Your most memorable or favorite Jazz Bar
 

For the wife and I - the most memorable.

We stayed at the Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok quite some years back -- 5 star, reaching for 6 IMO as like the Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong (and Bangkok & 1 or 2 other Asian countries/cities). These hotels are beyond words; comfort & attention to detail to you, the guest front & center & utmost. The staff projects a deep professionalism & attitude above reproach for every visiting resident.

We saw a billboard earlier in the main foyer announcing a live jazz performance that evening. So, after dinner we went to the Bamboo Bar located inside the hotel.

IIRC, we actually went for a walk afterwards and back on the hotel grounds we ended up at a side door to the Bamboo Bar. Unlocked, I opened it and lo & behold, the very small stage to the right, and patrons seated to the left, sipping their drinks or intensely listening & enjoying the live performance. All looking at two Americans interrupting their trance.

Smokey as could be, the African American singer, her pianist, bassist, guitarist & drummer behind her didn't miss a beat as we made a momentary distracting, yet very quiet & impromptu entrance. Quickly finding 2 seats at the 6 or 7 small round tables, 10 feet in front of her, we settled in for a listen.

She sung mostly Ella Fitzgerald songs from Ella's vast library & needless to say; she was damn good -- authentic and realistic comes to mind. I sat there and had my eyes closed more times than opened. (My wife thought I was asleep at one time; but wasn't).

Enjoying a couple sets & breaks in-between -- I spoke to her and honestly forgot her name but want to say she said she was from Detroit and had been in Bangkok for 8 years. Anyways, when I found this coaster in my bar, that is what rejuvenated my memories of that evening & wondered if other AA'ers had a memorable or favorite jazz bar & where it was located.

I don't recall the bar looking as it does -- never made it to the actual bar. Just a jazz bar as you'd envision from the 50's; intimate, small, good music laden with light haze of smoke. Awesome.

Best Sirs,

Bob

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Your most memorable or favorite Jazz Bar
 

Okay Bob, I will play.

I have two fond memories of Jazz Bars. The first is also in Bangkok at the Sheraton on Sukumvit. The lounge is on the second floor and they always have live Jazz. Nice place to relax and cool off after a long day in the Thailand heat, crowds and general craziness.

The second is in Shanghai at the Waldorf on the Bund. The Long Bar transports you back in time with its well, loooong bar, wood covered walls and incredible service. The fresh oysters, extensive choices of cocktails and beverages all compliment nightly live Jazz, usually a trio of singer, standup bass and drummer.

Until recently, you could go there and also smoke a cigar while sipping a cocktail, listening to great music and sharing stories with friends.

It was one of my favorite 'get out of China' retreats as it washed away the noise, hustle and bustle of crazy Shanghai.

CraigAttachment 51392

THE TRALFAMADORE CAFE, BUFFALO
622 Main St

Buffalo-Niagara Falls, NY 14202

716-851-8725




THE TRALFAMADORE CAFE BUFFALO, VENUE DESCRIPTION
Tralfamadore Cafe, The - The Tralf is the best place in town to hear live music, especially blues and jazz. The bar features a memorable selection of draft beers and top-shelf liquor, which makes it a great place to be before, during and after any show.

Good thread!
Keep 'em coming. :thumbsup:

Dimitriou's Jazz Alley in Seattle is a great venue for dinner and jazz, with excellent food and service, great acoustics, and great views of the stage. They bring both top acts and local talent, and it's a wonderful place to spend the evening.

I had a good time a couple of years ago at Ronnie Scott's in London.
Also at the Jazz Standard in New York.

ahhh the 'Tralf' , if memory serves my right Larry wasn't the original @ Main & Filmore ?

https://images.trvl-media.com/hotels...52090_30_z.jpg

@ Queen St. W. & St.Patrick St.

:naughty:

Can't believe I forgot about this one!

Ned Kelly's Last Stand
Ashley Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui
Hong Kong

A classic in every way for Burgers, Beer and live Jazz! If you get to Hong Kong, GO to Ned's!

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Jazz? Craig, all I remember from Ned's is that there were a bunch of drunken Aussies singing Waltzing Matilda! Of course, the was 30 years ago, LOL. While not jazz, back then we had a lot of fun at the Wanch.

A few favorites:
Rusty's in south Toledo, back in the 80s. Long gone now. Very music-focused but also had a great scene and vibe.

Churchill Grounds here in Atlanta - unfortunately closed down about a year ago, but a great scene and I believe Sam, who ran it still arranges jazz shows at other bars/venues around town.

A perennial favorite is Bemelman's bar at the Carlyle in NYC. I get boss-girl up there about once a year when I have business, and we try to get there when they have a trio playing standards. Just great ambience and a lot of fun.

For something completely different--nothing stronger than coffee to drink and the setting is more like a classroom with folding chairs and florescent lighting, but the Mamie A. Clayton Library and Museum in L.A. is an undiscovered gem. Four times a year, on Sunday afternoons, you can hear extraordinary jazz--sometimes played by people whose names are well known, sometimes by up and comers. The ambience is institutional, but the music is superb and the atmosphere is warm, friendly and intimate. The best live jazz I've heard and I try not to miss it.

Blues Alley in Washington, DC Georgetown area. It was probably 12 years ago so I don’t recall a lot. Only I liked the venue, the cocktails, and the music that night!

I have good memories from The Plaza III steakhouse jazz lounge at The Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri.

Just checked their website and they closed the business earlier this month after five decades of operation :sigh:.

No longer open but we enjoyed the Caravan of Dreams in Ft. Worth. Small yet enjoyable. First show we saw there was David Sanborn, last show was our son's first concert to attend - Little Feat.

Bummer about Plaza III - we went there when we lived in KC. Nice spot.

My vote goes to the Dakota in Minneapolis. Great venue and good food, the Dakota is just a very comfortable place to enjoy live music.

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We've seen Hugh Masakela, Shawn Colvin, Dan Hicks, The Bad Plus, Pinetop Perkins, Firefall, Nachito Herrera (a local favorite).

Prince has played here, Dave Brubeck, McCoy Tyner, Stanley Clarke, Bela Fleck, Cowboy Junkies, Bob Mould, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, John McLaughlin....the list goes on. I think their success is due in part to the eclectic mix of genres and the overall high quality of the performers they bring in.

Tom

Do places like Small's, Blue Note, Sweet Rhythms and Dizzy's (all in NYC) count? All are good venues with food & drinks, but one goes there for the music. Especially Small's (lousy food).

Oops.......... almost forgot the Village Vanguard. And, Sweet Rhythms is no more.

Maduro Jazz And Lounge Bar, Grand Hyatt, Tokyo.

Very unique place and atmosphere, one of my favourites