I lastly went to the famend jazz membership in Paris known as Le Duc des Lombards. It’s thought-about top-of-the-line jazz venues in Paris and I extremely suggest getting tickets for one of many performances. It’s a good way to spend a part of your night surrounded by nice music in an intimate, elegant setting. Right here’s what it’s best to know when you’re focused on listening to stay jazz in Paris.
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1. A Historic Jazz Membership In Paris: Le Duc des Lombards
There are a variety of Paris jazz golf equipment and Dec des Lombards constantly ranks within the prime 3, if not prime of the listing. It’s been round since 1984 and has performances by a number of the largest names in jazz. There are roughly 300 exhibits a 12 months so this can be a critical jazz membership.
It’s positioned on Rue des Lombards at Blvd de Sébastopol, within the 1st arrondissement. There are 2 different jazz golf equipment on the identical road, Sundown/Sunside and Le Baiser Sale.
2. What Varieties Of Performances Take Place At The Membership?
Whether or not it’s Swing, Ragtime, Latin jazz, or Bebop, you’ll discover all sorts of stay jazz being performed at Le Duc des Lombards by rising artists and world-class jazz icons.
- Solo artists, quartets, and bands play at this fashionable membership on the fitting financial institution close to Les Halles. Some well-known jazz musicians who’ve performed there included American trumpeter, Wynton Marsalis and French jazz double bassist Henri Texier.
- Rising artists and rising stars take the stage on “Nouvelle Scène” nights (Mondays and Tuesdays) and Jam periods are held late on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Le Duc additionally helps college students and music colleges. You’ll seemingly see that sure dates spotlight jazz quartets or ensembles from music colleges in or close to Paris. For instance, college students from Le Pôle supérieur d’enseignement artistique of Paris Boulogne-Billancourt (PSPBB) carried out 3 units in early June 2023. And sometimes Masterclass periods are provided for aspiring musicians.
The night time I selected to go, jazz guitarist, Sylvain Luc was taking part in for simply that one night time. His set lasted about 90 minutes.
3. Sylvain Luc “Easy Tune”
Sylvain Luc is a guitarist, composer and arranger who has performed with many well-known musicians together with Michel Legrand, Wynton Marsalis, and Charles Aznavour. He just lately launched a brand new solo guitar album known as, “Easy Tune” and though he performed items from this album, he additionally performed many fashionable songs that I knew. I’m certain you’d know them too. I cherished his renditions of “Over the Rainbow”, “The Lady From Ipanema”, and “Josie”, the 1977 hit from Steely Dan.
You’ll be able to take heed to Sylvain taking part in “Over The Rainbow” right here: YouTube Clip.
4. What’s It Like Inside Duc des Lombards?
(a) Inside Designed By Elliot Barnes
Duc des Lombards was tastefully redecorated by American architect, decorator, and designer Elliot Barnes. It’s a small music venue with two flooring—on the bottom ground and with an higher mezzanine space. There’s a bar on every stage and there may be air-con, so it’s fairly snug, particularly in the summertime.
The fashionable armchairs are padded and cozy and there are cocktail tables all through…normally one desk for each two chairs.
The stage permits the musicians to play “within the spherical” with up-close seating for these on the bottom ground. Actually, you would be proper up in opposition to the stage. That’s how shut the viewers can get to the musicians, definitely making the efficiency intimate.
(b) Critical About Jazz And Music
This jazz bar in Paris is critical about music. On centre stage is a good looking Yamaha grand piano. It remained coated throughout Sylvain Luc’s guitar-solo efficiency; nevertheless, it’s definitely an instrument jazz musicians love. The high-quality sound system and lighting are top-notch, creating a calming, pleasant, and cozy vibe.
I had appeared into different jazz golf equipment and a few have been positioned in basements. I used to be a bit involved about some being crowded and dingy and getting claustrophobic, so I made a decision to keep away from these sorts of jazz golf equipment.
(c) Seating Inside Duc des Lombards
Seating on the principle stage and higher balcony (mezzanine) is theatre-style with chairs and tables dealing with the stage. You’re seated shut collectively however it’s not an issue.
(d) Viewing The Efficiency: The place Ought to You Sit?
Had I gotten there earlier, I might have gotten a greater seat on the principle stage. I didn’t just like the one they first provided to me (on the aspect) and as an alternative selected to sit down on the mezzanine, within the entrance centre row. The one drawback with this location was that the railing obstructed the view and also you needed to type of lean over to see Sylvain. Should you select the mezzanine, get a seat on the aspect.
Having mentioned that, nevertheless, there are 2 giant display screen video displays on the higher stage and 1 on the principle stage of the membership so you too can see the musicians from completely different angles too.
If I have been to suggest a spot to sit down it might be on the principle ground within the centre, dealing with the stage.
5. Drink/Snack Checklist At Le Duc des Lombards
Simply earlier than the present begins you might be supplied with a menu. There are speciality cocktails which can be a part of the “All About Jazz” menu they usually even have wine, whiskey, beer and champagne. Delicate drinks and some non-alcoholic speciality drinks are additionally out there.
