All that jazz

Jazz Bistro in Fort Lauderdale

Jazz – the hip cats say you either get it, or you don’t. If you get it, you’ll get it good in the Sunshine State.

Popular jazz can trace its roots back to the Chitlin Circuit in the 1800s. While segregation kept African-American entertainers from performing in public theaters to white audiences, these performers found a home in smaller venues throughout the southern states. This chain of establishments became known as the Chitlin Circuit, named after a popular menu item often served during the shows. A number of well-known musicians, including Ray Charles, B.B. King, Louis Armstrong and Bo Didley, performed on the Chitlin Circuit. Their contributions continue to influence music today.

So no matter how you take your jazz, by the pool or strictly by the rules, from South Beach to Sanibel, Florida’s jazz scene offers something for every aficionado.

Ellington’s Jazz Bar & Restaurant, Sanibel Island (239-472-0494, www.ellingtonsjazz.com)

The name says it all – this joint is about the jazz. Regulars caution newcomers to beware of spontaneous jazz jams. Jazz artists, including smooth jazz favorite Mindi Abair, have been known to sit in on an impromptu jam session or two at Ellington’s. If more traditional jazz is your bag hang around after a helping of the Duke’s Duck, Scattin’ Scallops or Pasta a la Brubeck for the stylings of the Brubeck Brothers Quartet – offering it up traditional and original, and even borrowing a few tunes from dear old dad, the legendary Dave Brubeck. And don’t be surprised if the familiar face sitting at the “Take Five” pool bar on the beach turns out to be none other than the man himself, frequent Sanibel visitor Dave Brubeck.

Upstairs at the Van Dyke, South Beach (305-534-3600, www.donwilner.com)

Intimate and reminiscent of a 60s Greenwich Village jazz club, the Van Dyke offers jazz seven nights a week and bills itself as a “straight ahead jazz club.” Named by Miamians as the “Best Place for Live Jazz” several years running, the club earned its reputation by showcasing some of the biggest names in the jazz world. Here, the jazz is served straight, no chaser, by the likes of Ray Charles protégé and sax man extraordinaire David “Fathead” Newman, accompanied by John Hicks on piano. Come early – the café only seats 60 – 70 patrons – to catch James Moody wailing about that crazy little thing called love on his signature “Moody’s Mood for Love.” Sunday nights bossa nova and samba are added to the mix for those partial to a little Brazilian flavor with their jazz.

Hickory House, Stock Island in the Florida Keys ( 305-292-2211, www.hickoryhousekeywest.com)

Next time you’re in the Keys bop on over to the historic Hickory House on Stock Island for some cool jazz served up slow and easy, indoors or al fresco. Dine indoors and hear the tale of how the bar floated to Florida from the Bahamas in the 1940s. These days, Ella, Miles and other architects of jazz grace the walls, and set the stage for jazz at its best, delivered by the finest homegrown and imported talent from New York, New Orleans and other jazz meccas.

Doc’s Restaurant, Orlando (407-839-3627, www.docsrestaurant.com)

Doc’s is the place Mickey and Minnie go to unwind after a hectic day at the park. The locals will tell you that all roads lead to Doc’s on Thursday and Friday nights for jazz in the Martini Bar. Saturday, bring that special someone for Jazz under the stars.

Jazziz Bistro, Ft. Lauderdale ( 954-583-8335, www.jazzizbistro.com)

Located in Seminole Paradise at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Jazziz is jazz. Contemporary, smooth, traditional, reggae and Latin – it’s all here. The supper club features live jazz nightly and national recording artists once a month. Some of today’s hottest smooth jazz artists, including the Rippingtons, Spyro Gyra, David Benoit and Gato Barbieri, have performed in the club’s Art Deco-inspired setting.

Simons Wine Bar & Jazz Club – Jacksonville (904-396-8088)

Downtown Jacksonville is jumpin’ with Jazz Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, and that ain’t no jive. Modern and intimate, Simons Wine Bar & Jazz Club is a chameleon – sometimes it’s a piano bar, sometimes it’s home to a Jazz quartet, sometimes it’s the place where the Jazz is delivered by a full-out band. And if all that Jazz makes you hungry, Simons’ menu offers everything from A-to-T, Ahi to tapas, with lots of tasty stuff in-between. On Wednesdays during the winter season, Simons offers wine tasting in the wine cellar.

By Pat McKanic

Courtesy of VISITFLORIDA.com