Big Apple Jazz Tours

31/07/2024

Hello FB friends. This is just a quick note to let you know that even though we don't have an active FB feed we are still reaching for the stars as a company that has been around for longer than just this century!

We have a much more robust presence on Instagram since 2014 and for those who love the NYC jazz scene, it's a trip to scroll down this feed to remember all the musicians and clubs that have come and gone over the past 10 years. https://www.instagram.com/bigapplejazz/

See you out there.

08/12/2023

Wishing all my jazz loving family and friends Happy Holidays. (Click on the link to see how freakin' clever we are)!

05/07/2023

We are working with Seek to present intimate nights of exclusive jazz - pairing NY’s best singers with NY’s best pianists. These are one-time-only events that we’re very excited to experience ourselves.

This Thursday, July 6th, for one set only:

Emily Braden, vocals
ArcoIris Sandoval, piano

Sid Gold’s — 8pm

More Details/Buy Tickets:

One night only featuring jazz powerhouses Emily Braden and Arcoiris Sandval.

24/03/2023

25/11/2022

Warren Daniels at the Post. 2014.

20/11/2022

Hilliard Greene is a bass player that I have been following for years - going back to the 90’s when I saw him perform with Little Jimmy Scott (.jimmyscott_official). One of the purposes of this feed is to share the accounts of jazz giants and those just starting out, with those steeped in jazz culture here and those wishing to learn more and perhaps visit these clubs that I frequent with or without a tour guide.

19/11/2022

14/11/2022

The Village Vanguard.

03/11/2022

Finally got to hear Stacy Dillard for the first time since lock down. Absolutely worth the wait!

29/10/2022

Nothing beats Mona’s on Tuesdays for that old time feeling.

23/10/2022

Autumn in New York! Stellar night of jazz starring Stella K. Cole Trio at Cloak Room, and featuring Waldron M. Ricks at Hamilton’s B & K with the Bill Buchman 5. We even got a surprise serenade from our own , Amanda! Our intimate quintet of Big Apple Jazzers had good reason to smile…Sugar Hill is killing it Friday nights.

18/10/2022

https://gofund.me/5f838c5a

Our good friend Russell Carter is recovering from open heart surgery. He’s a beautiful cat who swings on drums, but it will be a while before his doctors let him get back out there. In the meantime, there’s a love bucket on GoFundMe that we can all contribute into from our hearts. See the link above and I’ll put it in my profile for a while for easy access. It’s a good day to give. Spread the link.

02/10/2022

Apollo Salutes

29/09/2022

NEA Jazz Master, George Coleman, hanging at NAMA with George Jr. on drums. Big Apple Jazz Tours - Let Us Show You Where It’s At.

23/09/2022

2 Words: Yayoi Ikawa!

14/09/2022

Paul Deo is apparently updating and upgrading his masterpiece known as Planet Harlem. I do my best to show this piece off on as many tours as possible. I think I see at least one new addition, Dapper Dan (if I’m not mistaken), joining Jimi Hendrix on the lower left side of the mural. I’m excited to witness the final result.

13/09/2022

Shouting out Annette St. John!! She was stunning at Minton’s on Saturday night with the Phil Young Experience.

09/09/2022

Great spirit last Thursday at Patrick’s Place

04/09/2022

Saxophonist Ray Blue is keeping the “soul jazz” flame lit by continuing to lead Hammond organ trios uptown, downtown and all around. If you love that Hammond sound played right, contact us at Big Apple Jazz Tours, Let Us Show Yiu Where It’s At.

27/08/2022

I usually strive to capture the essence of the artist and venue I’m photographing for this feed. I’m particularly happy with the goal being met with this image of vocalist, Nicole Magallón, at The Cloak Room last Thursday. An elegant and soulful singer in an elegant and soulful venue (made infinitely more soulful when the yackety yackers yacking next to us finally split before the last set). Amazingly, truly astonishingly, Nicole blocked them out and performed as if unperturbed. A true professional. I couldn’t do it that’s for sure. I think this image captures all that. By the way, I don’t shush anyone at clubs anymore, I just use the opportunity to work on my skills of composing myself. 😇

24/08/2022

Monday Night Magic. It’s a sure thing folks. We started the night with rockin’ wails at Silvana and ended with cockintails at Sugar Monk. The Max Bessesen Trio holding it down at the speakeasy; and Joshua2 and Marvel Allen tearing the roof off at Phil Young’s weekly underground “House of Blues” set. Come on and let us show you where it’s at!!

19/08/2022

There’s nothing like a Thursday night at Minton’s. Rochelle Thompson closed the jam with her rendition of Summertime that had everyone stomping. , bass. ?-tap dancing (help me with a name if you have).

15/08/2022

This is an annual Big Apple Jazz Tours mid-August lazy-ass photo dump of recent Harlem tours. As always, a big thank you to our beautiful, wonderful guests and to my lovely co-host, Amanda, for all your expert guiding, care, and support.

01/08/2022

- Jonathan Finlayson
- Michael Pallas
- David Lee Jones
- Greg Lewis
Post 398, Harlem

27/07/2022

Minton’s Place / Bebop Blvd

Big Apple Jazz Tours. Let us show you where it’s at!

07/06/2022

This one deserves a stand alone…

07/06/2022

Johnny Hartman made a beautiful ballads record with John Coltrane in 1963 that assured his place in jazz history, though many will pass his Sugar Hill Plaza with little or no recognition of his enormous talent. Jump on a Big Apple Jazz Harlem Juke Joint Tour - We’ll Show You Where It’s At. We’ll also check out speakeasies in the area where todays balladeers, Alexander Wright and Richard Baskin, might be found crooning late into the night.

11/05/2022

Keith “The Captain” Gamble and Kevin “The Genius” Belle. New Amsterdam Musical Association - now in its 100th year on 130th Street, Harlem USA. 2022.