LIVE JAZZ in KING WEST

Live jazz in King West is a staple in the neighbourhood’s hopping music scene and there are several hot spots jumping with soulful sounds on your King Blue doorstep. N’awlins, Joe Mamas, Lou Dawg’s and Roy Thomson Hall have all got jazz on tap this season.

N’awlins

N’awlins is a cozy restaurant and bar at 299 King Street West, oozing with sounds of live jazz and an occasional side of blues every night except Monday. Black and white photos of jazz legends decorate the walls and create the perfect mood. The bands play on a makeshift stage set between the handful of tables near the front of the narrow venue, and the the bar at the back.

Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays feature Brooke Blackburn and the N’awlins All Star Band (Blackburn on guitar, Collin Barrett on bass, and drummer Jojo Bowden). These cool cats play a mix of originals and covers, ranging from some funky Billy Preston to a smooth and soulful rendition of “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” to a jazzy “Happy Birthday” for a nearby table.

While listening to these sweet sounds, you’re bound to work up an appetite or at the very least, a thirst. N’awlins offers a Cajun-Creole style menu including Gumbo, Alligator Medallions, and Cajun Catfish. And the martini selection is excellent  – try any one of the cocktails named after the jazz elite: Charlie Parker, Billie Holiday, and Duke Ellington all make the list.

Joe Mamas

Literally steps away at 317 King Street West, is Joe Mamas, a Southern-style restaurant (same owners as N’awlins) with fantastic live music. The entertainment varies throughout the week, but Sunday nights starting at 6 p.m. are all about Organic, playing B3 Organ Jazz. The band, featuring Morgan Childs on drums, Nathan Hiltz on guitar, saxophone player Ryan Oliver and the incomparable pianist Bernie Senensky on the organ, recently recorded an album “Live at Joe Mamas”, to be released soon.

Entertaining diners with jazz standards as well as originals by the various band members, Organic’s groove is saucy. Joe Mama’s fiery red decor sets the perfect stage for Oliver’s slow, sultry sax jams. This band plays some stellar all-season jazz – it’s perfect sexy summer music, but Organic will definitely heat you up in the dead of winter as well.

Lou Dawg’s

This Southern-style bar and restaurant at 589 King Street West (I’m seeing a pattern here) known for its fabulous pulled pork and slow-smoked chicken wings, hosts Irene Torres and the Sugar Devils for Fat Tuesdays every week. The band and sultry songstress keep Lou Dawg’s hopping from 8-11 p.m. playing upbeat tunes. Various guest musicians play with the Sugar Devils on a regular basis, but the night I’m there the group includes core members Drew Austin (band leader and drummer), guitarist Josh Piche, Jesse Dietschi on bass, and Rob Christian on the keys and playing some crazy saxophone. After one particularly great tune with severaI solos, I turn wide-eyed to the bartender Bryar, who says “I know, they’re so good!” I’m envious of Bryar as she has the luxury of enjoying them every Tuesday night.

On the Sugar Devils’ Facebook page the band list their influences as “Gumbo, Cajon, Street Beats, Second Line, Mardi Gras, Swamp funk, any Creole mix!” Their genre-bending sound is definitely enough to inspire some Tuesday night partying, New Orleans style.

Roy Thomson Hall

If soaking up jazz in a tiny, dimly lit bar is not your cup of tea then the beautiful, shiny, and elegant Roy Thomson Hall awaits you. The 2012-2013 season has a few superstars lined up you won’t want to miss.

On February 8, 2013 Tony Bennett rolls into town celebrating his seventh decade in music ($59.50-$169.50) and next year on June 26, Pink Martini, with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, will grace the Toronto stage with their eclectic multilingual sound blending pop, jazz, big band and classical styles ($39.50-$99.50). Also, some might say she’s technically not jazz, but the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin deserves a mention as she’s playing RTH this upcoming November 30 ($59.50-$199.50).