The Venice
of the North is no doubt a special place on the jazz map of the world. Below is
our selection of a couple of local venues to visit, drawn up to show you that
even a short stay in Amsterdam is enough to get a quality experience of live
trumpets, drums, keys, bass, and all that jazz…
Bimhuis (Piet Heinkade 3, www)
Bimhuis was
opened in 2005 and since that time has been regarded as one of the major venues
for top jazz and improvisation acts – not only on a local, but also on a
continental scale! To put in a nutshell, Bimhuis reinforces the position of
Amsterdam as one of the main centres of jazz in Europe – after all, it is the
‘founding member’ of the Europe Jazz Network. With over 150 events per year,
and a privileged location inside the state-of-the-art music complex of
Muziekgebouw, it is a must-visit for any jazz fan.
Jazz Café
Alto (Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 115, www)
2013’s
winner of TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence, Jazz Café Alto brings you
live music in a cosy, romantic setting seven days a week. Although jazz is the
dominant type to be played and listened to, blues and similar genres are also
very welcome. It is located in the area of the lively Leidseplein, so you are
bound to appreciate the variety of options of entertainment you will find in
the vicinity. As for the main course, i.e. the artists that appeared on the
local stage, the club’s 60 years of activity are full of big names, including
e.g. Hans Dulfer (yes, Candy Dulfer’s father) performing on Wednesdays. The
entry is free, though you better head there a bit earlier to get a table closer
to the stage.
Cotton Club
(Nieuwmarkt 5 H, www
)
Compared to
the world-renowned Harlem nightclub in New York, the Dutch Cotton Club is, in
fact, no less of a legend. It’s very easy to find – it’s located along the
eastern line of buildings surrounding the landmark ‘Waag’. Focusing on the
Dutch jazz scene, the club delivers live performances every Saturday, and the atmosphere
is always vibrant and merry – just like in the 30s of the past century, when
the place started to operate. This really is a spot with a strong local
tradition, so if you want to get some top-notch Dutch jazz, you now know where
to go.
Café Casablanca (Zeedijk 24, their website in Dutch only)
This is a
very unusual place, as although it started in 1945 and has grown to be one of
the best-recognized jazz clubs in Amsterdam, its ‘area of operation’ has
changed over time a bit. Today it is chic restaurant on a daily basis, a
karaoke bar on Thursdays and Weekends, but from Sunday to Thursday you still
get to listen to some of the most amazing jazz there is! And all that served in
a dreamlike setting of a circus! Why so? Because next to Casablanca Music there
is also Casablanca Variété – a circus-themed café open for all European circus
artists. Sounds a bit odd? Well, in fact, it is odd – but in the most positive
sense of this word. It’s all wild, fun and classy – just like jazz, actually.
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