The Queen of Hang: Sheila E. Anderson

New Years Eve at Cecil's

I am not one to go out on New Years Eve BUT on Awilda Rivera's urging I hung out with her in New Jersey. After going to a private party we went to Cecil's in West Orange, NJ. We got there at 1:00 AM and partied the rest of night away...As you can see from the photos below I made my singing debut with producer, DXT. I named our "group" the "NO NAME". Sorry, there will are no future dates planned for us to sing again.

Oh, notice my "new do"...I am not sure if I will keep it though.

[Cecil watching us dancing the night away]

[Awilda Rivera, me and Adreena Brooks]

[Me and DXT]

[The "No Name" group]

Comments

For those of you who have checked out any music, please comment.

Check out some music!

Don’t sleep on this one!

Last night I went to Iridium Jazz Club to hearDiana Perez. She was well received by her fans and she made new ones as well. “Jazzy Mary” was in the audience. She is not only one of Diana’s biggest fans; she is also a big jazz fan who enjoy's hearing live music.

The headliner is Pharoah Sanders

Folks, he sounds terrific! You know it is he when he blows his first note. He played an extended set that included “My Favorite Things” and “Naima.” With him are, Nate Reeves, bass, Joe Farnsworth, drums and William Henderson, piano, who has been playing with Pharoah for several years. Making the evening more special was Kenny Garrett who sat in for two tunes. Kenny has a new CD called Beyond the Wall that you might want to check out.

After seeing Pharaoh I went to Dizzy’s Coca Cola to hear Cyrus Chestnut , George “Jiri” Mraz and Lewis Nash . They too sounded great. In the audience were Stanley Crouch and Geoffrey C. Ward who co wrote, with Ken Burns, “JAZZ A History of America’s Music.”

They all play through Sunday, December 3.

P.S. I like the way the tables have been rearranged at Iridium. They have done away with the cafeteria style seating and now have them facing the stage in a night club style. Though I do not sit at a table often, if I did, I see that this set up lends itself to better listening.

P.S.S. If you go to Dizzy's and wish to try a new drink, get the "Queen Sheila." Chris created it for me and I love it!

Blue Note Jazz Club

Eric Reed and I went to see Chick Corea Elektric Band this past week. Chick has another week there performing with his Leprechaun Band from November 14-19. See Eric's comments about the show. I will give my thoughts about Blue Note soon.

Smoke Jazz Club & Lounge

2751 Broadway
(between 104th and 105th)
New York, NY 10025
212-864-6662
http://www.smokejazz.com/

The Kitchen is now opened!

History:

Smoke used to be Augies where Paul Stache and Frank Christopher were bartenders. Augies had a kitchen where they served light fare with a great burger. I used to leave [the old] Birdland and walk the few feet to Augies to see young, mostly unknown, talent.; Peter Bernstein, Eric Alexander and others. It was a cool place to hang with the sawdust on the floor where the musicians performed. Missing was a stage, though no one seemed to care, it had a real coffee shop feel.

When Augies closed Paul and Frank took the leap into ownership and changed the name to Smoke. They took out the kitchen, made it into a stage, swept the dust from the floor and turned it into the plush room with red velvet, candle lit tables, added a great sound system and turned Smoke into a very comfortable place to listen to music.

For those of us who long for the late night life, New York, in general, is becoming an early town for going out. With the smoking ban, some businesses suffered, Smoke was one place that lost some of their after work crowd because of it. Their solution to reclaim that crowd was to serve food. So, now, the non-drinkers do not have to worry about paying the minimum and not getting their money’s worth, what they buy in food will cover the cost.

Note, the kitchen closes at 1:00am but the sauté chef leaves at 11:00 so you can only order light fare after that.

The Food:

I rate their burger as one of the best but their entire menu is wonderful! The burger is a charcoal burger of high grade meat, the cheese is a extra sharp white cheddar served on a brioche bun with a side of mustard, catsup and mayo, garnished with lettuce, tomato and onion. And, the fries are PERFECT, dusted with fresh parsley, served in wax paper in a tin cup. One night Paul ordered a steak for himself (thank goodness I was sitting next to him at the bar, well, most times I sit at the bar in the same seat next to him) and he let me taste it. We both like meat on the rare side; the steak came but was not cooked to his liking so he sent it back. I must say, when the second one came he let me taste it, the meat melted in my mouth. The price is $34.00 but it is well worth every penny. The meat that they buy is the same meat served at Peter Luger Steakhouse (http://www.peterluger.com/), an aged Angus beef.

