15Nov
TGIF Folks! It's the end of another busy week and you know what that means: Its time for Fridays with Fuquéri. In this week's edition we have a place near and dear to my heart: Arthur's Tavern in the West Village of NYC.
First things first: Arthur's Tavern is a cash-only establishment with a one-drink minimum per set per person. There is an ATM in the basement near the restrooms but I suggest bringing some cash with you as seating fills up quickly depending on the act. There is no cover charge and most cocktails are under $20 so you can enjoy live music from truly talented professionals and living legends for $40 per set. The venue is on the smaller side so I highly recommend, for parties of four or more, you call ahead and reserve a table.
In today's age of technology where so much music is readily available on streaming platforms, some performers at Arthur's you can only hear live. The Creole Cooking Jazz Band & the Grove Street Stompers are two prime examples of this. If you are a fan of live jazz in any form you owe it to yourself to come see both groups play as this is the only way (short of buying one of their CDs. Yes, really.) to experience their music.
The Creole Cooking Jazz Band has been playing Dixieland and swing jazz at Arthur's Tavern every Sunday night since 1986. All band members are freelance musicians with a rotating cast of characters. On this particular evening we had the pleasure of seeing Art Bailey on piano, Fred Pearson on clarinet, Ed Bonoff on drums and Richard 'Dick' Dreiwitz on trombone.
From first glance it almost looks like open mic night at the retirement home but don't be fooled: all these musicians have years of experience under their belts and it shows in spades whenever they take the stage. They play with the passion of the youth & with the wisdom and skill of the elders.
As you can imagine with a show of such tenure there are regulars who reserve seats to every performance so it's encouraged to show up prior to showtime if you'd looking for a seat closest to the stage.
The Grove Street Stompers, who celebrated their 60th anniversary in 2022, have been performing at Arthur's Tavern every Monday night since 1962. Prior to the Pandemic the only Monday they skipped performing was November 25th, 1963, when Arthur's Tavern was closed out of respect for the funeral of President John F. Kennedy.
We were treated to a beautiful selection of both Dixieland and swing jazz that got Manila and myself up and dancing before the second song had ended. This did not go unnoticed by the band and we had the pleasure of meeting Barry Bryson and Richard 'Dick' Dreiwitz (trumpet and trombone respectively.) and even spoke with their drummer, Gianpoalo Biaggi.
All members of the band were not only excited by our engagement but encouraged it. To quote Barry 'When we see you guys moving, it makes us want to move. It makes us want to play harder.' They are gentlemen of the highest caliber and talents that need to be seen to be believed. Every single member of the Stompers brings a different flavor to the show and their ability to blend together and create magic personifies their skill.
Their skill and passion for their instruments, craft and the satisfaction of the audience shows the mark of true professionals who love what they do. Even in between pieces they were laughing and smiling and enjoying each other's company, all of this camaraderie easily lending itself to make great music even greater.
The Creole Cooking Jazz Band & The Grove Street Stompers are some of the last giants of live jazz music that New York City has to offer. They are living legends and masters at their craft are able to elicit feelings of pure emotion from their audience, the earmark of any great performer.
They have made life-long fans out of both Manila & I, and we both cannot wait to drop by again on a Sunday/Monday and say hi to Barry, Dick and the rest of the gang.
Arthur's Tavern
57 Grove Street, New York, NY 10014
(212) 414-4314
Creole Cooking Jazz Band
Give 'em a listen!
Every Sunday, 7:00pm to 9:30pm.
The Grove Street Stompers
Give 'em a listen!
Every Monday, 7:00pm to 10:00pm.
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