From the September 2004 Issue of All About Jazz-New York...
For those of us who believe that there are never enough jazz spots in New York City - and who doesn't - we have one more to add to the list. While a few jazz names have appeared at Triad (and the former Dark Star on the main level) including Stanley Jordan, Ravi Coltrane and George Benson, it appears that 2004 marks an earnest effort to turn Triad into a legitimate jazz spot without giving up its various other monikers. During the past decade, Triad (located at 158 West 72nd Street between Broadway and Columbus Avenues) has long been known for its off-Broadway shows, including the very successful Forever Plaid, Forbidden Broadway and Secrets Every Smart Traveler Should Know. Various cabaret and theatrical
performers have also been known to frequent the stage. The performing space has even seen the likes of pop/rock/folk artists such as Paula Cole, Joan Osborne, David Crosby and Greg Allman. However, up until this year no one has called Triad a “jazz club”. It seems that Triad is on the road to becoming a
reliable choice to hear some jazz on a regular basis.
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From the September 2004 Issue of All About Jazz-New York...
For those of us who believe that there are never enough jazz spots in New York City - and who doesn't - we have one more to add to the list. While a few jazz names have appeared at Triad (and the former Dark Star on the main level) including Stanley Jordan, Ravi Coltrane and George Benson, it appears that 2004 marks an earnest effort to turn Triad into a legitimate jazz spot without giving up its various other monikers. During the past decade, Triad (located at 158 West 72nd Street between Broadway and Columbus Avenues) has long been known for its off-Broadway shows, including the very successful Forever Plaid, Forbidden Broadway and Secrets Every Smart Traveler Should Know. Various cabaret and theatrical
performers have also been known to frequent the stage. The performing space has even seen the likes of pop/rock/folk artists such as Paula Cole, Joan Osborne, David Crosby and Greg Allman. However, up until this year no one has called Triad a “jazz club”. It seems that Triad is on the road to becoming a
reliable choice to hear some jazz on a regular basis.
”We do like an eclectic mix,” says Triad manager Peter Martin. While jazz performers can be found there on any given night of the week, there is currently only one evening that you can count on hearing the music at a specific time. “Jazz Gone Wild”, as it is called, kicks off every Wednesday evening at 10 pm. Guitarist Vinny Valentino leads this new house band which also features drummer Joel Rosenbaltt of Spyro Gyra fame. Grammy winning bass player John Benitez and
vocalist Frank Bray complete this quartet that sounds off into a true jam session. “There may be more
opportunities for scheduled jazz events,” Peter Martin went on to say.
A combination of classic, smooth, modern and fusion fill the bill on other nights. These artists are for the most part new on the scene. Acts like Culture Domain, the Nate Smith Quartet, Less Deluxe and The Led Zepplin Big Band. However, the most notable change seems to be the arrival of jazz vocalists at Triad. The man who once sang with jazz icons Charlie Parker and Charles Mingus - the late vocal great Jackie Paris - christened the club as a home for jazz vocalists on January 6th with a house filled to capacity. The staff had to turn patrons away at the door. Since then the one and only Mark Murphy and Giacomo Gates have performed, as well as Jay Clayton. Many of the
vocalists that are appearing at Triad are being booked by Melodie Breyer-Grell, who helped turn the now defunct Chez Suzzette into a vocal scene. “We are starting to head in the right direction,” says Breyer-Grell. “I feel Triad is one of the great listening rooms in the city [They recently installed a state of the art Mackie Sound System]. The bar is behind glass doors, you will hear no mixers going, no glasses clinking and no phones ringing. It is an intimate, but spacious room.”
The second floor space that the “club” houses is in a black motif with cocktail style table and chairs that are located on several tiers. It also has a mezzanine which seats 36 people. It boasts a full stage, a dressing room and its very own grand piano. And while Triad will continue to feature instrumental jazz music, Breyer-Grell would like to get a vocal jazz program started. An upcoming live recording by Sheila Jordan on Nov. 17th-18th should help cement her desired
reputation for the club. In the meantime, September will bring pianist Mamiko Watanabe (Sept. 3rd), The Art Lillard Big Band (Sept. 7th), The Jeff Franzel Quartet (Sept. 9th), vocalist Dee Daniels (Sept. 10th), Bill Stevens' Quintet (Sept. 15th), vocal duo Hillary Gardner & Dee Cassella (Sept. 20th), singer Rose Andrez (Sept. 25th) and a special program entitled Scat Jazz for Kids on Sunday, Sept. 12th at 2 pm.
~ Michael Anthony
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