We need to send our jazz guru LeRoy Downs out to NYC to check this out:
- Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC) proudly opens the doors of its new jazz club, Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola . The club, located in JALC's new home at Frederick P. Rose Hall (FPRH), offers spectacular views and serves a jazz inspired menu seven days a week.
Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, one of the three main performance spaces inside FPRH, is an intimate, 140-seat jazz club that provides a space for ensemble performances, education, and other events. The clubs views of the Manhattan skyline and Central Park are breathtaking. Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola will be a place where JALC produces world-class jazz performances, throws parties for visiting musicians and welcomes people to hang out, have a drink and listen to great music. Musicians performing in the club will be given the time and artistic space to address their musical aims through extended bookings and artistic exploration.
As part of JALC's Grand Opening Festival, from October 21 through November 7, Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola opens with a celebration of the music of jazz legend and bebop architect Dizzy Gillespie. For three weeks, the music written by, performed by, or made popular by Mr. Gillespie will be spotlighted. The Dizzy Gillespie Festival begins on October 21, which would've been Dizzy's 87th birthday. Following the three-week festival, the regular season at the club kicks into full gear with a variety of great musicians.
"Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola is designed to entertain people in the spirit that Dizzy had ... very welcoming," Mr. Marsalis explains. "We just want people to have a good time. We want the musicians to feel comfortable to play. We want people to come in and have a memorable experience. This whole facility is designed for international participation. This is a hall of integration ... to bring everything together."
"We're bringing the hottest jazz bands in the business to our new club," says JALC Executive Director Derek Gordon. "You can expect a spicy variety of musicians to grace the stage. As Jazz at Lincoln Center continues to perpetuate the art form, Monday nights are dedicated to young, upcoming musicians who will showcase their talent. On the other nights, you never know who will show up for a surprise appearance at one of our late-night hang sets. We welcome all to come, enjoy the great music, the great view and the great food."
Article comments
1 - ClubhouseCancer
I got a tour of this facility (lucky me!) a few weeks ago, and believe me, this is gonna be a fantastic addition to the New York jazz scene, an is sure to draw European and japanese tourists to town, since tourists and jazz critics seem to be the only people that go to the great jazz clubs we do have.
2 - ClubhouseCancer
But it's also going ot be great for fans like me; I don't want to sound too snarky. Another place to hear mainstream jazz with great sightlines and sound and a smart and archival (if somewhat consevrative) programming stance are all good things.
3 - Eric Olsen
Thanks CC, don't you get around? Glad to hear it's as nice as it looks via the Internet. Please give us a report when you catch a show!
4 - godoggo
One quick bit of pedantry: I'd say that emphasizing weak beats has been the essence of jazz rhythm since the beginning. If I were in a ranting mood, and it's probably best that I'm not, I'd start going on and on and on about how bop was different from swing. I think Dizzy was maybe the best improviser, played the best lines, of all trumpeters.
5 - Eric Olsen
godog, I am certain I did some simplification and generalizing but I certainly hope I conveyed that bop is fundamentally different from swing
And no argument from me on the greatness of Dizzy
6 - Black Technocrat
Does anyone know where I can get a DVD of Dizzy Gillespie's 1947 Carnegie Hall performance? If you can, please email me.