Cory Weeds had the Jazz Cellar on Broadway for years, and is still organizing concerts and the annual New York with Weeds. http://newyorkwithweeds.com
The New York jazz tour program was amazing. See details at bottom of post.
Logistics
Read all about the logistics of flying to the US without your passport under my post on Palm Springs.
Email I sent re the Quickshuttle to Seattle: "Enjoy is not a word I would use. The driver was same as last time. Last time he was horrible martinet, giving confusing instructions or none and then yelling at everybody when they did things wrong. He was rude to everybody. This time he was overly familiar and trying to look good, but it came across creepy. Everybody ignores him and doesn't make eye contact or respond to what he says. If you ask a question, it is the last time you do. Quite an adventure. The WIFI on the bus is excruciatingly slow or doesn't work at all (last trip too) it is impossible to use, so I just slept."
Emails I sent re airline: "Hi, still in Seattle. I upgraded online to get an aisle seat ($88) but apparently the computer gave me a middle seat. There were only middle seats available before and after 1 pm, so I clicked on an aisle seat, paid for it, but the seat number they gave me is a middle seat anyway. I guess I just don't get all the little tricks these airlines have. You can't tell after you pay because you can't see the seat plan at that point.
Anyway, I will survive. " Comment: I was charged for the aisle seat upgrade on the return flight. I think I already had an aisle seat and just got a better one (2 more inches), but who knows.
"I enquired and apparently you can't choose a seat or even upgrade and pay if you bought your ticket with points or through a third party. Good to know these things I guess, but next time it will be another thing. The online systems are unclear."
Packing
As stated in other places, I am taking only carry-on now.
The perfect New York wardrobe for March included a long wool winter coat, large shawl, 2 pairs of gloves (leather, shearling), headband, and a folding pop-up umbrella with curved handle. Jeans, nicer pants, cashmere sweaters to layer, all sorts of tops, a few scarves and necklaces to dress it up.
Next time -- UGG ear muffs (already bought them). Leggings/skinny jeans. Cute winter beret like Katie Malloch had.
Of course, Keen brown suede leather walking shoes for putting on miles --- it's all walking walking walking.
Luggage -- Briggs & Riley 20-inch widebody, Longchamp tote bag, Longchamp small tote/purse.
The Hotel
The Kitano was luxurious, very Japanese (all Japanese staff, toilet with many buttons/levers/switches, positions/temperatures/humidity options), and in a great location at Park and 38th. www.kitano.com
On the subject of sharing rooms. I shared a room with someone I hadn't met before. I've had such good luck with being paired with roommates before but this time our habits were too different. Not a disaster, but not a good fit.
Stuff I Did
I went to the Met and the MOMA, also a new place called The Morgan Library www.themorgan.org/ The most stunning fact about the place was that the long-time librarian turned out to be passing as white and no one figured it out until she died.
One morning I walked the High Line, an old elevated railroad turned into a walking path/garden. www.thehighline.org/
Email I sent: "New York so far -- one hottish lovely sunny day, lunch outside in LIttle Italy, fabulous Jazz piano trioprogram in the early evening, followed by another fabulous jazz concert at Jazz at the Lincoln Centre. Today, very cold wind. I walked the High Line, a former elevated rail line, turned into a garden, all brown at the moment, and then browsed around Chelsea and Meat Packing district.
Tonight is the American Legion --- another NY adventure into places I've never been."
A lot of meals were included. By far the best meals were the BBQ cooked by Vincent Herring at his house in Brooklyn with dinner at the American Legion on par.
I had lunch in Chelsea, Little Italy, and other spots while walking around.
There are a number of delis near the hotel and a fabulous market in Grand Central 2 blocks away. Also, a Starbucks within a block.
