The Garage (99 7th St) has nightly free jazz performances.
The “Justin Lees Trio” consisted of Rudy (drums), Justin, (double bass) and Michael (hollow-body guitar). The atmosphere of the venue was perfect- the music was right next to the bar and the dim lighting created a very mellow and comfortable atmosphere.
The music was upbeat, but not flashy or eccentric- just perfect for the mood of the crowd and bar. Though not an expert on jazz i fee confident enough to say the band played with a blues style, and perhaps even a sort of swing as well. The drummer mostly tapped the symbols, though he kept it splashy (for lack of a more fitting word). The guitar was done beautifully- the hollow-body guitar was a perfect choice provided a deep and bright blues tone. Most impressive was Justin on the double bass. I am not sure if this is typical or atypical of a jazz performance but he was the centerpiece to me. His hands moved so quick and the rhythms were so engaging. When he took the baseline for a walk he took you along with him through all the highs and lows. He had a few solos and they were masterful and the feeling with which he played was palpable.
Since this is a review and i am supposed to be a journalist i must offer one piece of criticism- the bass, while played beautifully, was too quiet, and while it may have been fine for the regular playing, a bit louder would have made a big difference for the solos.
I would definitely recommend this performance to a friend- the band was very listenable and even a novice like myself was immensely engaged. The lighthearted mood and low key atmosphere make it an ideal place to meet a friend, drink, dine, and listen to wonderful music.
Nice review,
I will check it out.