Arturo Sandoval plays trumpet the way few living musicians can, screaming into the altissimo one chorus and whispering a bolero the next, and the Blue Note puts you close enough to hear him breathe. Ten Grammys and a career that runs from Irakere to Dizzy Gillespie sit behind every phrase. If you want one night that explains why Afro-Cuban jazz reshaped American music, book the late set and stay for the encore.
What to expect
The room seats you tightly around small tables with a stage barely raised off the floor, so the horn is genuinely in your face. Sandoval leads a working band, talks between numbers, and often moves to piano mid-set. Late sets tend to run looser and longer than the early ones, and the band usually stays to sign records afterwards.
Good to know
- Take the A, B, C, D, E, F or M to West 4th St-Washington Square, then walk a block
- Table seating is assigned by arrival order, so early entry gets you closer
- Late sets usually have a shorter queue and a looser feel
- Best for jazz listeners who want a club setting rather than a concert hall
- The club is small; step-free access is limited, so call ahead if needed
Get Saturday planned every Thursday
One email a week — the best of the NYC weekend board. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Common questions
How many sets are there each night?
Two, at 8pm and 10:30pm, on all three nights of the run.
Is there a minimum on top of the ticket?
Yes. Blue Note applies a food and beverage minimum to bar and table seating in addition to the admission price.
More this weekend
