Joe Lovano has been one of the defining tenor voices in jazz for four decades, and the Paramount Quartet pairs him with Julian Lage, the most in-demand guitarist of his generation. The Vanguard's wedge-shaped basement seats roughly 120 people under photographs of everyone who ever recorded there. If you only get inside one New York jazz club, make it the one where Coltrane and Evans cut live albums.
What to expect
You descend a steep staircase into a red triangular room with tables pressed close to a low stage, under photographs of every giant who recorded here. Sets run around 75 minutes with no opening act and no talking during the music. Seating is first come, first served within your ticket tier, so the queue outside matters.
Good to know
- Take the 1, 2 or 3 to 14th St, or the A, C, E to 14th St, then walk to Seventh Avenue South
- Queue forms on the sidewalk before doors; arriving early gets you a better table
- Photography and phone use during sets are actively discouraged
- The room is down a flight of stairs with no elevator
- Best for listeners who want a strict listening room, not a chatty bar
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Common questions
Who is in the Paramount Quartet?
Joe Lovano on saxophone, Julian Lage on guitar, Asante Santi Debriano on bass and Will Calhoun on drums.
Can I reserve a specific table?
No. Vanguard seating is allocated as people enter, so arriving at the start of the queue is the only way to sit close.
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