Blue Note August 2012 by Highline Ballroom

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NEW YORK

EARL KLUGH August 7 - 12

A u g u s t

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WO R L D â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S F I N E S T JA Z Z C L U B A N D R E S TAU R A N T 131 w. 3rd st. new york city 212. 475. 8592 www.bluenotejazz.com

ARRIVE EARLY, EAT DINNER & GET THE BEST SEATS

DERRICK WRIGHT & DRIVEN

BOBBY KEYS & THE SUFFERING BASTARDS

AUG 13 8:30PM

AUG 23 7:30PM

50TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR

LEGENDARY ROLLING STONES SAXOPHONIST

F/ MEMBERS OF GEORGIA SATELLITES, BLACK CROWES & JOHN FOGERTY WITH LERA LYNN

AMBER BULLOCK

RODRIGUEZ

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JERRY GONZALEZ & THE COMMANDOS DE LA CLAVE

AS SEEN IN “SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN”

PEDRITO MARTINEZ GROUP F/ ARIACNE TRUJILLO

AUG 31 8PM

AUG 29 8PM New School Jazz Department Benefit

PETER BERSTEIN

WITH KEITH CARLOCK & NATE WOOD

Corey King & TAFFY Moon Hooch

SEP 21 8PM

50TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR

GUITAR PLAYER MAGAZINE’S “BEST NEW TALENT”

SEP 18 8PM

BETTYE LAVETTE SEP 28 8PM

OCT 1 8PM

NEAL MORSE

WANDA JACKSON

OCT 11 7:30PM

OCT 12 7PM

RACHAEL MACFARLANE

JULIE FEENEY

CD/BOOK RELEASE SHOW

JOE ROBINSON

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WAYNE KRANTZ

F/ MIKE PORTNOY

“HAYLEY SINGS”

WITH TEDD FIRTH AND THE BIG BAND OCT 15 8PM

OCT 24 8PM black logo on white background

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AUGUST CALENDAR

LATE NIGHT GROOVE SERIES

MAYA AZUCENA AUGUST 6

OUT TO LUNCH AUGUST 3

EARL KLUGH AUGUST 7 - 12

TBA AUGUST 4

WILL CALHOUN

cPHOUR AUGUST 10

JJ SANSAVERINO & NU JAZZ AUGUST 14

ENFANTS TERRIBLES LEE KONITZ, BILL FRISELL, GARY PEACOCK & JOEY BARON AUGUST 15 - 19

MARCUS STRICKLAND

CELEBRATING MICHAEL BRECKER FT. RAVI COLTRANE & JEFF “TAIN” WATTS

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AUGUST 21 - 23

CHRISTIAN SCOTT

WOMEN OF SOUL AUGUST 11

AUGUST 13

AUGUST 20

TWO SHOWS NIGHTLY: 8 & 10:30PM LATE NIGHT GROOVE: FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS 12:30AM midnight SUNDAY JAZZ BRUNCH: 12:30 & 2:30 PM

Lalana w/ Shae Fiol with Mariachi de Flor and Ms. Cheryl Pepsii Riley AUGUST 17 CANDICE ANITRA AUGUST 18 MALCOLM PARSON AUGUST 24 THE STATESMEN AUGUST 25 WALTER CHRISTOPHER AUGUST 31 AZANIA SEPTEMBER 1

AUGUST 24 - 26

REVIVE DA LIVE BIG BAND Presented w/Revive Music

SUNDAY BRUNCH

AUGUST 27

PEDRO GIRAUDO JAZZ SEXTET AUGUST 5

KENNY WERNER QUINTET

GILAD HEKSELMAN AUGUST 12

AUGUST 28 - SEPTEMBER 2

NOBUKI TAKAMEN AUGUST 19 CHRISTINE VAINDIRLIS AUGUST 26 NYU JAZZ BRUNCH SEPTEMBER 2

L a t e N i g h t G r o o v e S ERIE S

OUT TO LUNCH CD Release Show

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3

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experience,” while the Village Voice has hailed the group as an “ambitious and funky groove-prov octet.” Tonight’s show features David Levy (woodwinds), Josiah Woodson (trumpet, flute & guitar), Walter Fischbacher (keys), Zack Lober (bass), Jason Kruk (drums).

TBA

Pushing the depths of the underground jazz scene, cutting-edge NYC-based Out to Lunch will be releasing its third album, No One Left Behind, on Mesa Recordings, and launching it at the historic Blue Note Jazz Club tonight. Tracks such as “In Da House” and “It’s a Jungle Out There” move effortlessly from funk to breakbeat and from dub to house, hitting both the mind and feet. Billboard has called the band’s music “a distinctive brand of funk ... expanding the range of the listener’s

12:30AM $10

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12:30 AM $10

SATURDAY, AUGUST 4

Every Friday and Saturday night, the Blue Note hosts the Late Night Groove Series, featuring some of the most innovative, cutting-edge musicians from New York City and beyond. Genres performed at the Late Night Groove Series run thegamut from jazz and funk to hip-hopand R&B, with improvisation being the common thread throughout. Over the last ten years, the series has played host to some of the biggest names in music,such as DJ Logic & Project Logic, Brazilian Girls, Meshell Ndegeocello, John Popper, Ledisi, Vernon Reid, John Scofield, Benevento & Russo, Skerik, AdamDeitch, and Eric Roberson, to name a few. Check our website www.bluenotejazz.com to see which artist will be performing in tonight’s Late Night Groove Series!

SUNDAY BRUNCH SERIES

PEDRO GIRAUDO JAZZ SEXTET SUNDAY, AUGUST 5

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Torres, and Miguel Zenon. His latest album Córdoba (ZOHO Music) won 4 top awards in Latin Jazz Corner’s “Best of 2011.” Today’s show features Jonathan Powell (trumpet), Luke Batson (saxes), Mark Miller (trombone), Jess Jurkovic (piano), Paulo Stagnaro (percussion), Pedro Giraudo (bass).

