Jazz Clubs in Brooklyn and Queens

List maintained by Gordon Polatnick: Gordon Polatnick moved back to New York City in 1995 and was immediately bitten by the jazz bug. Soon after, he developed West Miles Disease and has been scratching that itch all over town in search of improvisational healing. Gordon invites the curious jazz novice and the aficionado to share in his thrill seeking adventures from the Village to Harlem, every night of the week.

See Jazz clubs in Manhattan

Brooklyn

Brooklyn Academy of Music aka BAM 30 Lafayette Ave. (At Ashland Place) (718) 636-4100
BAM Cafe: The weekly performance series BAM cafe Live has featured great artists from jazz, spoken word, blues, afro-pop, Latin, r&b, rock, and experimental backgrounds such as Billy Martin, Survival Soundz, Tracie Morris, Carl Hancock Rux, Duncan Sheik, Chocolate Genius, Bilal, Antibalas, Tanguardia, and much more. Sounds of Praise Sunday Gospel Brunch occurs on select Sundays throughout the year. Enjoy a delicious soul food buffet brunch with live contemporary and traditional gospel music, focusing on Brooklyn artists. 2-4pm; $20 inclusive (free for children 5 and under; reduced price for children 6-12).
Caviar 46 Washington Ave. (btwn. Flushing & Park Aves, right around the corner from the Brooklyn Navy Yards) (718) 222-9456: BBB (Brooklyn Big Band) is up and running. Their gig at Caviar has become a regular Tuesday night hang. The space is a little out of the way, but once you're there it's reportedly an amazing atmosphere. Two sets - 8:30 and 10:30. Cover charge is only $5. The closest subway stop is Clinton/Washington on the G train. Once you're out of the subway, walk back towards Manhattan until you cross under the BQE. The club is on the left on the next block.
Five Spot Supper Club 459 Myrtle Ave. (at Washington Avenue), Clinton Hill, Brooklyn (718) 852-0202: --Not related to the original 5 Spot of Monk, Coltrane and Coleman fame-- But a great local success story: A soul food take out joint that was transformed into a jazzy neighborhood supper club with jazz brunch on Sundays. Live evening performances are Tuesday thru Saturday and start 'round about 9 or 10 -- there is a $5.00 cover charge.
Night of the Cookers 767 Fulton Street (btwn. South Oxford & South Portland) (718) 797-1197: Named for the Freddie Hubbard record. They feature weekend jazz, with the restaurant serving all week. No cover. Live Jazz Thursdays 8:30 p.m. to 11:30, Fridays and Saturdays 10:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., Sunday jazz brunch from noon to 3:30 p.m. Subway: C to Lafayette
Pumpkins 1448 Nostrand Ave. (btwn. Church and Martins, 2 train to Church St.) (718) 284-9086: This is the only 7 nights a week jazz club in Brooklyn. No cover charge yet with a two drink minimum. From 8:00 on Sundays and 9:00 - 1:00 the rest of the week. Gerald Hayes, Miles Griffith, and Derrick Gardner are some of the performers who grace their stage.
Sistas' Place 456 Nostrand Ave. (Enter on Jefferson Ave.) (718) 398-1766: Call for nightly schedule.
Sugar Hill Restaurant and Supper Club 609-615 DeKalb Avenue (718) 797-1727: Live jazz and rhythm and blues: Mon.& Thurs., 7 p.m.-11 p.m. $10.00 minimum. One hundred-seat oak-and-brass dining room. Southern-style seafood as well as the classics. $12 average entree.
Up Over Jazz Cafe 351 Flatbush Ave, Park Slope, Brooklyn (718) 398-5413: They are near the corner of 7th Ave across the street from the Plaza Twin Cinema, up over the Wing Wagon. Directions: IND - D or Q Train: 7th Ave Stop. IRT - 2 or 3 Train: Grand Army Plaza - Exit North. Cover per set: $10; Black Box $15 (but prices may vary). Thursday - Sunday sets: 9, 10:30 & Midnight. Doors open 8:30 pm. Every Sunday: Heather Bennett Trio: Showtimes: 8:00 & 10:00. $10:00 cover. Monday night Jam Session with Vincent Herring Quartet feat: Gary Fisher, Richie Goods & Sylvia Cuenca: from 9:30 till....Wednesday night Latin Jazz Band Mestura, shows at 9:00 & 10:30, $ 5.00 cover. Top shelf jazz by the city's finest players -- many are Brooklyn's jazz royalty, often pushing the envelope rather than going through the motions. John Hicks, Leonard Gaskin, Cecil Payne, Oliver Lake, and Bluiett are some of the legendary players who crowd the club on any given weekend. Recommended to call for reservations. Click here for menu. You may bring your own cheer.
Queens

Cooking with Jazz 12-01 154th St. (at 12th Ave.), Flushing, Queens (718) 767-6979: Cajun/Creole Restaurant dedicated to the soul food of New Orleans, this Queens restaurant offers Cajun menu items like chicken and andouille gumbo, red beans and rice, shrimp remoulade and chicken jambalaya. There's also live traditional jazz Thursday nights, reservations suggested.
Sacs Pizza & Restaurant 25-41 Broadway (corner of 29th), Astoria, Queens (718) 204-5002: Look for the regular Monday night gig of guitarist Larry Luger's trio. Starting at 7:00 at no cost. The sets end at 10:30. Monday is the only night of the week to check out music at Sacs, but a steady fan base could encourage more.

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