What jazz concert in NYC should I give my mom tickets to?
May 18, 2009 9:38 AM   Subscribe

Want to get my parents tickets for great old school jazz concert in NYC this June. Any recommendations?

I want to give my mom a great jazz concert ticket as a birthday present. Her favorite genre is old school jazz - Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, George Gershwin.

Admittedly, my jazz knowledge is very limited... But I know there's a lot of great jazz clubs in NYC (where we both live). Any recommendations for a show I could get her and dad a ticket to? It has to be this June.

Thanks a lot!
posted by zavulon to Media & Arts (8 answers total)
 
Would they enjoy something akin to a live version of PBS's American Masters on Benny Goodman? Because Jazz at Lincoln Center is doing a Who is Benny Goodman? show and while it's aimed towards educating kids, everyone is welcome.
posted by spec80 at 9:45 AM on May 18, 2009


If they are in NYC on Saturday June 27th, The Edison Ballroom at the Edison Hotel is starting it's Saturday "Summer Swing Series", featuring Joe Battaglia and the New York Big Band. It's a 15 Piece Orchestra playing Bigh Band Swing of the 30's and 40's.
Dinner and Dancing.
Tickets at www.telecharge.com and www.edisonballroom.com

posted by blast at 10:03 AM on May 18, 2009


Response by poster: Thanks for the ideas.

I should clarify that I'm looking for something more traditional though - just a sit down concert, without dancing. My parents are kind of old, and don't have that much energy anymore..
posted by zavulon at 10:46 AM on May 18, 2009


For fans of old-school jazz, I'd typically recommend something at Jazz at Lincoln Center, but aside from the aforementioned Benny Goodman program, they don't have much going on in June.

For big band, there's the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra playing every Monday at the Village Vanguard. The Mingus Big Band will be at the Jazz Standard on some Mondays in June. At the Blue Note, Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band will be playing from the 4th to the 14th.

I don't know what he's playing now, but they might enjoy John Pizzarelli at Birdland.
posted by andrewraff at 11:49 AM on May 18, 2009


You can also look at the web site www.gothamjazz.com and click the arrow to June to see what is happening in NYC.
The above mentioned Edison Ballroom is a very cool place, and you can sit at tables and not dance if you don't want to .
Also agree that the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band is wonderful.
Vince Giordano's Nighthawks also are Big Band that play clubs around town.
Woody Allen also has a New Orleans Jazz and he plays at the Cafe Carlyle which is fun to see and a good upbeat time.
posted by blast at 2:08 PM on May 18, 2009


Village Vanguard
posted by dfriedman at 6:04 PM on May 18, 2009


Woody Allen stops on June 8th, for what it's worth.
posted by IndigoJones at 6:33 PM on May 18, 2009


Response by poster: Damn, Woody Allen would've been great but it's sold out :-(

Village Vanguard sounds good, what act should my folks check out?
posted by zavulon at 9:55 AM on May 19, 2009


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