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 |