Paris has always embraced and celebrated jazz. Starting after World War I, jazz musicians flocked to Paris to play this new, unique sound unfamiliar to the French. Post-World War II, Paris welcomed a new wave of American jazz artists including Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Dizzy Gillespie, Chet Baker and Charlie Parker, who played in the smoke-filled basement clubs of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Today, Paris is still a haven for jazz musicians, and many of them have more success in Europe than they do in the U.S.
Here's a list of our favorite jazz clubs in Paris.
Le Duc des Lombards
One of the most respected and popular jazz clubs in Paris is Le Duc des Lombards. Starting off as Bar d’Etoile, a tiny piano bar 40 years ago, it morphed into an elegant club with great acoustics. Le Duc des Lombards hosts musicians from around the globe and totals over 300 performances a year. Performers for March and April include vocalist Kandace Springs, The Jazz Defenders, Matthis Pascaud and Hugh Coltman from New Orleans, and the Rolando Luna Trio from Cuba.
An extensive wine, beer and cocktail menu is offered along with charcuterie and cheese boards.
Visit www.ducdeslombards.com.
La Petite Halle
Located in the La Villette music center, which includes the Philharmonie concert hall, the Zenith music hall, the Trabendo and Cabaret Sauvage, the jazz venue La Petite Hall presents two to three concerts every week. Musical acts playing in March include the Candela Collective, Margot and Max Chuwanga and Guilham Flouzat.
It’s set up more like a restaurant with a full food menu, including a dozen selections of pizza made in a wood-burning oven, fish and chips, pasta and burgers—and on Sunday there’s an all-you-can-eat buffet for €32 per person.
Visit www.lapetitehalle.com.
New Morning
For over 40 years, the New Morning Club, the premiere jazz venue in Paris, has welcomed some of the most legendary names in jazz, including Nina Simone, Art Blakey, Betty Carter, Lionel Hampton, Stan Getz, Dexter Gordon and Max Roach. Today, the New Morning continues to attract some of the biggest names in jazz and the March and April: Sappho, Raphael Pannier, Brandee Younger, Jembaa Groove and Shakura S’Aida will be performing.
7/9 rue des Petites Ecuries, 75010
https://www.newmorning.com/programmation
Sunset & Sunside
Sunset & Sunside is the only jazz club in Paris with two separate rooms for performances. The Sunset room plays host to electric and electro-jazz and world music, while the Sunside room exclusively has acoustic jazz.
Formerly a restaurant, in 1983 several musicians who were regulars, requested that it be converted into a jazz club because the vaulted ceilings and acoustics were perfect for playing music. One of the specialties of Sunset & Sunside is the organization of tribute concerts honoring former jazz legends. In the spring 2024 season, there are tributes to Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and John Coltrane. Admission is free.
Visit www.sunset-sunside.com.
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