Imagine this. The smoky haze. The murmur of anticipation. It all happened at the Jazz Standard. This legendary jazz club was located at 116 East 27th Street in Manhattan. It was a haven for music lovers.
Jazz Standard was more than just a club. It was a cultural institution. Danny Meyer owned the club. It resided in the basement of his Blue Smoke restaurant. The Jazz Standard offered world-class jazz and blues. It presented music six nights a week.
Step back to October 14, 1997. That was the night Jazz Standard opened its doors. The upstairs restaurant was initially named Standard. The club quickly became a favorite among jazz aficionados. It had a capacity of 150.
The Mingus Big Band held court every Monday. Also, the Mingus Orchestra and Mingus Dynasty performed. These were the club’s de facto house bands. In 2011, the Mingus Big Band won a Grammy. They won for their album “Live at Jazz Standard.”
Maria Schneider’s Orchestra played every Thanksgiving. They performed week-long gigs from 2005 to 2019. The Jazz Standard earned accolades over the years. New York magazine listed it as a “top 5 jazz joint.” The New York City Jazz Record named it “venue of the year” in 2017.
Sam Berkow designed the club’s acoustics and sound system. Noise control was critical. The goal was to isolate sound between the restaurant and club. The low concrete ceiling posed acoustic challenges. Sound-absorbing materials addressed these issues. Red velour panels gave the club a sexy appearance.
The Jazz Standard featured a Meyer sound system. It had UPA-series loudspeakers and a Bag End subwoofer. Meyer UPM loudspeakers provided delays. A Shure DSP unit managed signals. JBL EON loudspeakers served as monitors.
Many live albums were recorded at the Jazz Standard. Gary Bartz Quartet, André Previn, and Maria Schneider recorded albums there. Frank Morgan, René Marie, and Bill Mays also captured their performances. Russell Malone, Dave Douglas, and Dena DeRose all recorded live albums at the club.
Sadly, Jazz Standard closed on December 2, 2020. COVID-19 and stalled rent negotiations forced its closure. The pandemic claimed another victim in the jazz world.
Seth Abramson described the club’s unique vibe. He said it was a home for artists and fans. The club aimed to welcome new jazz fans. There was no pressure to order drinks.
The owners hope to resurrect the Jazz Standard someday. They plan to offer artist interviews and virtual performances online. The Jazz Standard may be gone but not forgotten. Its legacy lives on in recordings and memories. It remains a significant chapter in New York City’s jazz history.