Blue Note Jazz Club

Blue Note Jazz Club is a renowned jazz club chain with locations in New York City, Tokyo, Milan, and Beijing, among others, founded by Danny Bensusan and Mike Parsons. The club is known for featuring performances by famous jazz musicians such as Herbie Hancock, Diana Krall, and Pat Metheny. With its rich history and diverse range of performers, the club has become a hub for jazz enthusiasts and musicians alike, including Wynton Marsalis, Joshua Redman, and Christian McBride. The club's success has also led to collaborations with other notable jazz venues, such as the Village Vanguard and the Jazz Standard.

● History

The Blue Note Jazz Club was founded in 1981 by Danny Bensusan and Mike Parsons, with the first location opening in Greenwich Village, New York City. The club quickly gained popularity, hosting performances by legendary jazz musicians such as Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Thelonious Monk. Over the years, the club has undergone several changes in ownership and management, including a period under the direction of Steve Bensusan, who expanded the club's operations to include locations in Tokyo and Milan. The club has also hosted performances by other notable musicians, including Bill Evans, Charles Mingus, and Cannonball Adderley, as well as Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, and Bud Powell. Additionally, the club has featured performances by Ornette Coleman, Cecil Taylor, and Sun Ra, among others.

● Locations

The Blue Note Jazz Club has multiple locations around the world, including New York City, Tokyo, Milan, and Beijing. The New York City location is situated in the heart of Greenwich Village, while the Tokyo location is located in the Aoyama district. The Milan location is situated in the Brera district, and the Beijing location is located in the Chaoyang district. Other locations include Napa Valley, California, and Hawaii, featuring performances by musicians such as Kamasi Washington, Robert Glasper, and Esperanza Spalding. The club has also partnered with other notable venues, such as the Hollywood Bowl and the Montreux Jazz Festival, to host performances by Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, and Herbie Hancock.

● Notable Performers

The Blue Note Jazz Club has hosted a wide range of notable performers over the years, including Herbie Hancock, Diana Krall, and Pat Metheny. Other notable performers include Wynton Marsalis, Joshua Redman, and Christian McBride, as well as Chick Corea, Gary Burton, and Return to Forever. The club has also featured performances by John Scofield, Brad Mehldau, and The Bad Plus, among others, including Dave Brubeck, Paul Desmond, and Ella Fitzgerald. Additionally, the club has hosted performances by Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga, and Harry Connick Jr., as well as Norah Jones, Diana Reeves, and Al Jarreau.

● Discography

The Blue Note Jazz Club has released several live albums featuring performances by notable musicians, including Herbie Hancock's Maiden Voyage and Diana Krall's When I Look in Your Eyes. Other notable releases include Pat Metheny's Bright Size Life and Wynton Marsalis's Black Codes (From the Underground). The club has also released live albums featuring performances by Joshua Redman, Christian McBride, and Chick Corea, among others, including John Coltrane's A Love Supreme and Thelonious Monk's Monk's Dream. Additionally, the club has released albums featuring performances by Miles Davis, Bill Evans, and Charles Mingus, as well as Cannonball Adderley and Nancy Wilson.

● Awards and Recognition

The Blue Note Jazz Club has received numerous awards and recognition for its contributions to the jazz community, including a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Album for Herbie Hancock's River: The Joni Letters. The club has also been recognized by DownBeat Magazine as one of the Best Jazz Clubs in the World, and has received awards from JazzTimes Magazine and The Jazz Foundation of America. The club's owners, Danny Bensusan and Mike Parsons, have also been recognized for their contributions to the jazz community, including receiving a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Award. Additionally, the club has been recognized by The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and The Washington Post, among others, for its role in promoting jazz and supporting jazz musicians, including Kenny Barron, Curtis Fuller, and Lee Konitz. The club has also partnered with organizations such as the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz and the Jazz at Lincoln Center to promote jazz education and appreciation, featuring performances by Wynton Marsalis, Joshua Redman, and Christian McBride.