East Coast Jazz Party: 2013-2015

The following is an excerpt from "Introduction" of New York City Jazz Chronicles: June 2013—December 2015 by Kenneth A. Cobb (KAC Books, 2018).

I've recently come to realize that my Jazz (ad)ventures, or 'trilogy' if you will, wouldn't be complete without including what I've been doing since returning east in June 2013. Well, I'll have you know that I didn't let up on the proverbial gas pedal and was fortunate enough to catch nearly 500 Jazz performances in New York City (NYC) between June 1, 2013, and December 31, 2015!

This large number resulted from driving from Baltimore to NYC practically every Saturday, a 200-mile, 3-hour trip, seeing my four pre-selected performances back to back at several Jazz venues, then driving back to Baltimore afterwards—Mission Accomplished!!! (4 shows per week x 52 weeks per year x 2½ years)

Below is a breakdown of the different NYC Jazz venues comprising the 496 performances:

Smalls: 105
Smoke: 102
Village Vanguard: 65
Dizzy's @ JALC: 47
Jazz Standard: 45
Blue Note: 28
Birdland: 27
Kitano: 24
Mezzrow: 14
Iridium: 8
Jazz Gallery: 7
Zinc Bar: 6
Fat Cat: 4
54 Below: 3
The Garage: 3
Miller Theater: 2v Tribeca PAC: 2
Café Noctambulo: 1
Joe's Pub: 1
Marcus Garvey Park: 1
Grant's Tomb: 1

Total: 496

The jazz artists and/or groups that I saw/heard, too numerous to list, were outstanding!

Where possible, I always purchased my tickets in advance in order to avoid missing out on a performance after driving 200 miles... And thanks to most of the jazz venue managers and staff, great upfront seats/tables were awaiting me upon my arrival.

Typical Jazz itineraries included: (a) 7:00—Smoke, 8:30—Birdland or Village Vanguard, 10:00—Kitano or 10:30—Village Vanguard or Blue Note, and 12:00—Smalls; OR (b) 7:30—Jazz Standard or Dizzy's @ JALC, 9:00—Smoke, 10:30—Blue Note or Village Vanguard, 12:00—Smalls.

With sets usually lasting approximately 70 minutes and me out the door immediately afterward, transportation between venues via walking, taxis, and subway worked out perfectly. Rarely did I show up late at the next gig. However, due to a set either starting late or running long, I did have to occasionally adjust my itinerary in real time. Overall, every Jazz night turned out great!

One of the conveniences of residing on the east coast is the relatively close proximity to several major cities, all within a three-hour car drive via Interstate 95 (I-95): NYC, Philadelphia, Atlantic City, Washington, or Baltimore. That is, if you don't mind driving... And I don't mind the roughly 200-mile journey.

A typical Saturday NYC Jazz run would comprise departing the Baltimore area at ~2:00 P.M., all gassed up, a Subway turkey foot-long sandwich in town, and toll money at the ready. By leaving at that time, I avoid the earlier Saturday morning I-95 north 'east coast thoroughfare' rush, as well as the later NYC /Philly / Atlantic City Saturday night party folks. This was especially true at the Holland Tunnel ('bridge & tunnel crowd').

Assuming no major traffic accident or weather conditions, I'd usually exit the Holland Tunnel by 5:30 P.M. in lower Manhattan! Yes, New York City... So nice, they named it twice!

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that as of last December, total round trip toll fees (Harbor Tunnel, MD/DE I-95 tolls, N.J. Turnpike, Holland Tunnel, Delaware Bridge) amounted to $69.00, no chump change! However, the convenience and time savings, especially the N.J. Turnpike (expanded to six lanes 60 miles out), cannot be underestimated.

Since the last of my four Jazz performances were usually in Greenwich Village, I always parked on the same block, Barrow Street, between Washington St. and West Side Highway, or a few blocks away.

This way, when departing Smalls at 1:30 A.M. after the 12:00 midnight set, my car was a short 15-minute walk away. I'd start my car, hit the Holland Tunnel, gas up at the Exxon station after I exited the tunnel, and would be on my way on I-95 south back home. Cruising at 75-80 mph all the way, with very light traffic, if any, and listening to my burned Jazz CDs makes for a very pleasurable ride. (I came to realize that no one else is crazy enough but me to be driving down the turnpike that late/early!)

Assuming a short one-hour nap along the way at one of the very safe N.J. turnpike service rest stops, I'd arrive home at 5:30 A.M. Then, lights out... zzzzzzz!

I've felt very blessed to have safely completed these Jazz trips on the road and now, on a monthly basis, send out my four recommended NYC Jazz by Saturday to my many Jazz buddies. So, there you have—my Jazz trilogy is now complete! And the adventure continues...

Continue...

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Posted to Jazz Chronicles IN THE Jazz Discovery GROUP
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