All that jazz

Dirk has a large selection of t-shirts, one of which is from the Venice Jazz Club, purchased the last time he was here for the Biennale. Going back there was high on the list of priorities for both of us. (When our mutual friend Carol decided two years ago that we needed to meet, she had no idea that we both love jazz – or darts or pool – pure happy happenstance.)

How lucky was it that Dirk chose to make a reservation for Thursday evening. It was just what I needed after my ART! ART! ART! head explosion earlier in the day.

I’ve just looked up some information about the club online and found the following, written by a local:

“Over a decade ago a couple of Venetian musicians with a vision took over one of the only discos in town and transformed the space into an intimate jazz club. Our favourite place for a night on the town is this spot.

“The Jazz Club is on the edge of popular Campo Santa Margherita, just on the fondamenta of the infamous Ponte dei Pugni in Dorsoduro…

“Owner Federico Nalesso will greet you at the door, take your drink order and then entertain you from his throne at the piano. A truly wonderful way to pass an evening in La Serenissima. The whirlwind of pleasure will end promptly by 23:00 in accordance with Venetian noise variance.”

Let me tell you, this Federico chap is unbelievably charming. And once he takes up his spot at the piano he does turn out to be an amazing musician.

Interesting to discover, as he told the audience after performing the song, that Dave Brubeck did not write his most famous song, that it was in fact Paul Desmond who wrote Take Five. Also interesting to hear a jazz rendition of Eleanor Rigby.

I did film a bit of the performance, but of course I can’t share the video due to annoying WordPress restrictions. So, here’s a promo for the club instead.

It was a fantastic evening out. We will definitely go back next week. I might even buy my own t-shirt.