Originally from Córdoba, Argentina, Pedro Giraudo moved to NY in 1996. He has become a highly versatile bassist, composer and arranger, performing in a wide variety of musical projects, both his own award winning Pedro Giraudo Jazz Orchestra and as a member of several prominent ensembles, ranging from tango to jazz. He has collaborated with GRAMMY award winner Pablo Ziegler, 9-time GRAMMY award winner Paquito D’Rivera, Latin American icon Ruben Blades, and Dizzy Gillespie’s protégé William Cepeda, as well as ‘Tango meets Jazz’ guests: Branford Marsalis, Kenny Garrett, Regina Carter, Nestor

12:30 & 2:30PM $29.50 includes music, brunch & 1 drink

ENFANTs TERRIBLES

lee konitz, bill frisell garry peacock & joey baron

with

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live at the blue note

ENFANTS TERRIBLES

features four veteran jazzmen whose collective efforts on stage and in the studio span decades. Together they are saxophonist Lee Konitz, guitarist Bill Frisell, bassist Gary Peacock and drummer Joey Baron; individually, each boasts a distinguished career path and network of associations representing jazz’s wide range of stylistic directions.

AVAILABLE UPSTAIRS IN THE BLUE NOTE GIFT SHOP!

MAYA AZUCENA 8 & 10:30PM

Maya Azucena emerged as a presence on the landscape of popular music following her self-released debut Maya Who?! and the critically acclaimed Junkyard Jewel. Billboard, The Village Voice and The Washington Post have all heralded her mesmerizing performances in the U.S. while her music’s been featured on HBO (The Wire), NBC (30 Rock), and in ads for Verizon Wireless and Ford Motors. Her work with Stephen Marley netted a “Best Reggae Album” GRAMMY and her vocal contributions to an album by Croatian superstar Gibonni garnered two Porin Awards (the top music award in Croatia).

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Her most recent record, Cry Love, is the artistic statement that Maya Azucena has sought to make since day one. The Brooklyn-based singersongwriter’s impressive versatility unfolds over ten original compositions plus a dramatic interpretation of “Little Ghetto Boy.” Executive-produced

with her longtime collaborator Christian Ver Halen, and released on her new imprint label, Azucena Songs, Cry Love represents a powerful journey that distills the universal themes of love, survival, and hope.

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Maya Azucena inhabits a musical world of her own creation. Her progressive yet accessible style is shaped by an expansive vision that unites genres – uniting hip hop, soul, jazz, reggae, electronica and pop. Like Lauryn Hill, Corinne Bailey Rae, or Gnarls Barkley, she embodies a singular and finely honed artistry through a combination of profound lyrics, soaring melodies, and irresistible rhythms.

$15 AT TABLE / $10 AT BAR

MONDAY, AUGUST 6

Threaded throughout Cry Love is Maya Azucena’s belief that music is a tool for healing and activism. Parallel to her recordings, she’s supported a number of charitable initiatives. She performed at the “Save Darfur Rally” in Washington DC, where she appeared among politicians and celebrities such as President Barack Obama and George Clooney. She cofounded MDGFive.com with Emmywinning director Lisa Russell. Their multimedia website for maternal health awareness prompted an invitation from Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for Maya to perform at the United Nation’s 2010 MDG Summit. Maya also received a Proclamation from the House of Representatives and recently won The Network Journal’s prestigious “Top 40 Under 40” Award in recognition of her tireless community work and strong business acumen.

EARL KLUGH 8 & 10:30PM

The Spice of Life, Klugh’s l a t e s t album, came out in 2008 earning the guitarist his 12th GRAMMY nomination. His first full-ensemble album in more than eight years, the disc follows his 2005 GRAMMY-nominated solo classic Naked Guitar. The album finds Klugh sailing through originals, standards, and even a Thelonious Monk tune. The sound is absolutely true to the Earl Klugh style: timeless, positive, and still fresh, with pristine studio sound. The disc segues effortlessly from jazz to Latin to pop through a compositional approach recalling his GRAMMY-winning work with Bob James in One on One, spiced with all the lyric flourishes that established Klugh’s distinctive signature all those years ago.

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Klugh won the 1980 GRAMMY for Best Pop Instrumental Performance for the million-selling album One on One with Bob James. Collaboration, his 1987 album with George Benson, was certified Gold by the RIAA. In total, he has recorded over 30 albums in his multi-millionselling career, including four No. 1 albums on Billboard’s Jazz Album chart. He has also worked with such world-renowned artists as George Duke, Stanley Clarke, Al Jarreau, Patti Austin, and Ravi Coltrane.

In early April 2008, Klugh presented his fifth annual Weekend of Jazz at The Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs, CO, joining world-renowned peers Ramsey Lewis, Boney James, Mindi Abair, and fellow Koch labelmate Sophie Milman. In 2010, he brought the performance series to Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina; he recently completed his second year at this new venue this past November.

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In a recording career spanning over three decades, master guitarist Earl Klugh has been lauded as a prodigy, groundbreaker, defining figure, and ultimately a true statesmen of contemporary jazz. Widely regarded as a guitar legend, he maintains a loyal and devoted fan base, touring the U.S. and the world playing music that is beautiful, lyrical, elegant, and eternally cool and classy.

$35 AT TABLE / $20 AT BAR

AUGUST 7 - 12

Klugh continues to be one of the most in-demand live artists globally. In 2007, he introduced his concert series, Night of Guitars, featuring fellow guitar legends Bill Frisell, Russell Malone, Ray Parker Jr., and Peter White. He has also toured India twice with the sponsorship of the U.S. State Department and The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz.