I had the “Le Pink Panther”, a non-alcoholic cocktail comprised of grapefruit juice, lime, elderflower, and Fever Tree Tonic. It was superb. They not serve sizzling dishes however you possibly can order a snack. They’ve charcuterie and/or cheese plates, foie gras, and smoked salmon (14€ -19 € ). Seguin Connoisseur gives the charcuterie and Jean-Yves Bordier’s Fromagée gives the cheese and butter plates.
Costs for glasses of wine and pop are affordable; bottles of wine are much less so. Their cocktails are about 10€ -14€.
6. Present Instances And Entrance Price/Costs
(a) Common Exhibits (Monday To Saturday)
At Duc des Lombards, the schedule and instances continually change so it’s essential to test their schedule. Usually, there are two concert events every night time, Monday to Saturday: one at 7:30 p.m. and one at 10:00 p.m. Not all artists do two exhibits, as was the case with Sylvain Luc, who solely did one present on the one date.
His present was marketed a number of months previous to the date; nevertheless, I didn’t buy a ticket on-line till about 10 days earlier than (29 €). There is no such thing as a reserved seating however I might recommend getting there about half-hour earlier than (that’s when the doorways open) so you may get a seat on the principle stage.
- Costs: vary from 29€ to 41€.
- With out Visibility: For some concert events, they do have “With out Visibility” tickets (the place you possibly can’t see the stage however can see the video displays) and the associated fee is 10 €.
(b) Jam Classes (Fridays and Saturdays)
There is no such thing as a admission charge to attend the Jam session on Fridays and Saturdays from 11:30 to 4:00 am; nevertheless, there’s a 1 drink minimal buy.
(c) Nouvelle Scène (Mondays and Tuesdays)
On Mondays and Tuesdays at 7:30, 9:00, and 10:30 the “Nouvelle Scène” performances happen. Entrance is free and reservations aren’t doable. You present up (half-hour earlier than) and line as much as get in.
7. The High Jazz Golf equipment In Paris
Listed below are a number of the greatest jazz golf equipment in Paris to think about. All are extremely rated and are just a bit completely different than Duc des Lombards:
- Le Caveau de la Huchette-5 Rue de la Huchette, fifth arr.
- Le Baiser Salé-58 Rue des Lombards, 1st arr.
- Sundown/Sunside-60 Rue des Lombards, 1st arr.
- New Morning-7/9 R. des Petites Écuries, tenth arr.
- Bal Blomet-33 Rue Blomet, fifteenth arr.
- Studio de l’Ermitage-8 Rue de l’Ermitage, twentieth arr.
- 38’Riv Jazz Membership-38 Rue de Rivoli, 4th arr.
- Jazz Membership Etoile-81 Bd Gouvion-Saint-Cyr, seventeenth arr.
- Le Caveau des Oubliettes-52 Rue Galande, fifth arr.
- Café de Paris V-14 Rue de la Huchette, fifth arr.
- Chez Papa Jazz Membership-3 Rue Saint-Benoît, sixth arr.
Le Duc des Lombards
Deal with: 42 rue des Lombards, 1ère arrondissement
Nearest Metro: Châtelet Les Halles
Web site: https://ducdeslombards.com/
8. The place To Keep In Paris Close to Duc des Lombards
For some concepts on the place to remain close to the Duc des Lombards, which is in an ideal space of Paris, simply north of the Seine and SW of the Pompidou Centre, listed here are some choices relying in your funds.
(a) For a funds lodge, think about:
The Lodge Ascot Opera. It’s clear, in an ideal location, and has a welcoming workers. Click on right here: Lodge Ascot Opera to test the evaluations and costs.
(b) For a mid-range lodge, think about:
- Novotel Paris Les Halles is only a 3-minute stroll away from Duc des Lombards. You’ll be able to’t beat the placement because it’s within the coronary heart of Les Halles. Rooms are air-conditioned and have a mini-bar and a tea and occasional maker and the Metro station is correct in entrance of the lodge. Click on right here to seek out one of the best costs: Novotel Paris Les Halles.
- Citadines Les Halles condominium/lodge has a kitchen, is snug, and is extremely near rue des Lombards. I actually just like the Citadines chain as you actually get worth to your cash. Click on right here to test the evaluations and costs: Citadines Les Halles.
- Lodge Choiseul Opera. Though it’s a 25-minute stroll away, I usually keep at this 3-star lodge. Nice value and placement….very near the Opera Garnier AND Roissybus….so I can simply catch this shuttle bus to Charles de Gaulle airport. Click on right here to seek out one of the best costs: Lodge Choiseul Opera.
- Timhotel Le Louvre. I’ve stayed right here and you can’t beat the placement, close to the Louvre, Pompidou Centre and rue de Rivoli. It’s clear pleasant, and cozy. Click on right here to seek out one of the best costs: Timhotel Le Louvre
(c) For a high-end lodge
Should you choose a bit extra of a high-end keep, undoubtedly think about the Maison Albar Inns Le Pont-Neuf. It’s a boutique lodge in an ideal location with a pool/spa and sauna and distinctive service. Click on right here to test the evaluations and costs: Maison Albar Inns Le Pont-Neuf.
(d) Different Paris Inns
For different out there inns in Paris, test right here for costs: Inns In Paris
Have you ever been to a jazz membership that you simply’d suggest? Please share your expertise.
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