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   Review

Smalls, 183 W. 10th St., is a serious little subterranean jazz purist's paradise which is priceless on Saturday during their Early Bird set which flies between 7:30 - 9:30 P.M.  Otherwise, you are obliged to pay $10 cash, which will buy you the most music with the fewest disturbances.  The talent -- which seems to be bred incestuously from the ranks of the masterful ensembles that play weekly gigs there -- continue in open jam sessions till sunrise.  There is no alcohol served, and no one will hassle you to buy drinks; so bring your own, or enjoy the free juices offered at the self-service bar.   
  
The club is cozy in the underground, beatnik jazz scene sense of the word:  Smoke, brick, bric-a-brac, and hipsters cram into every nook and remain respectful of the music being created. A loungey atmosphere evolves in between sets, as folks search around for extra beer left behind by the self-ejected.  Unlike the more pricey Village jazz clubs, no one will ask you to leave to make room for those lined up outside.  

Since the doorman --  often the iconoclastic owner, Mitch Borden -- is reluctant to scar your hand with an entry-identifying stamp, you can feel relaxed about coming and going as you please, knowing that you will be remembered simply by saying, "Remember me, please." as you exit.   ~Gordon Polatnick 7/31/00 

 
Hear or Buy The Music played at Smalls
Jazz Underground-Live At Smalls

Artists seen at Smalls:
Myron Walden
Joel Frahm
Ned Goold
Joe Magnarelli
David Schumacher
Grant Stewart
Claudia Acuna
Mark Elf
Avishai Cohen
Jason Lindner
Brad Mehldau

Gordon Polatnick's BigAppleJazz.Com

BigAppleJazz Home

Lower Manhattan Clubs

Midtown Clubs

Upper East and Upper West

Harlem Clubs

Club Reviews

Best Links

Shopping

Artists

Private NYC Jazz Tour Guide

Gallery

Obituaries

Guest Book

Email

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