FRIDAY FIVE
The depiction of jazz in La La Land may have been littered with clichés that have been called out by critics, but we may have the film to credit for the genre’s rise in popularity among younger people over the past couple of years.
The film’s depiction of jazz does not get into its history, which evolved from blues and ragtime and originated in the African American communities of New Orleans in the late 19th century. But some of the pivotal moments of that history took place in our very own city of San Francisco, home to many popular jazz clubs that drew many famous musicians, such as Miles Davis in the 1950s and 1960s. Thelonious Monk even recorded his third solo album in 1959 at Club Fugazi in North Beach.
The SFJAZZ Center houses a lot of this historical information and is a classic venue for seeing some of the genre’s greatest, but if you want to check out some live music today, here are our five favorite venues where you can get your jazz fix in a more intimate setting.
1. Sheba Piano Lounge
If eating injera and listening to jazz music at the same time sounds like your perfect night out, then this Fillmore District spot is for you. Live music takes place seven nights a week; shows begin at 8:00 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday evenings and at 9:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings. The best parts about this venue? There is never a cover charge, and many times the musicians are from the Bay Area. The genre each day does vary, though, so it’s best to check the calendar ahead of time to make sure you’re there on a jazz night. The venue has been celebrating its love for jazz since 2006.
1419 Fillmore Street (Fillmore District) | www.shebapianolounge.com
2. Club Deluxe
On Haight Street lies a small jazz bar that has been captivating hearts since 1989. Known for its delicious pizza and amazing live jazz music, this inconspicuous yet cozy watering hole exudes a vintage 1930s New York City vibe. Even if you’ve never listened to jazz before in your life, a night at Club Deluxe will make you want to return for more; the red lights make for memorable ambiance, and the delicious bites will mouth-melt. This lounge can get crowded, so get there on the happy-hour side to make sure you get a good seat. Oh, and it’s cash only.
1511 Haight Street (Haight) | www.clubdeluxe.co/
3. BIX
This two-story lounge, located near Jackson Square, is known for its love for jazz and trendy ambiance. There’s no bad seat in house. Since its early days in 1988, some of the Bay Area’s best jazz musicians have performed at this venue. Reservations are a must here since people are mostly encouraged to dine and listen to the live performance, although sometimes you can find a seat at the bar. There’s no cover charge.
56 Gold Street (Financial District) | www.bixrestaurant.com/
4. Boom Boom Room
Located in Lower Pac Heights, this small dive club hosts live music six nights a week for only a small cover fee, depending on the night and the band. The music ranges from live blues to funk to soul to anything emblematic of funky New Orleans tunes, and when the jazz musicians play, it’s guaranteed to be a good time. The intimacy of the venue is enough to make a night at the Boom Boom Room memorable, especially if you’re looking for a sultry vibe and a place where people regularly get on the dance floor to feel the melody. The San Francisco establishment was founded in 1997 by blues legend John Lee Hooker. Tickets for some shows can be purchased in advance.
1601 Fillmore Street (Fillmore District) | www.boomboomroom.com/
5. The Starlight Room
The Starlight Room is a bit of an anomaly in San Francisco, as it’s a rooftop bar. Located above the Sir Francis Drake Hotel, this more upscale establishment is known to have classy jazz on various early evenings for a more entertaining kind of happy hour. The jazz musicians are not necessarily publicized or listed on their events page, so it might be a good idea to call ahead to figure out what’s scheduled for the evening. The fun part about the Starlight Room is that it embodies a bit of Hollywood glamour. The red-velvet booths and picturesque city views make for a special evening in this foggy city.
50 Powell Street (Union Square) | https://starlightroomsf.com
