Music
Back in the 50's and 60's the street that was home to many of the jazz clubs of NYC was W 52nd Street between 5th and 7th Avenues. There jazz legends such as Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Billie Holiday, Marian McPartland, Thelonious Monk, and Charlie Parker played to packed houses. Today most of the traditional jazz clubs are in the Village, but you can find great music all over town. This list, like all the others, is limited only to places I have been. There are many more venues.
Jazz + Blues
*Bemelman's at The Carlyle (Madison at 76th St) Piano jazz beginning around 5:30; around 9:30 the musicians change; expect cover charges
Birdland (44th bet 8th and 9th Aves)
*The Blue Note (W 3rd St near 6th Ave)
Cafe Carlyle (Madison at 76th St)
Dizzy's Club (The Shops at Columbus Circle) Impressive view while listening to great music
The Iridium (1650 Broadway)
Jazz at Lincoln Center (Time Warner Bld at 10 Columbus Circle) The Appel Room is a fabulous venue where the stage backdrop is a huge ceiling to floor window overlooking Columbus Circle and across Central Park South
Mezzrow (163 W 10th St) This is across the street from Smalls.
*Smalls Jazz Club (183 W 10th St)
Terra Blues (149 Bleecker St)
Village Vanguard (7th Ave at Perry St)
Other Music Venues
*Carnegie Hall (881 7th Ave)
Lincoln Center (10 Lincoln Center Plaza)
New York City Center (131 W 55th)
Sony Hall (235 W 46th St)
Café Wha? (115 MacDougal bet Bleeker and W 3rd) On my to do list!
Free concerts in churches, often during the noon hour
Free concerts at Juilliard School