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Latin Jazz is Staple, but Others Are Invited
The alto saxophonist Logan Richardson was about halfway through his second set at FB Lounge in East Harlem on Wednesday night when he paused for an announcement from management. Up walked Roberto Ayala, part owner of the club, which is an outgrowth of the longstanding Fonda Boricua restaurant across the street. This is El Barrio, Mr. Ayala barked, beaming. This is not downtown. This is ZIP code 10029!
His declarative urges made sense. Since it opened two years ago, FB Lounge has been a fashionable stronghold of Latin jazz every Thursday through Saturday. Non-Latin jazz, to coin an awkward phrase, is a new development there, as of this month. The club has entrusted Mark Payne, a former manager at the Jazz Standard, with booking Sunday through Wednesday nights. And Mr. Payne, who lives a few blocks away, wisely began by programming a mix of veterans like the hard-bop drummer Louis Hayes, who will play every Tuesday in January and relative newcomers, like Mr. Richardson.
His declarative urges made sense. Since it opened two years ago, FB Lounge has been a fashionable stronghold of Latin jazz every Thursday through Saturday. Non-Latin jazz, to coin an awkward phrase, is a new development there, as of this month. The club has entrusted Mark Payne, a former manager at the Jazz Standard, with booking Sunday through Wednesday nights. And Mr. Payne, who lives a few blocks away, wisely began by programming a mix of veterans like the hard-bop drummer Louis Hayes, who will play every Tuesday in January and relative newcomers, like Mr. Richardson.