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cPHOUR

FRIDAY, AUGUST 10

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WOMEN OF SOUL

In addition to his work with cPhour, Berg has collaborated with many worldrenowned musicians, including Lenny White, John Scofield, J.D. Allen, Seamus Blake, Rodney Green, Eric Lewis, Ravi Coltrane, Helen Sung, Justin Brown, David Berkman, Jeff Coffin, Roy Hargrove, Logan Richardson, George Garzone, and Vincent Gardner.

Led by bassist Ryan Berg, cPhour is a jazz quintet that puts its own innovative spin on modern jazz, blending a host of influences ranging from John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Branford Marsalis to James Brown, D’Angelo, and Erykah Badu. In addition to Berg, the members of the quintet include the adroit young saxophonist Stacy Dillard, the in-demand guitarist Craig Magnano, the groundbreaking pianist George Burton, and the fiercely passionate drummer Jeremy “Bean” Clemons. All of these musicians lead prominent solo careers of their own and boast impressive resumes.

12:30 AM $10

SATURDAY, AUGUST 11

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Post-punk, indie band Bachslider features Honeychild Coleman (bass & vocals), Jorge Vega (drums & vocals), Annu Lilja (lead guitar & vocals). The Bachslider journey begun on a Gowanus rooftop moments before the tornado touchdown in September 2010 against a sky black like our hearts. NOISEAUX (French pronunciation: [nwazo) roughly translated from its French equivalent, means ‘nuts.’ On the forefront of the global Afropunk scene,

this performance collective based around influential French-German artist, author and activist Noah Sow have been making a ruckus onstage with their own blend of punk, jazz, electro and chanson, breaking stereotypes about who a punk-rocker is and what they look like: conférence, electronica, badass beats, empowerment, a token guitar, rock drums gone new wave, extraterrestrial vocal performance and transitions happening on more than just a musical level.

SUNDAY BRUNCH SERIES

GILAD HEKSELMAN SUNDAY, AUGUST 12

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played many of the world’s major festivals, including Montreux, North Sea, Montreal, and San Francisco. His latest album, Hearts Wide Open (2011) received rave reviews and was featured in many Best of 2011 lists, including those compiled by The New York Times, Amazon, and iTunes. Today’s trio features Matt Brewer (bass) and Rudy Royston (drums).

Gilad Hekselman has been developing a reputation as one of the most promising guitarists in NY since arriving in 2004. The native Israeli has shared the stage with the greatest artists in the NY jazz scene: Chris Potter, Mark Turner, John Scofield, Ari Hoenig, Esperanza Spalding, Gretchen Parlato, Aaron Parks, and Greg Hutchinson. Hekselman has played all the famous jazz clubs in NY, including the Blue Note, the Jazz Standard, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, and Smalls. He is constantly touring worldwide and has

12:30 & 2:30PM $29.50 includes music, brunch & 1 drink

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will calhoun trio

In addition to his work with Living Colour, Will has recorded and/or toured and performed with diverse artists including B.B. King, Mick Jagger, Jaco Pastorious, Harry Belafonte, Pharoah Sanders, Jack DeJohnette, Paul Simon, Lou Reed, Marcus Miller, Dr. John, Carly Simon, Herb Alpert, Oumou Sangare, Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood, Wayne Shorter (on the GRAMMYwinning CD, High Life), Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, and The Allman Brothers. As a producer, player, and songwriter, Will has worked on Herb Alpert’s G rammy nominated CD, Colors, and Mos Def’s The New Danger CD.

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Will’s latest creation, Native Lands, is his follow-up release on Half Note Records. The album can be described as Jazz meets World, coupled with trance-inducing urban music. This dual disc (CD/DVD) combines Calhoun’s experiences as he marries his far reaching interests in a genrebending collection that taps key expressionists from various backgrounds. Among those contributing are Pharaoh Sanders, Mos Def, Buster Williams, Stanley Jordan, Kevin Eubanks, Marcus Miller and Wallace Roney, as well as Nana Va s c o n c e l o s from Brazil and Cheick Tidiane Seck from Mali.

$15 AT TABLE / $10 AT BAR

8 & 10:30PM

MONDAY, AUGUST 13

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Not many artists have the vision and artistic energy to be Grammy winners and contribute to so many genres: jazz, rock, hiphop, ambient, et al, while concurrently producing, touring, creating new projects, working on films, and continually pushing the envelope. Will Calhoun has this creative vision, and he is doing an extraordinary job keeping music a spiritual and motivating force in his life.

After releasing several solo drum/electronic albums and (with Doug Wimbish and Vinx) forming the groundbreaking band JUNGLE FUNK in the late 90’s, Will released his first solo jazz CD, which was Grammynominated in 2000: The Will Calhoun Quintet: Live at the Blue Note.

JJ Sansaverino & Nu Jazz 8 & 10:30PM

The album is a diverse showcase of original guitar style and features many of NYC’s finest musicians. with his band Nu Jazz, Sansaverino continues to perform shows around the country while simultaneously preparing for the recording of his forthcoming sophomore album, Waiting for You. A perfect follow-up to Sunshine After Midnight, the album promises to deliver a continuous array of colorful moodprovoking music with a few special guest appearances.

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An accomplished composer, arranger, and musical director, Sansaverino was playing trumpet and violin by age 11 and the guitar by age 13. Growing up in and around New York, his diverse influences - Santana and Hendrix, as well as jazz, Motown, and doo-wop helped mold his unique style. After performing locally in NYC for several years in the early ‘90s, Sansaverino embarked on his first European tour with the popular alternative rock band Heads Up.

jingles and appearing and recording with artists like George Clinton, Kelly Price, SuperCat, Shabba Ranks, Monty Alexander, the Jungle Brothers, Rita and Ky-Mani Marley, and Toots and the Maytals. In 2005, Sansaverino released a stunning collection of his original compositions titled Sunshine After Midnight.

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Over the past several years, guitarist Joe “JJ” Sansaverino has reached millions with his music, touring the United States, Canada, Europe, Africa, Asia, the South Pacific, and the Caribbean.

