Can anyone recommend a good jazz club in London?

Can anyone recommend a good jazz club in Manhattan New York?

• Answer:

  Dizzy's is definitely wonderful but I find it tends to be overpriced. The Blue Note, although being one of the older jazz clubs, is small can can be crowded as they tend to oversell the room for the more popular acts. They can also be a bit nasty while trying to rush the crowd from the first set of the night out so the crowd for the second set can get in. Iridium in Times Square is nice but can also be oversold for popular acts. It is however, the only place in town to see Les Paul (every Monday night). Personally, my favourite jazz spot in NYC is the Jazz Standard on 27th and 5th. The admission is more realistic and you usually get REAL jazz artists there, and no "Smooth Jazz" players (which isn't jazz at all). Also there is an excellent barbecue restaurant upstairs from it and they share the kitchen between them. If you're in Manhattan on the cheap, try Cleopatra's Needle on Broadway and 92nd. There's no cover and you can occasionally see some decent name acts there and excellent local acts. If you want authenticity, go into Harlem to the Lenox Lounge on Lenox Avenue off 125th Street or to Showman's on 125th between 7th and 8th Avenues. The cover charges are cheap, and usually so are the drinks. Many smaller Harlem spots don't take credit cards so be sure to bring enough cash.