Happy spirits might be awakened as the New Year opens in the landmark historic building where Brooklyn’s Brownstone Jazz (107 Macon Street) is located, as the venue will present their annual New Year’s Eve Swing. Dress in roaring 1920s jazz age or anything hip (9 p.m.-1 a.m.). The evening will be ablaze with the Brownstone Jazz All-Stars featuring bassist Eric Lemons, saxophonist and flautist David L. Jones, drummer Craig Holiday Haynes, pianist Terry Burrus (tentative), and vocalist Starlene Bey.
The two-floor house of festivities will include a full traditional NYE dinner champagne toast and party favors. Purchase early before Christmas, as prices increased thereafter, No cash door.
For info visit www.ticketweb.com.
Minton’s Playhouse is Harlem’s famous home of bebop, where the house band of Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, Kenny Clarke, Charlie Christian, Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie cultivated their own sound that captivated the world. The storied jazz club will ring in the New Year under the watchful eyes of legends past with two shows ($50 per person) at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., with a champagne toast at midnight. Food is separate and a la carte. Musicians TBA, and a DJ will be hittin’ the stacks after midnight.
Minton’s is located at 206-210 West 118th Street, NYC. For more information and reservations, visit mintonsnyc.com or call 646-529-3397.
Bill’s Place, Harlem’s only remaining speakeasy that still emits whispers of Billie Holiday’s performances on the tiny stage, will carry on with Bill Saxton & the Harlem All-Stars along with special guests and holiday southern hors d’oeuvres. Bill’s Place is located at 148 West 133rd Street, for more information visit billsplaceharlem.com or call (212) 281-0777.
Just minutes away from the city, you can celebrate at Alvin & Friends in New Rochelle. The famed southern cuisine restaurant will ring in the New Year with the Leslie Pintchik Trio featuring bassist Scott Hardy, and drummer Michael Sarin with pianist and composer Pintchik. The festivities will be in full swing from 5 p.m.-11 p.m., with a four-course menu and live music for $125 per person. Alvin & Friends is located at 14 Memorial Hwy, New Rochelle, NY.
For reservations call (914) 654-6549 or visit www.alvinandfriendsrestaurant.com.
For New Year’s at Dizzy’s Club (10 Columbus Circle), enjoy the panoramic view and swinging music of bassist and bandleader Carlos Henriquez leading his nonet. Treat yourself to a delicious holiday menu, and a spirited set featuring tracks from Carlos’s 2023 release, “A Nuyorican Tale.”
The festive occasion begins at 7:30 p.m. which includes cover, food, nonalcoholic beverages, & gratuity for $335. (The 11 p.m. set includes a champagne toast for $425).
For reservations visit jazz.org.
Manhattan’s Upper West Side jazz club, Smoke, will swing into the New Year with a very special group, the Countdown All-Stars, with vocalist Jazzmeia Horn, alto saxophonist Vincent Herring, pianist Cyrus Chestnut, bassist Yasushi Nakamura, and drummer Johnathan Blake. Here you have a core of musicians, who bring together vibrant colors of blues, soul, jazz, and all that makes for a night of merriment.
The first set at 7 p.m. includes four-course prix-fixe dinner and one set of music. $250 ticket (+ tax & tip) and the big countdown set at 9:30 p.m. includes four-course prix-fixe dinner and two sets of music for $350 ticket (+ tax & tip), also includes a prosecco champagne midnight toast, hats, and noise makers! For reservations visit tickets.smokejazz.com.
For those merry party seekers looking to party outside of The Big Apple, or for those within proximity of Baltimore, you can find a high-spirited celebration at the celebrated Keystone Korner (1350 Lancaster Street), where the soulful sounds of Pieces of a Dream will be in effect. The festivities will include two sets at 6 p.m. ($125-$135 plus fees) and 9:30 p.m. ($140-$150 plus fees). Ticket packages include a four-course meal consisting of an appetizer, entrée, dessert, and nonalcoholic drinks, as well as a champagne toast at midnight.
Pieces of a Dream has captivated audiences for over 40 years, with their trademark infectious grooves and catchy riffs. As they swing into this new year, their legacy continues with a repertoire of earlier hit songs, as well as new material for yet another generation of fans. The original group was formed in Philadelphia in 1976 by bassist Cedric Napoleon, drummer Curtis Harmon, and keyboardist James Lloyd who were all teenagers at the time.
The group that was labeled “tough act to follow” by the iconic Count Basie, continues to be led by original member and co-founder drummer Curtis Harmon along with a mixed group of vocalists and instrumentalists such as: James Lloyd (keyboards), Tony Watson (saxophone), Elec Simon (percussion), Stacey Richardson (vocals) Carolyn Brewer (keyboards & vocals), John Hall (bass). Keystone Korner is located at 1350 Lancaster Street, Baltimore, MD. Call 410-946-6726 or visit keystonekornerbaltimore.com.
May this new year bring health and prosperity, and perseverance to carry on through any type of turbulent societal weather ahead. Family is life, joy, and peace! Thank you so much for reading my column and one of the oldest Black newspapers in America. Let’s all make 2025 swing!