jazz hub, but mainly because it's likely to be the only place in towm where you can get Organic Chinese food :-)

 

• Ginger

A beautiful venue specializing, again, in freshly prepared Organic Chinese food! They do have a Sunday jazz brunch from 1-3pm every Sunday. No cover. Jazz or not, visit and eat freshly made, healthy Chinese food for a change. Did I say Organic? Let me say it again: ORGANIC! Open 7:30am - 10:30pm daily. 1400 5th Avenue (at 116th Street) 212. 423.1111. Visit the Ginger site to find out more about the restaurant and to take a peek at this awesome looking space!.

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This is Fun and Educational: Explore Harlem's jazz history through this one famous photograph @ Harlem.org:

photo by Art Kane 1958

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You can bowl in Harlem too!

Growing up in Detroit, bowling alleys were a dime a dozen. Of course that has changed but, when I moved to New York and I couldn't find one (at least not in Manhattan). Well, actually I did find just one. Then Chelsea Piers opened up many, many years later and there were two. Now you can bowl in Harlem too....which means that I don't have to travel downtown (to a potentially child-unfriendly place) or wrestle the West Side Highways winds, traffic, or commute to empty my wallet at Chelsea Piers. This is the first time in three decades that Upper Manhattan has been home to its own bowling alley! Owners, Sharon Joseph and Gail Richards realized it was time to bring the bowling experience back to Harlem. In doing so, they are making history as the first black women to own a bowling alley in the United States!!!