Parlor Jazz in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn

Saturday night I experienced a Valentines day treat like you can only get in Brooklyn. This is the kind of True New York Experience you won’t find in Time Out.

I knew we were headed to a show , but as I walked down Vanderbilt between Myrtle and Park, I thought to myself, where is the venue? It’s a very residential block. Outside 119 Vanderbilt I saw a laminated card advertising “Parlor Jazz” featuring The Ed Stout Quintet. We entered at the garden floor door and were greeted by Jim Morehand and Dave Polazzo who have been hosting Parlor Jazz monthly for eight years. Up the stairs and into the parlor, and there they were — the Ed Stoute Quintet: Ed Stoute on piano, Keith Loftis on tenor sax, Julian Pressley on alto sax, Dave Jackson on bass and Butch Bateman on drums.

The quintet was incandescent on this cold, dark February night. Mr Stoute is a native of Brooklyn and a veteran of the New York Jazz scene, having formed his first trio in 1960 and performed all over the city and all over the world. His rhythms, provided by Mr. Jackson and Mr. Bateman are elegant and sly, like the wink of a sweet, young thing. The tenor and alto pass melodies and harmonies back and forth like an urbane, inside story. And the piano just sings.

The experience is what Small’s used to be and occasionally still is, but this is Brooklyn baby! And you won’t find jazz nearer to its beating heart and soul anywhere else in New York — or the world.

Jim and Dave provide delicious snacks and all the wine you can drink with the price of admission. My favorite was the pineapple upside down cake. The doors open at 8:30, and the first set begins at 9. I suggest getting there on time, or else you might have to stand in the back next to the snacks with easy access to wine throughout the performance. Actually, that’s not so bad. Next month, March 13th, check out Carrie Jackson and her Jazzin’ All Stars!

Parlor Jazz

ft. Carrie Jackson & Her Jazzin’ All Stars

Saturday, March 13th. Doors at 8:30. First set at 9, second at 10:30

$30

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