A Little Jazz After Midnight
A
Little Jazz After Midnight
Looking at Boston's Jazz Clubs
Part 1
By
Sherrie Szanfranski
Contributing Writer
The jazz scene in Boston can be divided up into four categories: cover charge and no cover charge, early shows, and a little after midnight shows. A majority of the jazz shows are on the weekend, and are a bit pricey. A good example is Scullers in Boston with its renowned musicians and posh environment charging an average of twenty dollars a show. With upcoming shows from famous artists such as Mark Murphy, Jack Jones, and Elvin Bishop, they attract huge crowds, so you might want to check into getting your tickets early on.
There's a lot of buzz around the live jazz performances at Ryle's Jazz Club in Boston. The covers are cheaper than at Scullers. The average ticket price is nine dollars per person. The jazz shows run from Thursday through Sunday, and feature an upstairs hall for dancing. They feature famous as well as local jazz artists.
What
about the venues for people just getting out of work and/or have minimal cash
flow? One of these hot spots is Wally's Cafe in Boston that features live
jazz well after midnight, and has no cover. Be careful or you might miss it.
The landmarks include a large bouncer standing near a door in a red brick
building, and a small sign that says Wally's Café. However, what's
enclosed in the bar/lounge, makes up for its low-key outward appearance. Ensembles
perform every night of the year ranging from afro-Cuban jazz, to bebop and
swing, and Wally's Stepchildren (jazz, funk and fusion combination). It often
becomes packed, so try to arrive somewhat early (before 1 a.m.). Don't worry
about the dress code; everyone seems to fit in here whether wearing suits
or t-shirts and jeans, although it leans more towards the casual side.
When the jazz music keeps playing even after 1 a.m., and few places play any
kind of live music that late, it's hard to stay away from Wally's. The music
supply is plentiful provided by college students from neighboring colleges
such as Berklee, Boston Conservatory of Music, Harvard, and the New England
Conservatory of Music. The student performers may be up-and-coming, but they're
clearly experienced as they solo and riff their way closer to an assured future
in jazz music. In between sets, the café/bar fills with the sounds
of R & B music.
Sit down with friends, a date, or come by yourself. Check out the walls replete
with history about the bar, a family-owned business dating back to 1947. Wally
was the first African-American in New England to open a nightclub. With the
surprising performances and regulars and students coming through here, it
doesn't seem likely to close its doors anytime soon.
Another local favorite jazz venue is Toad in Cambridge. A bit of a hole in the wall, but it's packed full of energy and people. Again, get there early, especially on Monday nights. Otherwise, you'll end up waiting in line for a few to leave so a few can enter. No cover charge and the dress is casual to a little dressy.
Hang your coat and hat up on the hook under the bar in front of your stool, and make yourself at home. No one can complain about not being able to see or hear the live music as any vantage point in the bar is not more than thirty feet from the band. The live music and the dancing continue until closing time.
If you can't get enough of the jazz you've heard at any of these venues, ask
the players if they're playing anywhere else. Many of them have performances
at other lounges/bars, or book performances at galleries that aren't advertised.
The jazz scene in Boston is not as well advertised as it is performed, but
sometimes those hidden treasures are the best shows.
