Live Jazz in Columbia (live in, restaurant, move to)

[ariella cohen]

Checked out the Free Times to learn about some of the local venues, but I wanted to know firsthand about the kinds of crowds that come. Are they serious listeners or is the band just providing "background" music?
(don't tell me to check them out myself 'cause I don't live in Columbia yet)
Also, if there are any jazz musicians on this board, I'd love to hear from you. DH is a guitarist, and we're considering a move to Columbia, but he needs to know more about the scene.

[TXGamecock]

Originally Posted by ariella cohen

Checked out the Free Times to learn about some of the local venues, but I wanted to know firsthand about the kinds of crowds that come. Are they serious listeners or is the band just providing "background" music?
(don't tell me to check them out myself 'cause I don't live in Columbia yet)
Also, if there are any jazz musicians on this board, I'd love to hear from you. DH is a guitarist, and we're considering a move to Columbia, but he needs to know more about the scene.

I know the Tony Lee Group https://www.facebook.com/TonyLeeGroup is a regular at Speakeasy at 5 points, and there is a regular Jazz night at Hunter-Gatherer.

I'd say the times I've been to both venues, it's been a mix between "background" and "serious". I think you'll see both types of folks, depending on the time of night. However, since both locations are more bar/restaurant than dedicated listening room, it will skew to the casual side.

[lady-a]

Like the above user I usually go to Speakeasy in 5 points for the Jazz music. There's a bunch of couches and chairs around the band and that's usually reserved for "serious" listeners. The bar is usually crowded for the other people that aren't interested in listening. It's a combo