Tony-Winning Actress to Inaugurate New Manhattan Jazz Club

By Andrew Gans
02 Jan 2004

Dee Dee Bridgewater, who won a 1975 Best Featured Actress in a Musical Tony Award for her performance in The Wiz, will open the new jazz club Le Jazz Au Bar in February.

From Feb. 3-7, 2004, Bridgewater will bring her newest concert act to Le Jazz Au Bar, located at 41 East 58th Street. The new jazz space is the work of impresario Howard Stein, who owns the nightclub Au Bar, where the new jazz room will be housed.

Le Jazz Au Bar, which seats 175, will combine "the luxe of the Café Carlyle, the legacy of the Oak Room and the chops of the Blue Note." In a statement owner Stein said, "I've always loved jazz music and saw Au Bar as the perfect place to present the best and brightest in jazz talents, both legendary and legends-in-the-making. It has the intimacy and decor unlike any other jazz venue in town."

Following Bridgewater into the new room will be Marlena Shaw (Feb. 11-14) and the George Shearing Trio (Feb. 18-21). An announcement of additional performers is expected shortly.

Show times are 8 PM on weeknights and 8 and 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. There is a $35 (weeknights)/$50 (weekends) cover charge and a $25 food/drink minimum. For tickets to Bridgewater's show, call (212) 308-9455.