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If you’re a jazz freshman, there is a standard answer when the question is asked, "Where should I go to see jazz?" Village Vanguard, Blue Note, Sweet Basil, Iridium. That’s the short answer. These four clubs handle the most highly regarded straight jazz acts of the day. $25 and a reservation will get you where you’re going. The evening will cost more but for arguments sake let’s say $25 will get you in the door. Of these top clubs, the Village Vanguard has the best bookings at the best price and a no smoking policy. On the flip side, Blue Note has the best bookings at the worst price, but you can sit at the bar and smoke for $25. The tickets for table seating at Blue Note usually run $10 more with a $5 minimum. One thing about living in the town where you can "take the ‘A’ train to go to Sugar Hill way up in Harlem" is that you can actually still do that. Think about the poor, hungry jazz freaks in Frankfurt, Tokyo, Copenhagen and LA. They’re in their homes right now spinning their Johnny Hodges discs and dreaming about the Big Apple – cursing their lives because they’re not here taking a big bite. You know how our mothers used to tell us to finish everything on our plate…we have a similar responsibility and culpability if we fail to go out and bug out at Adam Vasquez at St. Nicks Pub. Today he’s just a kid taking his solos, paying his dues, making beautiful sounds—tomorrow he may be commanding Blue Note ticket prices.
To make it to the Monday night jam session at St. Nicks Pub by subway, get on the front of the A and get off at 145th St. As you exit the station to the left you're on 147th St., and if all your previous brainwashing about Harlem hasn't frozen you with panic, then mosey uptown a block and a half more and Berta Alloway will make you feel welcome indeed. She's the reason why jazz has come home to roost in Harlem, by creating a familial atmosphere where everyone's swinging in rhythm. In the existential space that exists between St. Nicks Pub and Blue Note are clubs like Zinc, Izzy, Jules, and Dharma which have the nouveau downtown chic thing down and often book some extraordinary music. Those clubs are free to five dollar venues and you can talk as the performers blow. (But don't talk too loudly if I'm sitting next to you trying to go into my jazz trance). Other fine clubs like Birdland, Zinnos, Knickerbocker and The Jazz Standard can be grouped flippantly into different pigeon holes, but there is one worth highlighting that stands alone: Smalls (183 W10th and 7th Ave. 212 929-7565). This subterranean iconoclastic cauldron of steamy jazz stew is already a New York icon that has the potential of following The Factory and The Knitting Factory into the realm of genre-spawning. A Smalls performance has that earthy, intelligent, righteous workshop feel that takes itself damn seriously -- which isn't a bad thing vis-à-vis the "Just Sell Out" nineties. The musicians who play there regularly are as serious about their composing and arranging as they are about their blowing. As the antidote to pop culture, they may eventually be responsible for a Village Renaissance. These may be heady notions, but the feel of the club itself is more tushy oriented -- if your timing is right you can plant your can on a comfortable couch and swill free virgin drinks for ten hours till the jams end at eight AM. (Brown bags are welcome). All this for the all ages price of ten dollars. Right across 7th Ave. from Smalls at 163 W10th is the jazz shop that would be king. With hours from 1:00 to 9:00PM, the tiny Village Jazz Shop is the place where musicians and patrons mingle among the stacks of cds, books, t-shirts, an art collection and some lps. Owner and jazz raconteur Russ Musto has a special room dedicated to his heroic rare lp collection which is opened by appointment only (212 741-2635). He runs the store as an indulgence, stating that he'd be embarrassed to live in a city that didn't have a store like his. Its a one of kind place which graces you with the intangible benefits of mom and pop authenticity. In these days of Dis-NY on 42nd St., and Rent impersonating the East Village experience, and slyly sprouting malls, the gall factor is near to choking. As New York starts losing its authenticity it is no small comfort that James Newton was correct: Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Jazz has been a part of this city's fabric for 80 years and its bebopping its resistance to the Los Angelesation of Manhattan louder than ever. So the mayor wants to berate the hot dog guys and cabbies, he wont be around forever to screw things up. In the meantime, Ill be happy so long as he doesn't mess around with the club curfew, 'cause this city wont mean a thing if aint got that swing. Gordon Polatnick is a New York City tour guide specializing in jazz tours. If you or a family member or friend, are planning a trip to the Village, do yourself a favor and contact Gordon, first. He is a thorough professional and will make your musical experience one you will never forget! (212) 304-8186. bebopping@bigapplejazz.com or visit www.bigapplejazz.com.
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woke up one morning and smelled the coffee:
New York City is the jazz capital of the world. I stopped later that night
and smelled the roses: Around about midnight I saw James Carter jamming
with the Sugar Hill Jazz Quartet at St. Nick’s Pub on 149th and St.
Nicholas Ave. Last Monday, Reggie Workman was sitting in. On Saturday
night after 1:00 AM at Cleopatra’s Needle on Broadway and 92nd St. Roy
Hargrove jammed for three hours. If these names don’t get your attention
it’s not the owners of the names at fault. They’ve done their homework.
I’m doing mine. Have fun doing yours. There are so many clubs opening up
in New York that feature jazz nightly that it may be worth quitting your
job to dedicate yourself more fully to your education. The one book on the
syllabus which I’ve gleaned from and leaned on since the early 80’s is a
free monthly guide to the New York jazz scene called Hot House (available
at most clubs or by $15 paid subscription: 973- 627-5349). The Internet
can get you started as well. I’ve recently discovered the friendly, fast
loading Webtunes site: 