Another thing that I enjoy about eating there is that they suggest the wine that goes best with each meal. They even have a desert wine that they match to each selection.

Greeting:

This is one of my favorite places to hang (there have been times where I practically closed Smoke). Owners Paul and Frank are so in love with the music their enthusiasm is infectious. I am always greeted by a smiling face, especially from my main man, Tommy, who happens to have the same birthday as my dad…Tommy is the salt of the earth and so funny. Then there is Molly, part-time bartender and manager. She is lovely, inside and outside. I remember when Molly was a brunette. When she became a blond and I asked her if she was having more fun....the answer was a resounding, YES! And, she is still having fun...

The Music:

Each night is different tyes of music with headliner's on Friday and Saturday nights. Paul told me that they are going to offer a late night set on weekends with a different group than the headliner that will begin at 12:45AM. I can't wait for that to happen...

The last time I was there Eric Reed’s (ericreed.net) quartet was performing the music of John Coltrane in honor of his 80th birthday the following day, 9/23). I arrived at 10:45 pm towards the end of the set. The place was so packed that I opted to have a drink and a cheeseburger outside on their lovely sidewalk cafe. I could hear the music and all I can say is that they were swinging HARD. Eric Reeds quartet consists of Gerald Cannon, bass, Willie Jones, III (WJ tre) on drums and Stacy Dillard on saxophone. They are a real tight band and they enjoy playing with each other. It is great to see musicians enjoying themselves on the bandstand. When the performance ended several of us stayed for a long time and enjoyed some very interesting conversations about all of the taboo subjects that should not be discussed in public, race, religion and politics. It was fun!

I am still getting used to the early set times at the clubs. The set times now are 8:00 p.m., 10:00 and 11:30 p.m. I used to leave my Saturday night air shift a few minutes early, race from Newark, NJ, to hear a few songs of the last 12:30 set but now I am forced to go out on Friday nights to hear the headliner's at Smoke

They charge a cover on the weekends, check before you go. All major credit cards are accepted.

It is a block away from the 1/9 train on the 102nd Street stop.

Uptown

Tonight I joined Eric Reed for a session of the Jazz Museum in Harlem's Jazz for Curious Listener's. The program was about "Jazz and Performance." It was a great night with curious listener's. Eric performed with bassist, David Wong and he had me on the hot seat to talk about what makes a good performance and how I go about programming my radio show, Late Night Jazz. This is my first entry about jazz clubs beginning Uptown.

One topic of discussion was the expense of some of the jazz venues. Greg Thomas mentioned that there are inexpensive places Uptown where you can hear good music. So, I decided to post this short list. More citations to follow.

St. Nick's Pub
773 St. Nicholas Avenue, at 149th Street in Harlem USA
212-283-7132
http://stnicksjazzpub.com/

If you are looking to hang in "the hood" you have to check out St. Nick's Pub. Don't look for "headliners" to front bands though. Each night is a different group, the jam session on Monday night, The Singers workshop lead by TCIII on Sunday nights, Donald Smith, Friday nights and so on.

You never know who you will see hanging out there and sometimes willing to sit in. On any given night you might see Olu Dara
(www.nobodysmiling.com/hiphop/news/78478.php ) or Norman Connors (www.nutbutton.com/captain.html).

Some time ago, as I was about to leave, I heard that Stevie wonder was on his way up. I stuck around and moment’s later vocalist/Broadway actress, Lilias White came to the Pub with Stevie, his daughter Aisha and his entourage. He had seen Lillias that night at an event and he was looking for some food and a place to jam. Indeed, Stevie jammed, he played the keyboard and harmonica and Aisha sang a song. It was an incredible evening. By the way, Stevie Wonder loves to find jam sessions in each City where he goes. And, he plays a "mean" John Coltrane "Giant Steps." I have heard him play that and other jazz standards twice. Well, Stevie is an incredible musician who, I believe, deserves more credit for his talent.

