First up this week is news about jazz destinations on the east side of Columbus. Popular bar and live music hub Maria’s Lounge has merged with, and moved operations to, its sister venue, the Idle-A-While Bar at 6068 Channingway Boulevard. The Idle-A-While has two stages, allowing for simultaneous weekend showcases of the best jazz, R&B, blues and more in town. So the strong October jazz schedule at Maria’s has moved to Idle-A-While for great combo entertainment for your weekend evenings, with no cover! Check them out this weekend: Latin jazz mainstays Clave Sonic play on Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 9pm features both R&B/jazz groovers Hosea’s State of Mind and the smooth jazz configuration of Epic Heightz, a new project of drummer Andre Scott (fo/mo/deep, Keeping HOPE Alive), and 7pm Sunday sees both the modern jazz of the Alex Schrock Trio and the smooth jazz of Otis Davenport’s Positive Energy getting started. Enjoy great food, drinks, and jazz at the Idle-A-While!
Shows To See This Week
Friday, October 21st (7 – 9pm): Vegan Soul Jazz: E-Flat featuring vocalist Janeen Holmes at Long Street Studios, 300 E. Long. Top tier Columbus smooth jazz band E-Flat is providing the sounds for a great night of vegan soul food and live jazz. Local vegan food purveyors Willowbeez SoulVeg have crafted a special menu for the event. Talented vocalist Holmes will join the band for the evening, and their lineup will also include an appearance by drummer TJ Glover. Tickets are only $20 (including dinner) for this special event, get them here.
Monday, October 24th (9pm – midnight): Tony Monaco Trio at Woodlands Tavern. Organ hero Monaco recently returned from a tour of Japan and Korea and is getting back in the Columbus swing in time for a busy weekend. Sandwiched between a Friday night appearance by his new quartet at Bungalow Jazz (recent insight from Aaron Scott here) and a return to Tuesday nights at Rumba Cafe is this revival of his monthly “Monday Funday” gig at Woodlands after a month off. Joined by longtime collaborators guitarist Derek DiCenzo and drummer Louis Tsamous, this free show will help make sure your week is on the right track.
Tuesday, October 25th (8 – 10pm): Moutin Factory Quintet at Notes. This group of French jazz luminaries is stopping through town on their US tour promoting brand new album Deep. Led by brothers François Moutin (upright bass) and Louis Moutin (drums), their lineup also includes Manu Codjia on guitar, Jean-Michel Pilc on piano, and Christophe Monniot on alto and sopranino saxophones. Various tickets and packages are available here for this concert – don’t miss your chance to see an intimate performance by these international stars. Doors open at 7pm.
Have a great week! Check out the Moutin band in action: