Best Jazz Club Cambridge Near Me

TBird100636: Let me be the first to say, I'm not a hard core Jazz aficionado. It started with a friend sharing Postmodern Jukebox almost 4 years ago. While I didn't like every cover they put out, I kept watching. In September of 2016 they debuted a new cover of Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up". The featured singer was a Swedish national treasure, jazz multi-instrumentalist Gunhild Carling. I was blown away by her energy, and being able to play so any different musical Instruments, and sing to boot. Weeks later, she was featured again, covering Madonna's "Material Girl", singing, playing trombone, and tap dancing. I was hooked, and started following her and her equally talented family shortly thereafter.While most of her touring was elsewhere in the world, she did occasionally have dates in the United States. I can't travel far for a variety of reasons, so even going to New York where she performed most frequently was out. Only something close to the South Shore area was feasible. With her increased fame from her PMJ covers, as well as her weekly stream from her former residence in Stockomollan, Sweden, she began to perform more frequently in the US.In the summer of 2018 she announced a variety of tour dates for the middle of November. One of those dates was the 14th, at Regattabar in Cambridge, located in the Charles Hotel. I ordered a ticket a couple months in advance, the pricing wasn't bad. Other than evening commuter traffic going into and out of Boston, it wasn't hard to get to. It took about an hour to get there from the South Shore. If you plan on coming here, use Google Maps to get directions and input the time you plan on leaving, that way you will get an accurate gauge of how long it will take to get here. Parking was very easy, it was in the hotel's own parking garage, Regattabar will validate your ticket for a buck or two off. For parking, drive all the way around the garage until you find the elevators, there seemed to be ample spaces right around there.I arrived early, doors actually opened 1/4 of 7 for the 7:30 showtime. Seating is randomly assigned, I guess according to when you bought your ticket, so I had a good seat in the front row to the left of the stage. It's a big room, seating take up about a 1/3 of it around the stage area, behind it is an open floor for dancing.The waiter greeted me almost right away, and I ordered a drink. I will say the drink seemed to have like a lead or graphite taste to it, but was passable. The show started right on time, Ms. Carling was backed up by New York based musicians Dave Post on bass, Matt Baker on piano, and Daniel Glass on drums. Let me tell you, if you have never seen Gunhild perform in person, go do it already. She is an amazing, friendly performer. I knew she would be better to see in person, but I was totally blown away. She did an hour and a half set that night.Overall, this was my first time at a jazz club, and it was a positive experience. The size of the room is great, with windows to look outside over-viewing Bennett St. The acoustics of the room were fantastic, the volume of the mics wasn't too loud, it wasn't too hot or too cold either. The lighting in the room set the mood well. Other than the drink issue, the chairs at the tables were a tad uncomfortable. Not much cushioning, and too upright for me. Other than that, a very enjoyable experience.7/4/2019 EDIT: I went to Regattabar on 6/20 to see Gunhild Carling perform again, simply amazing. Other than that, I did order a drink again, this time it didn't taste funny. The chairs are the same uncomfortable ones from last time. Even still, I had a front row seat, the earlier you buy a ticket, the better the seat you get.11/23/2022 EDIT: I'm not sure what's going on, but Regattabar closed 3/2020 as a result of the pandemic, but where the majority of venues have already reopened, this venue strangely has not. The website simply displays "Regattabar is temporarily closed due to Covid-19 until further notice.". I would hope they eventually reopen, but over 2 years later it does not appear so.

Jorge Pardo: very slow bar service

Amy Kushlan: Great little place! Went for Sunday brunch and got to enjoy music from a small folk group. Huge servings (I had French toast and hashbrowns, I had to take home leftovers!) and great service. There is art all over the walls to look at while you eat, the place has a great vibe. Highly recommended 👍