St. Nick's Pub is a late night hang. They are open seven nights a week until 4:00 am. Some night’s food is offered for a minimal price. There is no menu to order from, you get what someone has cooked that day. No need to worry about getting sick either, to my knowledge no one has. Yes, I've eaten there. Drinks are inexpensive but the wine in a bottle is not the best so you may want to stick with what you know, beer and hard liquor; you decide. As I say, after the first drink taste does not always matter.

Cabs are accessible at all times though more often than not you will have to hail a gypsy cab, which is usually a town car with no meter. I've been taking them for years and have never been cheated. Also, it is close to the 145th A/D train subway.

So, I suggest that if you want a night out in that part of "the hood" you can eat at The River Room then head over to St. Nick's Pub (you can walk there). You won't be disappointed.

No cover charge. Cash only.

Lenox Lounge
Malcolm X Boulevard ·
124th & 125th ·
New York City
212-427-0253
http://www.lenoxlounge.com/

From their website:
The historic Lenox Lounge and its Zebra Room
have been significant in the Harlem community since the opening in the late 1930’s. It has served as the backdrop for many jazz legends. Join us
for an exciting evening of dining and jazz in one
of the few original art-deco club interiors left in
New York City.

I admire the owner, Al Reed Senior, for his vision and drive in refurbishing Lenox Lounge. He and I talked often during the process. It took blood, sweat and tears but it was worth it. Al took great pains to return the zebra room to its original form. Look closely and you will see that room in print ads and in movies. Two of the movies that come to mind are the remake of Shaft with Samuel L. Jackson and Spoke Lee’s, Malcolm X.

The music is always good there, be it Nathan Lucas on organ, Wednesday nights or the headliners on Friday and Saturday. Musicians and visitors enjoy the Sunday and Monday jam sessions too. On Friday and Saturday nights there are three sets at 9:00, 10:30 and 12AM. To Al’s credit, he made sure that he purchased a quality grand piano for the Zebra room because he understands the importance of providing proper instruments for musicians to play.

The Zebra room is on the other side of the French doors at the back of the Lounge. When the doors open you may hear the music blasting from the juke box in the front but it is bearable and brief. On Wednesday nights Nathan Lucas performs with his organ trio in the front where the bar is.

They have food but, to date, I’ve not eaten a meal there, only appetizers. So, I’ll be going soon to check out the food. As for the service in the Zebra Lounge I have to admit that it is sometimes slow. There is a one-drink minimum, per set, in addition to the $20.00 cover charge on Friday/Saturday nights and $10.00 cover charge on Sunday. In spite of the service, Lenox Lounge is a fun place to hang out.

Cover charge. Transportation is no problem. Cabs are plentiful and the subway is close, take the 2/3 line to 125th Street, it will get you there in a hurry.

Showman's Bar
375 West 125th Street at Morningside & Amsterdam
New York, NY 10017
212-864-9841

If you enjoy organ music you must go to Showman’s. It is narrow tiny place with the bar taking up half of the space. The live music can get real loud so you may have to shout should you want to carry on a conversation. No matter when I go, there is always a real party atmosphere happening there. It is a fun place and sometimes gets so crowded it is difficult to get the bathroom. We just accept that and move away to make room for those whom have to make the trek. Most of the clientele is older and real ‘down home” which gives it a neighborhood bar feel. People come from all walks of life and from all boroughs so you never have to worry about not having anyone to talk to should you go in by yourself.

Ramona, the manager, is usually by the door and will assist you in finding a seat and when settled offer to serve you a plate of food if it is offered that night. She is a calm and always upbeat as is Lil, the main bartender and the owner, Al Harewood. Showman's is a late-night hang so you can always leave the Lenox Lounge and walk there for a nightcap. No cover, two-drink minimum. And, Lil makes the BEST cosmos!

Credit cards are accepted. The nearest train is the A/D to 125th St. and you can take the 1/9 train to 125th and walk over.