The Cabana Room: a new jazz hot spot

When the Concourse Bar dropped live music the managers of the Cabana Room must have seen an opening and decided to go for it. Since the beginning of the year the Cabana Room on the lower level of Sambas Restaurant has quietly turned into a Madison jazz hot spot. I say quietly because jazz has been added Wednesday through Saturday evenings with barely a word of promotion.

The New Breed Jazz Jam session on Wednesday nights is the one exception. Their gig is listed on the Crazeology Calendar and at the Isthmus guide. And if you follow this site you know I’ve talked it up a lot, and with good reason. Last week the jam was one big party. The room was full, and the audience attentive but animated, enthusiastically cheering on the jammers. It was fun and I hope it lasts; the Cabana Room is a great venue for the jam.

Music at Hilton Scaled Back

I just became aware that in October the Madison Hilton Hotel removed it’s piano. I’ve been told that music is no longer regularly scheduled, but will be booked if hotel occupancy is high enough. The Hilton Hotel opened in 2001 shortly after the Monona Terrace was built. It had scheduled piano jazz several times weekly, and occasional small groups and jam sessions.

The Brink Lounge

Last night I met some friends at the Brink Lounge.  We had been out of touch for a few years and it was time to catch up. Besides, the Madison Jazz Orchestra was playing so why not combine socializing with some first rate big band jazz?  Unfortunately, I only caught 2 songs by the MJO before we moved to a quieter area to talk. Those 2 songs have whet my appetite for more; the band sounded great and the acoustics were really good. I’ll definitely catch them again and record those impressions here, but for now let’s talk about the Brink.

Happy Birthday, Mary (Magnus Review)

Tomorrow night I’m headed to Restaurant Magnus, it’s my wife’s birthday. We go to Magnus for all her birthdays, our wedding anniversarys, and my birthdays too. We go there when we don’t have anything to celebrate. Madison has lots of good restaurants to check out but we always end up coming back to Magnus. How can you beat great food, atmosphere, and live jazz?

Jazz at Capitol Lakes

One of the more unusual jazz venues in Madison is the Grand Hall just inside Capitol Lakes on 333 W. Main Street. Over the past year the Madison Music Collective (MMC) has been sponsoring concerts inside this spacious room by a variety of MMC members and outside guests. The venue is unusual because Capitol Lakes is a retirement community, and the MMC is a strong proponent of creative, improvised music – sometimes known as free jazz. These are some hip seniors!

 

Capitol Lakes is easy to find. I attended several events this last year and parked in their parking structure directly across the street. I’m not sure if this can be counted on, but there wasn’t an attendant so parking was free. The Grand Hall is located just inside the doors on Main Street.  

 

Capitol Lakes includes independent living, assisted living, and a full nursing home. The Grand Hall is in the independent living part of the building – it does not look or smell medical. The room is large with high ceilings, wood floors, and wainscoted paneled walls creating pleasing acoustics. You will think you are in a well appointed hotel hall, except that much of the audience is elderly. In exchange for free use of the room MMC has agreed to reserve a certain portion of the seats for Capitol Lakes residents. The rest of us have to pay, although if you are a MMC member ($20 to join) you’ll get a few dollars off the admission rate.

 

The MMC likes this venue because of its concert setting. There are no blenders, loud conversations, or other distractions. Wine and cheese are available by donation, but the focus is on maintaining a respectful setting rather than selling alcohol.The audience actually listens…..unless the music gets too adventuresome.

The MMC says in it’s mission statement that it aims to present improvised music music without compromising artistic integrity or creativity. If you are expecting the music to match the sedateness of it’s surroundings you might be surprised. The musicians have been top caliber (Dave Stoler, Paul Hastil, Jane Reynolds, et al), and much of the music is readily accessible to the serious listener, but expect some curve balls too. I didn’t attend the concert by Joanne Pow!ers (of State Street busking fame), but I can bet her performance roused a few sleepy souls.

There are few jazz venues left, and fewer yet with good acoustics, attentive audiences, and the freedom to perform without commercial considerations. Capitol Lakes is the only area venue like this. Kudos to their management and residents for being open to this, and to the MMC for making it happen.

This Thursday at 7:30 the MMC presents, “The Active Percussion Duo,” featuring Geoff Brady & Michael Brenneis. For more information go to the MMC website:  http://www.mmcmusic.org/