"Smoke" and "Blue Note"

The Holy Innocents Street Fair along Broadway south of 59 street towards Times Square - many many bargains - I think I have bought my weight in pashminas and scarves.  The street food of choice seemed to be arepas...

As night is falling - still shopping...well actually in between there was a jazz brunch with Lea DeLaria at "Smoke" she is a powerhouse vocalist and great comedian - with a wonderful young trio...her set included a couple of Bowie tunes - that's her next project, plus she has released a Christmas CD - the first one by a living jazz artist Warner has produced since the 60's. 

Later a cab ride over to Greenwich Village to catch Gary Burton at the Blue Note - awesome opening act with Melissa Aldana's quintet - an up and coming saxophonist - a lovely version of "My Foolish Heart"...my neighbours at the table an Englishman and his French wife, a musician from Brooklyn and his German friend visiting the U.S. for the first time since they met 20 years ago - they had a serious jazz club schedule. I found out about the Bar Next Door another jazz venue and that he knew the fabulous drummer, Edmonton born Owen Howard - it really is a small world in the jazz community.

Gary had an outstanding quartet with Antonio Sanchez on drums, Scott Colley on bass and guitar phenom Julian Loge. Julian had an exquisite intro to "My Funny Valentine" and other standout numbers were the rarely performed Monk tune "Light Blue". Another highlight - the original tune "Last Snow" by a Russian composer friend.

For their pre-emptive encore they did "Bag's Groove" because as Gary explained there was no where for them to go "offstage"....

The marquee  for the show I saw yesterday

Columbus Circle..

The facade of the City theatre? I think - gorgeous tilework - Arabic influenced...so many great buildings in this city.

Today is Century 21 for designer discount shopping in Brooklyn!