Upon returning to the U.S., Sansaverino attended Berklee College of Music, graduating in 1994 and winning the school’s prestigious Writing Award of the Year. Relocating to New York, he began performing nightly, quickly earning a reputation as one of the hardest-working musicians on the scene. It wasn’t long before he started recording TV

$15 AT TABLE / $10 AT BAR

tuesDAY, AUGUST 14

ENFANTS TERRIBLES: KONITZ/FRISELL/PEACOCK/BARON 8 & 10:30PM

$35 AT TABLE / $20 AT BAR

span a wide area of musical influences, and his vast back catalogue, which includes 15 recordings for Nonesuch, was lauded by DownBeat as being the “best recorded product of the decade.”

Tonight at the Blue Note, four remarkable jazz artists join forces to celebrate their latest Half Note Records release, Enfants Terribles. A French term for “successful people who [are] strikingly unorthodox, innovative, or avantgarde” (Merriam-Webster), the title of the disc is certainly a fitting description for these four artists, each of whom has redefined the jazz tradition in his own way throughout his career.

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AUGUST 15 - 19

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Lee Konitz is sometimes regarded as the preeminent cool jazz saxophonist because he performed and recorded with Claude Thornhill, Lennie Tristano, and with Miles Davis on his epochal Birth of the Cool (1957), which gave the form its name. He has recorded dozens of albums as a band leader and has also recorded or performed with Dave Brubeck, Ornette Coleman, Charles Mingus, Gerry Mulligan, Elvin Jones, and many others. Guitarist Bill Frisell’s expressive virtuosity has placed him much in demand as a guitarist and musician. He has worked with artists as diverse as Ginger Baker, Don Byron, Ron Carter, Elvis Costello, Bono, Jerry Douglas, Paul Motian, and John Zorn, to name a few. His recordings of the past decades

A subtle but adventurous bassist, Gary Peacock’s flexibility and consistently creative ideas have been an asset to several important groups. Over the course of his career he has worked with Miles Davis, Albert Ayler, Barney Kessel, Paul Bley, Bill Evans, Jimmy Giuffre, Roland Kirk, and George Russell, among others. He has also been the bassist in a trio with Keith Jarrett and Jack DeJohnette, a group that continues to record and perform today. Joey Baron, a largely self-taught drummer, has collaborated with an impressive list of jazz luminaries. In addition to being a member of the Bill Frisell Band for ten years until 1995, he has performed or recorded with Carmen McRae, Dizzy Gillespie, Tony Bennett, Chet Baker, Stan Getz, Lee Konitz, Joe Lovano, David Bowie, The Los Angeles Philharmonic, Philip Glass, John Abercrombie, Mel Lewis, Pat Martino, David Sanborn, Al Jarreau, Jim Hall, Randy Brecker, Marian McPartland, John Scofield, and many others.

L a t e N i g h t G r o o v e S ERIE S

LALANA w/ special guests

SHAE FIOL with MARIACHI DE FLOR & MS. CHERYL PEPSII RILEY FRIDAY, AUGUST 17

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before venturing out into a solo jazz career. The journey continues with a debut album scheduled to release February 2012 called MoodSwings. This project is a reflection of growth, character and just the many moods we go through on this road of life.

Lalana’s unique vocal style has been linked to Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Brian McKnight, and Alicia Keys. She attended Berklee College of Music at 16 on a full scholarship purely for her vocal talent. After college Lalana was able to sing supporting vocals for Barry White, Patti LaBelle, D’Angelo, Stevie Wonder, Donna Summer, Norman Brown and Rafael Martos. Performing and writing songs in English and Spanish for both stage and film, Lalana briefly signed with Polygram Records

12:30am $10

CANDICE ANITRA 12:30 AM $10

SATURDAY, AUGUST 18

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Blending poetry and melody, left-ofsoul songstress Candice Anitra explores the fine lines between genders, self-love and loathing, and the polarities that exist in us all. She is part soul singer, and equal parts rabble-rouser and philosopher, with her edgy, electrorock-infused, sultry songs. After releasing an EP in 2008, Anitra’s full-length debut, Bark then Bite, dropped in 2010. It wasn’t long before the praises began to roll in from Soul Tracks, Rolling Out, and Soul Bounce. Anitra’s sophomore effort, Big Tree, came out earlier this year. The album, like Anitra, deftly defies genre classification. “I’m messy!” she declares. “I don’t fit and I never have. I don’t always have to be provocative, but I can be. I like to explore the masculine, the femi-

nine, and the androgynous. That, to me, seems like a fair representation of me as a full artist. This is my peace.”

EAST MEETS WEST BRUNCH SERIES

NOBUKI TAKAMEN CD RELEASE SHOW

SUNDAY, AUGUST 19

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with his trio in Japan in 2011, Takamen recorded his first trio album, Three Wishes. This upcoming fourth album, featuring his new compositions written for trio, comes out on August 14, 2012. Today’s CD release show features John Lenis (bass) and Yutaka Uchida (drums).

Guitarist Nobuki Takamen was born in Hiroshima in 1977. A mainstay of the NY jazz scene, Takamen leads his own group, which has toured in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, and appeared at festivals including the Montreal International Jazz Festival and the Rochester International Jazz Festival. Both his releases for What’s New Records, Bull’s Blues (2006) and From Now On (2008), are comprised entirely of his original compositions. His third album Live at the Iridium (2010), released on Summit Records, presents a complete, uncut performance from the Iridium Jazz Club. After touring

12:30 & 2:30PM $29.50 includes music, brunch & 1 drink

HALF NOTE RECORDS NEW RELEASE

KENNY WERNER

With THE BRUSSELS JAZZ ORCHESTRA

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INSTITUTE OF HIGHER LEARNING Long regarded as one of Europe’s premier big bands - a group that “manifests love,” according to Grammy-winning arranger Maria Schneider - The Brussels Jazz Orchestra has joined hands with Kenny Werner to create a winning tableau vivant of spirited writing and performance. The Institute of Higher Learning features a sumptuous 3-part suite, “Cantabile,” that reinforces in a singular way Werner’s place among forwardthinking jazzmen. Textural, rhythmic, evincing cascading swirls of color, it was inspired by and dedicated to Bob Brookmeyer. Led by reedman and group founder Frank Vaganee, the BJO offers a perfect canvas for Werner’s painterly approach to composition and arranging.

