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Joe Segal's legendary Jazz Showcase has led a somewhat nomadic existence since he opened it in 1947, setting up shop in perhaps sixty different locations. The latest incarnation opened earlier this year in Printer's Row and this past weekend we used a gig by the legendary Benny Golson as an excuse to check out the new digs. Our conclusion: wow!
Segal has found a plum spot at historic Dearborn Station, it's easy to get to and has a vintage feel. The walls are festooned with some astonishing memorabilia, bolstering the claim that pretty every major American jazz figure of the 20th century has passed through its doors. Unlike The Green Mill, which is small and can get a little raucous, the new room at Jazz Showcase is expansive, with a capacity of around 170. And if you have a compulsion to blab at shows then it's best to just stay home. This is a place to listen to music. If you do start yapping you'll get some withering stares and Segal himself might come over to straighten you out.
A $20 cover allows you to stay for both sets, space permitting, and there are even family-friendly Sunday matinees at 4 p.m. when kids 12 and under get in free. The room has superb acoustics (only minimal amplification is necessary) and unimpeded sightlines no matter where you sit. Come early and you might snag the best seats in the house: a pair of overstuffed armchairs at stage left that will make you feel like you're listening to jazz in your living room.
photo by JOE M500
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The owner at Green Mill has been known to shush the crowd as well.
I'm not blaming Segal per say, but the Jazz showcase is not what "jazz" is supposed to be about
Segal's relaxed his booking policy in recent years, mainly out of economic necessity. Before the previous location closed he and his sons were booking vocalists (Segal's never been a fan of singers) because they often draw larger crowds than the instrumentalists.
Wow, If they are actively shutting people the hell up I'll try this place out. Nothing is more annoying than going to a small venue to hear live music and having assholes near you chattering loudly to each other/shouting on cellphones/etc.
@ Kaonashi: for sure! I should have been a bit more clear in my post though: vocal encouragement and applause is of course permitted and encouraged (in fact, Benny was doing plenty of that himself up onstage). Inane conversations and ESPECIALLY cell phone chatter are not.
Well I agree for the most part with the annoying chatter factor. However some chatter is to be expected. I am sometimes more annoyed by the people telling people to shut up, then the people who are chatting quietly. People can talk, they paid what you paid. You want a completely quiet show, hire the band for a private show because thats the only way to guarantee that.