Where to See Live Jazz in Rhode Island
Local bars highlight live music acts from jazz bands and performers like Leland Baker and Friends, Paper Moon Jazz Band and Becky Bass.
Leland Baker, Marcus Grant and Friends at Courtland Club.
Soak up some culture in the form of live jazz at several bars around town. Musicians like Leland Baker and friends and Marcus Grant, Paper Moon Jazz Band and others perform certain nights of the week to the tunes of saxophones, trumpets, bass, cello, drums and more to help you get your groove on. Sometimes soulful vocalists like Becky Bass get in on the jazz action too.
Courtland Club
Courtland Club is a discreet cocktail bar on a nondescript street in Providence that highlights live jazz on Sundays starting with seatings at 5 p.m. Jazz begins at 6 p.m. with another show at 8 p.m. Rhode Island Monthly named Courtland Club a Best of Rhode Island award winner for live jazz in 2023. The jazz lineup changes each week, and they have a full food menu available from Nikhil Navish Naiker of Nimki. Reservations are recommended as the event gets fully booked every week. Deposit required with reservations. Twenty-one-plus for 8 p.m. show. Food and beverage minimum required. 51 Courtland St., Providence, 401-227-9300, courtlandclub.com
The Royal Bobcat
The sweet little New Orleans-inspired watering hole features live jazz on Wednesdays from 7 p.m. to midnight and on Saturdays from 8 to 11 p.m. Bands like the Paper Moon Jazz Band and Buttonwood Brass have been known to take the floor while guests sip boozy drinks like Hurricanes, Sazeracs and a Royal Hawaiian, along with house cocktails, wine and beer. The kitchen dishes out a Southern-style food menu from Sadie’s on the Bayou. Plates include New Orleans-style po’ boy sandwiches including beef or blackened shrimp, a vegan muffaletta, Cajun gumbo, Sadie’s red beans and rice and more. No cover. Tips appreciated. 422 Atwells Ave., Providence, 401-537-7777, theroyalbobcat.com
The Red Door
Monday is jazz night at The Red Door when Joe Potenza and Friends or Deborah Paiva and Friends take the floor from 7-10 p.m. The Red Door’s previous life was Thee Red Fez, and the current iteration of the bar pays tribute in many small ways from the poutine to the tots and the mac and cheese. The upstairs drink menu serves up a great espresso martini made with Rhodium coffee walnut vodka. No cover. Tips appreciated. 49 Peck St., Providence, reddoorpvd.com
The District
The District in Providence’s Jewelry District has stepped up to spotlight local live jazz acts on Thursday nights. The District’s owner, Jennifer Freitas, recently purchased the Blue Room in Pawtuxet Village, which was previously home to live jazz, but it’s currently closed for renovations. The District is known for its pizza and comfort food menu, but now it’s also a hidden gem for live music (allow us to blow up its spot), as many people walking out of nearby Nick-a-Nee’s can hear live jazz spilling out of the building and wander in to find the best kept soulful secret in town. We’ve heard the likes of Leland Baker and Friends and the outstanding Becky Bass to name a few. No cover. Tips appreciated. 54 South St., Providence, thedistrictri.com
Borealis Coffee in Bristol
Borealis has occasional live jazz and lots of other musical acts from different genres at its Bristol coffee bar (now with a liquor license to go along with its excellent roasted coffee, so you know those espresso martinis are going to be good!). On Friday, December 20 they are welcoming the smooth and soulful sounds of Wood Street Jazz from 7-9 p.m. The band mixes a little blues, jazz and funk into performances. While you listen to the music, sip Borealis’ specialty coffee drinks and craft cocktails, or nibble on housemade desserts. No cover. Tips appreciated. 500 Wood St., Unit 113, Bristol, 401-396-5193, borealiscoffee.com
Marcelino’s
For the last three years, this swanky cocktail bar has hosted live jazz every Thursday starting at 8 p.m. Grab a seat at the bar or pull up to a cozy table or booth (with a reservation), and absorb the vibes over beverages like the unique tomato cocktail (gin, Dolin Blanc, Verjus, oregano, clarified tomato cordial and drops of salted white balsamic vinegar, garnished with tomato oil gel and black salt on a cracker) and the renowned strawberry drink made with house-infused spirits and syrups with a dried strawberry garnish on top. The Mediterranean menu involves mezze platters and schawrma great for sharing on a date night or with a group of friends. 1 W Exchange St., Providence, marcelinosboutiquebar.com/providence
Nick-a-Nee’s
Our favorite little neighborhood dive known for playing all kinds of music from bluegrass to rock, often hosts live jazz on Sundays starting at 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. They have a food menu and cheap drinks, just make sure you bring cash. Check their Instagram page for the latest schedule of live music. No cover. Cash bar. 75 South St., Providence, 861-7290, facebook.com/nickanees
Pump House Music Works
The Pump House in Wakefield occasionally hosts live jazz in the music lineup. On deck this Sunday, January 6 is the Evan Goodrow Trio performing soulful jazz, blues and funk with Marty Ballou on bass and Marty Richards on drums. Doors open at 6 p.m.; music starts at 7 p.m., for all ages. General admission is $20 per person. 1464 Kingstown Rd., Wakefield, pumphousemusicworks.com
Sardella’s
Newport’s Sardella’s has a new live jazz night at Imbriglio’s on Sundays, adding to its already well known Wednesday jazz night at Sardella’s at 7 p.m. Beginning on Sunday, January 5, the Richard Stanley Quartet will perform in Imbriglio’s jazz space on alternate Sunday evenings from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Expect progressive jazz and bepop tunes at the new bimonthly jazz series in the city that founded the Newport Jazz Festival. Reservations recommended. 30 Memorial Blvd. W, Newport, 401-849-6312, sardellas.com/jazz-nights
Chan’s Egg Rolls and Jazz
You can always see live jazz and blues at Chan’s in Woonsocket, which established itself as a Rhode Island live music institution in 1905. Owner John Chan turned this Chinese restaurant into a hotbed for jazz and blues by expanding and doubling its size in 1986 with a banquet room where jazz music is still performed. Paintings of some of the jazz greats line the walls, including Dizzy Gillespie and Duke Robillard. This weekend’s lineup includes the Greg Abate Super Sextet on Saturday, Jan. 4 at 8 p.m., followed by Michelle Willson with Sugar Ray Norcia on Friday, Jan. 10 at 8 p.m., and Brass Attack on Friday, January 17 at 8 p.m. Get the latest music schedule on Chan’s Facebook page. 267 Main St., Woonsocket, 401-765-1900, chanseggrollsjazz.com