AVAILABLE UPSTAIRS IN THE BLUE NOTE GIFT SHOP!

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MARCUS STRICKLAND

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MONDAY, AUGUST 20 8 & 10:30PM $15 AT TABLE / $10 AT BAR

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The great Miles Davis once said, “The thing to judge in any jazz artist is, does the man project, and does he have ideas?” If these are indeed the canonical essentials of a jazz artist at his best, then saxophonist Marcus Strickland is one of today’s truest exemplars. With a professional career that has just passed the 10-year mark, Strickland’s influential sound, distinguished body of work, impressive set of credentials, and steady acknowledgement from virtually every credible jazz critic have earned him a rightful place alongside the very best narrators of modern jazz. Strickland’s broad creative range, along with his emergence as a singular voice on his instrument, helped him land his first recording deal as a leader with the Fresh Sound label in the early ‘00s. In between releasing his first two label projects, At Last (2001) and Brotherhood (2003), Strickland was also making his case

as one of the finest saxophonists in the world, placing third in the 2002 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition. Strickland emphasizes listening in his bands, and lately, his critics have been listening, too. Over the last six years, he has held some of the most prestigious positions in the realm of jazz journalism, being named Rising Star on Tenor Saxophone in DownBeat’s 2010 Critics Poll, Rising Star on Soprano Saxophone in DownBeat’s 2008 Critics Poll, and Best New Artist in JazzTimes’ 2006 Readers’ Poll. His latest release, Triumph of the Heavy: Vol. 1 & 2 (2011), has also won him critical acclaim in the jazz community. His covetable list of recording and performing credits includes Wynton Marsalis, Tom Harrell, Dave Douglas, Roy Haynes, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Robert Glasper, Damion Reid, Ben Williams, his twin brother E.J., and many more.

Celebrating Michael Brecker

ft. Ravi Coltrane & Jeff “Tain” Watts

to New York City, where he landed work with several bands before cofounding the pioneering jazz-rock group Dreams in 1970. Three years later, he joined his brother in the frontline of pianist and composer Horace Silver’s quintet. The following year, the siblings branched off to form The Brecker Brothers – one of the most innovative and successful jazz-funk fusion bands of the decade. The end of the ‘70s also saw the pair form the all-star quartet Steps Ahead.

Following a two-and-a-half year illness, jazz saxophone titan Michael Brecker passed away at the age of 57 in January 2007. As a result of his stylistic and harmonic innovations, Brecker is the most influential saxophonist of the last 30 years and is among the most studied contemporary instrumentalists in music schools throughout the world today. He is also a 15-time Grammy winner.

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AUGUST 21 - 23 8 & 10:30PM $35 AT TABLE / $20 AT BAR

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On August 21-23, 2012, JazzReach, Inc. and the Blue Note Jazz Club will proudly present “Celebrating Michael Brecker: A Musical Remembrance,” featuring saxophonist Ravi Coltrane along with Brecker’s longtime rhythm section: pianist Joey Calderazzo, drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts, and bassist James Genus. The show will also feature appearances by several very special guests. This series of performances will function as a fundraiser for the NYCbased not-for-profit, JazzReach, Inc., with all proceeds from ticket sales directly benefiting the organization’s 2012-2013 season of educational outreach programming for young audiences nationwide. Born into a musical household in 1949, Brecker studied music at the University of Indiana along with his older brother Randy before moving

In the ‘70s and ‘80s, Brecker recorded and performed with a virtual who’s who of jazz and pop giants, including Eric Clapton, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, George Benson, Quincy Jones, Charles Mingus, Joni Mitchell, Jaco Pastorius, Paul Simon, Frank Sinatra, McCoy Tyner, Bruce Springsteen, Steely Dan, Pat Metheny, and Frank Zappa. In 1987, he cut his first record as a leader, and his follow-up release Don’t Try This At Home garnered him his first Grammy. Until his death in 2007, he continued to release acclaimed solo albums, worked extensively as a studio musician, reunited with Randy for Brecker Brothers reunions, and so much more. His innumerable accomplishments ensure that this remarkable saxophonist will be forever intertwined with the history of music.

CHRISTIAN SCOTT 8 & 10:30PM

$25 AT TABLE / $15 AT BAR

In the liner notes to Christian aTunde Adjuah, addressed as a “Letter to a Future Artist,” the New Orleans-born, Harlem-based Scott writes, “As an artist, I am always attempting to do things that haven’t been done. This goes beyond simply trying to be adept at something. It requires the ability to revisit past thought processes while considering new landscapes…” In conversation, he adds, “It’s all about the willingness to forge new paths and seek new terrain while excavating one’s own past as a means of gaining a better contextual understanding of that path.”

Edison Award winning trumpetercomposer-producer-bandleader Christian Scott stands tall among a handful of talented young jazz artists who are expanding their artistic vision beyond the strict confines of the genre’s tradition. Throughout his career, Scott has been an intrepid explorer, from his Grammy nominated debut Rewind That to his genre stretching last album Yesterday You Said Tomorrow. Scott ups the ante on his compelling new double album, Christian aTunde Adjuah, an inspired and provocative two-CD, 23-track collection that spans a range of beyond-jazz influences as he continues to make strides into uncharted jazz territory.

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AUGUST 24 - 26

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With Scott’s trumpet at the heart of most of the tunes, the album features reflective ballads, light and dreamy soundscapes, guitar-edged and rockinflected cookers, trumpet ecstasies as well as clarion calls and anguished wails. Scott’s band consists of guitarist Matthew Stevens, drummer Jamire Williams, bassist Kristopher Keith Funn and pianist Lawrence Fields (Fields’ piano sound is often spiced for effect by using paper on the instrument’s strings), with guests including tenor saxophonist Kenneth Whalum III, alto saxophonist Louis Fouche IIII and trombonist Corey King.

Scott describes what he plays on Christian aTunde Adjuah as “stretch music,” much like he introduced on his 2010 album, Yesterday You Said Tomorrow. In his liners, he writes about people calling his approach “stretch,” and notes, “It’s true that we are attempting to stretch—not replace—jazz’s rhythmic, melodic and harmonic conventions to encompass as many musical forms/languages/ cultures as we can. My core belief is that no form of expression is more valid than any other. This belief has compelled me to attempt to create a sound that is genre blind in its acculturation of other musical forms, languages, textures, conventions and processes.”

L a t e N i g h t G r o o v e S ERIE S

MALCOLM PARSON FRIDAY, AUGUST 24

THE STATESMEN

SATURDAY, AUGUST 25 12:30 AM $10

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ternational Music Institute as well as performed as a featured soloist at the 2006 National Black Arts Festival “Classics from the Next Generation” concert in Atlanta, GA. Now a Berklee graduate, he performs throughout the U.S.

A native of New Orleans, LA, Malcolm was born into a musical family and began studying the violin at eight before moving to the cello. He received his first personal violin as a recipient of the Louis Armstrong Foundation Inc. “1997 Golden Horn Award.” Upon relocating to Atlanta, GA in 2000, he was selected to participate in the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra “Talent Development Program.” In 2005 he was Principal Cellist of the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra, attended Interlochen Summer Music Institute, performed with the World Youth Symphony Orchestra, and was a featured soloist for the Atlanta Symphony Community Orchestra. A year later, he attended the Heifetz In-

12:30am $10

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The Statesmen are a band of NYC scene veterans that update the sound of the British Invasion and meld it with classic soul. The dual lead vocal approach of keyboardist Jonah Smith and drummer Josh Dion is reminiscent of Sam and Dave or The Band. On stage they have live-wire energy as they trade verses and sing harmonies. Guitarist Scott Metzger and bassist Ben Rubin, both monster players with long resumes, round out the band. Since their inception, The Statesmen have played shows opening for Los Lobos and have headlined several shows in NYC. Their eponymous debut album, released earlier this year, is being played on influential radio stations like WFUV in New York, and the record is gaining substantial traction in Japan, where it has been featured in Tower Records locations across the country.

SUNDAY BRUNCH SERIES

CHRISTINE VAINDIRLIS SUNDAY, AUGUST 26

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ceived airplay in the US, Europe and South Africa, and on the in-flight World Music play lists on Continental, Copa, Sri Lankan, Caribbean and United Airlines. In 2010, Christine was featured on CNN, NBC’s New York Non-Stop, ESPN and Time Out New York.

Born in London and raised in Johannesburg during apartheid, Christine searched for the first opportunity to pursue her music and find new horizons. At 17 she moved to Milan with a full scholarship to study opera. After attending Berklee, her ambition to experiment with world music drew her to NYC where she produced an album capturing the essence of her dearly missed South Africa. Dance Mama!, an original collection of South African funk-jazz, with three of the tracks reaching the finals and semi-finals of the USA, International (ISC) and UK Songwriting Competitions, has re-

12:30 & 2:30PM $29.50 includes music, brunch & 1 drink

HALF NOTE RECORDS RELEASE

FRANCISCO MELA & CUBAN SAFARI TREE OF LIFE

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On his second release for Half Note, drummer Francisco Mela continues to fuse the rhythmic life force of his homeland Cuba, with the heatseeking energy of modern jazz. He is known as a musician’s favorite - he is a member of Joe Lovano’s band, Us Five - because he boasts a passion and spirit rarely heard among young instrumentalists. Mela’s group is named Cuban Safari, and it features sterling play from pianist Elio Villafranca, saxist Uri Gurvich, guitarist Ben Monder and special guest Esperanza Spalding. Mela’s tender vocal will surprise all.

AVAILABLE UPSTAIRS IN THE BLUE NOTE GIFT SHOP!

REVIVE DA LIVE BIG BAND 8 & 10:30PM

$20 AT TABLE / $10 AT BAR

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MONDAY, AUGUST 27

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If the Revive Da Live Big Band is a “19-piece jazz army” (Complex Magazine), then what is their fight? Formed in 2010, the Big Band began as a “wouldn’t it be cool if…” kind of idea, where composer, arranger and trumpeter, Igmar Thomas wanted to unite generations of like-minded musicians in presenting a new-age of big bands that has now become one of the most exciting and imaginative bands — big or otherwise — in New York. The musical styles, experience, and tastes range widely within the group— but the mission is the same. “We’re carrying on, within the tradition of big bands, what would be relevant today,” Thomas says. “Modifying the message, and making it translatable, accessible to the people, so that they have something relevant to grasp on to. It represents that little bridge.” Their repertoire is an authentic gumbo, featuring original compositions

by Thomas, as well as epic orchestrations of selected productions from different producers, notable hip hop songs combined with the original sampled jazz record, all re-imagined and arranged into original works for a 20 piece big band. “Our voice is one that has a foot deeply placed in the jazz roots and the tradition of that, à la Dizzy Gillespie and Count Basie. But also, another foot deeply invested in 2012, and so on. That’s the direction. Dizzy, Dilla, and us.” Past RDLBB performances include, Tribute to A Tribe Called Quest featuring Jarobi (ATCQ), Buckshot, Dres, DJ Logic and many more, Celebrating the life of legendary MC, G.U.R.U featuring DJ Premier and Roy Hargrove and guests and their first big band performance in 2010 featuring Nicholas Payton and Talib Kweli.

KENNY WERNER QUINTET FEATURING

LIONEL LOUEKE & MIGUEL ZENÓN

AUGUST 28 - SEPTEMBER 2 8 & 10:30PM $35 AT TABLE / $20 AT BAR

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In 2000, Werner formed a new trio with Ari Hoenig on drums and Johannes Weidenmueller on bass. They played together for nearly a decade and released three albums, the last of which, Peace: Live at the Blue Note (2004), began Werner’s fruitful relationship with Half Note Records. In 2010, Werner was honored with the Guggenheim Fellowship Award for his seminal work, No Beginning No End (2010). Released on Half Note, the album is a musical journey exploring tragedy and loss, death and transition, and the path from one lifetime to the next. Among his other recent releases are Institute of Higher Learning with the Brussels Jazz Orchestra (2011) and Me, Myself & I (2012), a live solo piano recording.

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The ‘90s saw Werner begin several outstanding musical partnerships. He continues to play duo with Toots Thielemans, the legendary harmonica player. For 20 years he has played with

and arranged for Broadway legend Betty Buckley. He has also enjoyed a nearly 40-year friendship and musical collaboration with Joe Lovano, with each recording on several of the other’s projects.

Kenny Werner is a world-class pianist and composer. His prolific output of compositions, recordings, and publications continue to impact audiences around the world. Born in Brooklyn in 1951 and growing up on Long Island, Werner began playing and performing at a young age, first recording on television at the age of 11. He formed his own trio in 1981 with drummer Tom Rainey and bassist Ratzo Harris. The trio matured for 14 years, wowing audiences in America and Europe and recording four albums along the way.

In addition to his work as a performer and composer, Werner is a world-class educator. His groundbreaking book on improvisation, Effortless Mastery (2006), is required reading for all aspiring jazz musicians. He also gives lessons and clinics across the U.S. and is currently an Artist-in-Residence at New York University. For several years now, Werner has toured and recorded in a quintet format, releasing Balloons: Live at the Blue Note on Half Note Records just last year. Tonight, he returns to the Blue Note stage in this format, performing with an all-star quintet featuring guitarist Lionel Loueke and saxophonist Miguel Zenon.

L a t e N i g h t G r o o v e S ERIE S

WALTER CHRISTOPHER FRIDAY, AUGUST 31

AZANIA

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

12:30 AM $10

Originally from Sierra Leone, West Africa, multicultural artist Azania was born and raised in the U.S. & Geneva. She has performed throughout Europe and in Asia, has sung in major music festivals such as Montreux, and was invited to perform for the President of Sierra Leone. In Paris, she won first prize in the French T.V. competition Graines de Star, similar to American Idol. During her 12 years of classical training, she also sang in many different types of bands: soul, funk, jazz, disco, electro/house, gospel, and reggae. For her upcoming album, several songs are inspired by the groovy soul and funk era of the 1970s. However, Azania’s compositions evolve from diverse musical influences. Reflecting her warm personality, Azania’s lyrics are often enriched with uplifting and positive messages, and her highly-anticipated debut album will be released in 2012.

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R O O – Vol. 2, came out last year and features the singles “So Amazing,” “There You Go Again,” and “You’re Beautiful.”

One listen to Christopher and you will hear the voice of a legend. A balladeer by choice, he sings and writes with the soul that is missing in today’s music. His third and latest album, It’s All About Love

Few performers are as versatile as singer-songwriter Walter Christopher. A Harlem native affectionately known by his fans as “Walt Chris,” Christopher can slide effortlessly from playing an R&B gig to a sanctified gospel church, all the way to a swinging jazz club. Over the course of his career, he has opened for the likes of Kem, Oleta Adams, En Vogue, Fat Joe, Boys II Men, Keith Sweat, Kenny Lattimore, Allyson Williams, and Mikki Howard.

12:30am $10

NYU SUNDAY BRUNCH SERIES

RANDY JOHNSTON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

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12:30 & 2:30PM $29.50 includes music, brunch & 1 drink

NYU Jazz guitar faculty member from Detroit, Michigan, Randy Johnston moved to Richmond, Virginia when he was thirteen years old. Since arriving in New York in the early 1980s, he has performed and recorded with such jazz notables as Lou Donaldson, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Houston Person, Etta Jones, Lionel Hampton, Brother Jack McDuff, Warne Marsh, Lee Konitz, Joey Defrancesco, Tom Harrell, Irene Reid and Rashid Ali.

As a leader, Randy has released sixth recordings including two CDs for J.Curve Records. Throughout the years, his recordings have featured an impressive array of sidemen including Joey Defrancesco, Kenny Washington, Benny Green, Nick Brignola, Eric Alexander, Idris Muhammad, and the legendary Johnny Griffin.

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HALF NOTE RECORDS NEW RELEASE Striking, bold, organic, and beautiful. Those words describe Maya Azucena’s voice, her music, and her message. On CRY LOVE her impressive talent unfolds over eleven tracks. An anthem for justice, the title track constitutes the album’s core concept. Her desire to inspire and empower listeners saturates the edgy groove of “Warriors” and the sanguine sway of “Near”. “The Half” is a harrowing take propelled by rock icon Vernon Reid. She invited reggae legend and Billboard #1 artist iNi Kamoze aboard on “My Back’s Not Up Against The Wall” while the glistening, acoustic qualities of “Belong To The Sun” furnish another standout cut. The songs are all unified by a remarkable depth and stunning musicality.

AVAILABLE UPSTAIRS IN THE BLUE NOTE GIFT SHOP!