The best coffee/bakery/cafe chain by a big margin is the Le Pain Quotidien. Bestcoffeetoo. www.lepainquotidien.com
The best deli for fresh fruit and everything else was Essen http://www.yelp.ca/biz/essen-slow-fast-food-new-york
The Budget
Estimate Actual
| Package Tour | $2,715.00 | $2,715.00 |
| Airfare Delta used its | $400.00 | $131.00 |
| Taxi to & from shuttle | $36.00 | $35.00 |
| Shuttle to & from Seatac | $100.00 | $94.00 |
| Food & admissions | $350.00 | $700.00 |
| Shopping - top and scarf from Anthropologie, books | ||
| Taxi to & from JFK | $120.00 | $150.00 |
| Extra night $295 US x 1/2 | $150.00 | $174.53 |
| Total | $3,871.00 | $3,999.53 |
The Program
NEW YORK WITH WEEDS 2014 ITINERARY
Saturday, March 15th
KITANO HOTEL
66 Park Ave
Event: George Cables Trio
Included: show, dinner, tax and tip
ALLEN ROOM at JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER
3 Columbus Circle
Event: Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra
Included: show
Sunday, March 16th
THE AMERICAN LEGION HALL
248 W 132nd St
Event: Seleno Clark and The Harlem Groove
Included: show, dinner, tax and tip
Monday, March 17th
ACAPPELLA RESTAURANT
1 Hudson Street
Event: Dinner and talk by veteran jazz producer Michael Cuscana
Included: 2 course meal, open bar (beer and wine, from 3:30 5:30)
Saturday, March 15th
KITANO HOTEL
66 Park Ave
Event: George Cables Trio
Included: show, dinner, tax and tip
ALLEN ROOM at JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER
3 Columbus Circle
Event: Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra
Included: show
Sunday, March 16th
THE AMERICAN LEGION HALL
248 W 132nd St
Event: Seleno Clark and The Harlem Groove
Included: show, dinner, tax and tip
Monday, March 17th
ACAPPELLA RESTAURANT
1 Hudson Street
Event: Dinner and talk by veteran jazz producer Michael Cuscana
Included: 2 course meal, open bar (beer and wine, from 3:30 5:30)
Tuesday, March 18th
KLAVIERHAUS
211 West 58th St # A
Event: Live recording with Vancouver saxophonist Steve Kaldestad featuring Renee Rosnes piano, Peter Washington bass and Lewis Nash drums Included: concert and post show meal including tax and tip (see below
*we will then head for a meal from 4:30 to 7:00 at THE CARNEGIE DELI *and will head back for a live recording with The John Webber Quartet
Wednesday, March 19th
JAZZ RECORD CENTER *optional activity
236 West 26 Street, #804 (between 7th & 8th Avenues)
Event: shopping for books, records, cds, tshirts and all things jazz
SMOKE JAZZ CLUB
2751 Broadway
Event: Cory Weeds Quintet featuring Steve Davis CD RELEASE
Included: two course dinner, show, tax and tip
Thursday, March 20th
SMALL’S JAZZ CLUB
183 W. 10th St.
Event: The Joshua Bruneau Quintet live recording * the first set is private
Included: show, one drink, tax and tip
KLAVIERHAUS
211 West 58th St # A
Event: Live recording with Vancouver saxophonist Steve Kaldestad featuring Renee Rosnes piano, Peter Washington bass and Lewis Nash drums Included: concert and post show meal including tax and tip (see below
*we will then head for a meal from 4:30 to 7:00 at THE CARNEGIE DELI *and will head back for a live recording with The John Webber Quartet
Wednesday, March 19th
JAZZ RECORD CENTER *optional activity
236 West 26 Street, #804 (between 7th & 8th Avenues)
Event: shopping for books, records, cds, tshirts and all things jazz
SMOKE JAZZ CLUB
2751 Broadway
Event: Cory Weeds Quintet featuring Steve Davis CD RELEASE
Included: two course dinner, show, tax and tip
Thursday, March 20th
SMALL’S JAZZ CLUB
183 W. 10th St.
Event: The Joshua Bruneau Quintet live recording * the first set is private
Included: show, one drink, tax and tip
Friday, March 21st
VINCENT HERRING’S HOUSE
803 East 17th Street, Brooklyn
Event: The Vincent Herring Quintet featuring legendary drummer JIMMY COBB, Ronnie Cuber baritone sax, Vincent Herring alto sax, David Williams bass and Mike LeDonne piano
Included: bbq lunch, beer, wine, show
5th Estate
506 5th Ave, Brooklyn
Event: The Seamus Blake Quartet
Included: show
Saturday, March 22nd
KATHLEEN’S TEA ROOM 979 Main St, Peekskill, NY
Event: THE ALEXIS COLE TRIO
Included: brunch, show, tax and tip
VINCENT HERRING’S HOUSE
803 East 17th Street, Brooklyn
Event: The Vincent Herring Quintet featuring legendary drummer JIMMY COBB, Ronnie Cuber baritone sax, Vincent Herring alto sax, David Williams bass and Mike LeDonne piano
Included: bbq lunch, beer, wine, show
5th Estate
506 5th Ave, Brooklyn
Event: The Seamus Blake Quartet
Included: show
Saturday, March 22nd
KATHLEEN’S TEA ROOM 979 Main St, Peekskill, NY
Event: THE ALEXIS COLE TRIO
Included: brunch, show, tax and tip
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