Today’s “Fab Five” / Selected NYCity Events – SUNDAY, July 21, 2013

The Pine Leaf Boys   /   TODAY’S TOP PICK
Come out to see the Pine Leaf Boys at Connolly’s, which is the most famous Cajun/Zydeco venue in New York City. The four-time Grammy-nominated Pine Leaf Boys have just come out with a new album, Danser. These Rajin’ Cajuns have Wilson Savoy on accordion, keyboards, fiddle and vocals, Courtney Granger on fiddle and vocals, Jon Bertrand on guitars, Drew Simon on drums and vocals and Thomas David on bass.

Wilson Savoy says about “Danser”: “It’s Cajun music, but hard to describe, with a lot of accordion, and blues and country and soul influences. The best way to describe it is just ‘Pine Leaf Boys.”

Connolly’s, a dance hall with good sound, welcomes all who enjoy live Louisiana music, and offers a  complimentary dance workshop  prior to the music for those interested in learning the basic dance steps. You do not need a partner to participate.
Connolly’s, 121 West 45th Street (btw 6th/ bway) – 3rd Fl
at 7:30 pm / $22; dance lesson at 6:15
212-597-5126 / connollyspubandrestaurant.com

Sound It Out 1st Anniversary Hot House Festival *
“For the last year, the Sound It Out concert series, founded by the music journalist Bradley Bambarger, has been a beacon of adventurous programming in Greenwich Village.

To celebrate its first anniversary, the series is presenting a four-night festival, running through this weekend. Sunday highlights include a piano duo with Craig Taborn and Gust Burns (at 7:30 p.m.); and the Rez Abbasi Trio, led by its namesake guitarist (at 8:30 p.m.)” (Chinen-NYT)
Greenwich House Music School, 46 Barrow Street, West Village,
At 7:30 and 8:30 p.m./ $20 per night.
(212) 242-4770/greenwichhouse.org

Seu Jorge
“Seu Jorge was once a certified “groovie” in his native favela, rising from abject poverty to help spearhead a ’90s revival of Brazilian R&B. The have-guitar-will-travel phase of his career took off when he strummed David Bowie covers in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. Tonight he plays with his latest combo, Almaz, as part of the citywide Brasil Summerfest celebration.” (TONY mag)
Blue Note, 131 W 3rd St. at Sixth Ave
At 8 and 10:30PM / $45 at bar
212-475-8592 / bluenote.net/newyork

Manuel Valera and the New Cuban Express
“Cuban-bred keyboard virtuoso Manuel Valera heats up Iridium with a superb band: saxophonist Joel Frahm, guitarist Tom Guarna, bassist John Benitez, drummer Ludwig Alfonso and percussionist Mauricio Herrera.” (TONY mag)
Iridium Jazz Club, 1650 Broadway at 51st St
At 8 and 10PM / $25
212-582-2121 / iridiumjazzclub.com

The Bad Plus*
“Few groups in the greater jazz orbit sound more doggedly intrepid than the Bad Plus, which flirted with electronic textures on “Made Possible” (eOne), released last fall. The band — Reid Anderson on bass, Ethan Iverson on piano, David King on drums — has recently collaborated with sympathetic interlopers, notably the guitarist Bill Frisell. But this run, taking place on familiar footing, will simply feature the trio in all its lean, concussive glory.” (Chinen-NYT)
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Avenue South, at 11th Street
At 8:30 and 10:30 p.m./ $25 cover, with a one-drink minimum.
(212) 255-4037 / villagevanguard.com

Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm dates and check times, as schedules are subject to change ==============================================================================

A PremierPub and 3 Good Eating places – Tribeca

B-Flat  277 Church st (Btw Franklin/White)

There are some places that are tough to find, then add a layer of mystery when you do find them. B-Flat has a nondescript, almost unmarked door at street level – today’s speakeasy vibe. Open this door and you face a dimly lit stairway down to their basement location. It almost takes a leap of faith to follow the stairs down to their interior door. But open that door and a pleasant surprise awaits you.

It’s a basement jazz spot all right, but not like any traditional jazz joint you may have been to before. This place looks as fresh as today, probably because it’s only been open for 6 years. Even though it hasn’t had a chance to age gracefully, the cherry wood accents and low lighting make this small space very inviting.

There is always jazz, often progressive jazz,  playing over their very discrete, stylish bose speakers, setting just the right tone as you find a seat at the bar, or one of the small tables. There is wine and beer available, but this place has some expert mixologists making some very creative cocktails, which I’m told change seasonally, a nice touch.

Come at happy hour and tasty cocktails like the el Diablo or the lychee martini are $8 – not bad. I am a sucker for any drink made with lychee and how can you not try a tequila drink named el Diablo. There is also nice selection of small bites available at happy hour and a food menu that is as innovative as the cocktail menu, so this does not have to be a happy hour only stop.

It wasn’t surprising to find a tasty prosciutto and arugula salad with yuzu dressing, but I did not expect to find such a good version of fried chicken breast on the apps menu. Here it’s called “Tatsuta.” Best bet is to sample happy hour, then dinner on a Monday or Wednesday night, when you can finish with no cover live jazz that starts around 8.

This place is tough to find (look for a small slate sandwich board on the sidewalk out front advertising happy hour) and on some nights when there is no live music it may be a little too quiet for some. But I think it’s worth searching out if you want a place with good music, food, and especially drinks, away from the maddening crowd.

Website: http://http://www.bflat.info/index.html
Phone #: 212-219-2970
Hours: Mo-Wed 5pm-2am; Th-Sat 5pm-3am; no Sun
Happy Hour: 5-7pm every day; $8 cocktails + special prices on apps
Music: Mon/Wed 8pm
Subway: #1 to Franklin; walk 1 blk E to Church; 1 blk N to bFlat

“Pub” is used in it’s broadest sense – bars, bar/restaurants, wine bars, cocktail lounges,  tapas bars, craft beer bars, dive bars – just about anyplace you can get a drink without a cover charge.