UPCOMING AT THE BLUE NOTE

LIONEL LOUEKE W/ROBERT GLASPER, MARK GIULIANA & DERRICK HODGE

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SEP 4 - 6

NINETY MILES

STEFON HARRIS, DAVID SANCHEZ & NICHOLAS PAYTON

SEP 7 - 9

BRECKER BROTHERS BAND REUNION RANDY BRECKER, MIKE STERN, & MORE

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SEP 11 - 16

STANLEY CLARKE & HIROMI DUO sep 18 - 23

ROY AYERS sep 26 - 30

DESSERTS & PAIRINGS SEASONAL FRUIT & SORBET NEW YORK CHEESECAKE RED VELVET CAKE TIRAMISU CINNAMON APPLE STRUDEL WARM LEMON TARTE CHOCOLATE & VANILLA TARTUFO FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE ICE CREAM SORBET OF THE DAY

12 10 10 10 9 9 10 10 9 8

add add add add add add add add add add

Limoncello Meletti Tia Maria Baileys Grand Marnier Amaretto Lazzaroni Drambuie Frangelico Dow’s 20-year Kahlua Prosecco

DIGESTIFS

Chivas 12 Dewars 11 11 J & B Johnny Walker Red 11 Johnny Walker Black 12 38 Johnny Walker Blue

LIQUEURs

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Amaretto Lazzaroni Aperol Baileys Irish Cream B&B Campari Chambord Cointreau Drambuie Dubbonet Fernet Branca Frangelico Grand Marnier Kahlua Lillet Limoncello Meletti Nocino Walnut Liqueur Pernod Poli Miele Honey Liqueur Sambuca Meletti Tia Maria

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BRANDY & COGNAC

Courvoisier Hennessy VS Hennessy XO Remy Martin VSOP Remy Martin XO Martell VS Martell Cordon Bleu VSOP Navan Vanilla Cognac Tesseron XO – 1990 Avg Poli Grappa Moscato

Glenlivet 12 year 12 Glenfiddich 12 year 12 14 Macallan 12 year 12 Talisker 10 year Glenmorangie 13 14 Oban 14 year 15 Dahlwinnie 15 year Lagavulin 16 year 16 34 Mackillop’s 1989 Scapa Deanston 30 year 40 Scott’s 1967 Glenlivet 58

SINGLE MALT SCOTCH

SCOTCH blends

10 11 10 12 10 10 10 14 10 10

10 10 10 11 10 10 11 10 10 10 10 12 10 10 10 10 10 12 10 11

12 12 36 18 36 12 25 11 15 15

DESSERT WINES

Sherry, Dry Sack Sherry, Harvey’s Bristol Cream Taylor Fladgate Tawny Royal Tokaji Aszu “Red Label” Vidal Gold Icewine, Inniskillin Cab Franc Icewine, Inniskillin

10 10 15 21 20/100 130

BOURBON / Rye Redemption Rye Basil Hayden Booker’s Knob Creek Woodford Reserve Whistle Pig

rum

12 14 14 14 15 16

Beija Cachaca 11 Bacardi Silver 11 Bacardi Gold 11 Brinley Gold Coconut 11 Captain Morgan’s 11 Meyer’s 12 Mount Gay 12 Blackwell 13 El Dorado 15-year 15 Pyrat XO 15

Blue Note Drink Menu MARTINIS $13 Manhattan

HENNESSY SIDECAR

Redemption rye whiskey, Carpano Antico sweet vermouth

Hennessy Cognac with Grand Marnier and fresh lemon juice

Negroni

BLUE NOTE MARTINI

DH Krahn gin, Campari, Carpano Antico sweet vermouth

citrus vodka, blue curocao, lime juice

VESPER

“MANTECA” MARTINI

Tanqueray gin, Chopin Vodka, and Lillet with a lemon twist

Brinley Gold coconut rum, coconutcream & pineapple juice

FRENCH MARTINI

ITALIAN CHOCOLATE MARTINI

Mixed drinks $12

Citrus Vodka, Triple Sec, cranberry & lime juice

METROPOLITAN

Absolut Kurant with Triple Sec, cranberry & lime juice

MARGARITA MARTINI

Sauza Conmemorativo tequila, agave, fresh lime & splash orange juice

BRANDY ALEXANDER

BELLINI

ELDERFLOWER FIZZ

COSMOPOLITAN

Meletti Chocolate Liquer Stolivanilla vodka

Ketel One & apple schnapps

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Grey Goose vodka, Chambord & pineapple juice

APPLE MARTINI

Prosecco & white peach puree

Brandy, crème de cacao & cream

PCPUNCH

CUBA LIBRE

RUBY RYE

Grey Goose pear vodka, Brinley coconut rum, pineapple juice

Blackwell rum, Coke & freshly muddled lime

MAI TAI

TOASTED ALMOND

Redemption rye whiskey, grapefruit juice, Chambord

caipirinha

Irish whiskey & coffee

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NUTTY IRISHMAN

BRAVE BULL

SPANISH COFFEE

Tequila, Kahlua & coffee

Tia Maria & coffee

SWISS COFFEE

Moca Almond

IRISH COFFEE

Amaretto, coffee liqueur & cream

Bacardi light rum, Meyers dark rum, almond liqueur, Triple Sec, Pineapple juice, splash sour mix

Muddled limes, sugar and Beija Brazilian cachaca

warm drinks $10

DH Krahn gin, elderflower liqueur, fresh lemon

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Bailey’s Irish Cream, Frangelico & coffee

Meletti chocolate liquer amaretto, coffee

Peppermint Schnapps, crème de cacao & coffee

beer and teas IMPORTED - $8

Sapporo, Amstel Light, Corona, Heineken, Guinness, Stella Artois, Bass Ale

BELGIAN-STYLE ALE - $14 Brother Thelonious Abbey Ale (750 ml)

REPUBLIC OF TEA ICED TEAS - $7 Pomegranate Green Iced Tea Republic Darjeeling Black Iced Tea Ginger Peach Decaf Black Iced Tea

NON-ALCOHOLIC - $6 AVAILABLE BLUE NOTE GIFT SHOP! Buckler DOMESTIC - $8UPSTAIRS IN THE Brooklyn Lager, Budweiser, Bud Light

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