It’s time to bring in another new year, celebrate like you’ve never partied before. Some of the jazz clubs available for you to bring in an explosive new year are listed below.
First on the list is Berta’s PRE-New Year’s Eve Jam Session on Dec. 30, in Harlem at Patrick’s Place (2835 Frederick Douglass Blvd. on 151st Street). Featured group is Patience Higgins & the Harlem All-Stars from 7 p.m.–11p.m. There will be a special memorial tribute to the former proprietor of St. Nick’s Pub, Earl Spain. There is no cover. Happy hour is 6 p.m.–9 p.m.
New Year’s Eve kicks off in Harlem at Bill’s Place (owned by internationally renowned saxophonist and composer Bill Saxton) at 148 West 133rd Street. There is an early set at 8 p.m.–9:15p.m. At a charge of $30 per person. The New Year’s Eve party begins at 10:30p.m.–until featuring Bill Saxton’s All-Stars of Harlem. The party includes an open wine bar and champagne toast at midnight, $60 per person. For reservations
call 212-281-0777.
Sista’s Place (456 Nostrand Avenue, corner of Jefferson Avenue), the Brooklyn oasis where jazz and the gospel revolution join forces, swings in the New Year with Kenny “Swinging” Gates and the “Real Deal” Quartet featuring Joe Ford on Sax, Belvin Bullock on Bass, Rudy Walker on Drums, and Gates on Piano. This annual tradition begins at 10:30p.m. While checking the music and maybe some swinging of your own, enjoy a soul dinner and champagne toast. The cover for the evening is $60 per person. For reservations call 718-398-1766.
Moving further west Manhattan’s Smoke Jazz & Supper Club (2751 Broadway/105th Street) will feature the Countdown Sextet with vocalist Nicolas Bearde, tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, alto sax Vincent Herring, pianist Eric Reed, bassist John Webber, and drummer Joe Farnsworth. They will be performing for two seatings at 6:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.
The 6:30 p.m. seating includes a 4-Course New Year’s Eve Dinner, wine & beer open bar and live performance. This seating exits at approximately 9 p.m. Bar seating is $125.00 per person and Table seating is $175.00 per person.
The 9:45p.m. seating includes; a 4-Course New Year’s Eve Dinner, wine & beer open bar and live performance plus a Champagne toast. Bar seating is $225.00 per person and table seating is $275.00 per person. For reservations visit the website smokejazz.com.
Over on Manhattan’s eastside Jazz Standard (116 East 27th Street) is featuring Regina Carter, the violinist and composer whose strings touch your heart regardless of the tempo or genre from Detroit soul to classical Italian, “Paganini: After A Dream”, and her tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, “Ella: Accentuate The Positive.” She will be joined by noted musicians; pianist Nat Adderly, Jr., bassist Chris Lightcap, drummer Alvester Garnett and vocalist Carla Cook.
The accomplished quintet will perform two sets at 7:30 p.m. that will include a three-course dinner and music charge ($150 per person). The second set at 10:30 p.m. includes a three–course dinner, champagne toast, and music charge ($225 per person). For reservations call 212-576-2232 or visit the website www.jazzstandard.com.
Thanks so much for taking time out to read this column on a most inspired revolutionary genre we call jazz. All the best to you and family in 2020, health happiness and prosperity. As this music serves as a backdrop to life you may just want to follow the lyrics of Sly & the Family Stone for inspiration in this New Year…I Want to Take You Higher Everybody is A Star in Life you must Stand! Fun is essential and You Can Make It If You Try. HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR !!