Evenings Out: Zanzibar Blue

http://www.zanzibarblue.com/

Location: 200 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19102

Cover: None Sunday through Thursday

Service: 8/10

Hotness: 8/10

Other features: live jazz music

Atmosphere: chill/laid-back

Ideal for: sophisticates who want to relax and mingle with like-minded individuals

Band: Azel Dixon's Hammond B3 quartet

Located in the heart of center city, right next to the "Theater District," Zanzibar Blue offers a nice and relaxing way to unwind after an exciting night in Philly. Both convenient and affordable, Zanzibar Blue provides the solution to your needs. Looking for more excitement? Pull up a seat at the bar. Just want to check out the BEST live jazz music in town? Head right in the main room.

This music satiates the hunger of occassional jazz listeners and voracious jazz addicts alike. The music is simply awesome, but simultaneously so complex one could get a great brain workout analyzing the chord substitutions in the ii-V-I progressions. Dating back to 1990, this place has been stirring up the jazz scene with greats such as Nancy Wilson, Jimmy Scott, Chick Corea, Arturo Sandoval, Jamaladeen Tacuma, Lou Rawls, Kenny Garrett and Chuck Mangione.

My only regret in coming here, was that I came too late. I caught the tail end of February's feature Sunday night act, Azel Dixon. This band was smoking. The guitarist knew how to play rhythm guitar like nobody's business, and his solo chops were equally impressive. The Hammond Organ gave it that great soulful sound bands can only dream of obtaining without an organ. Its a shame that there just aren't many organs in live bands these days. Sorry, synthesizers on organ settings do NOT count as live organ.

Got the late night munchies? No worries. The hot wings there got my heart pumping, or was it pumping from the music? Speaking of hearts, do you have a date set for Valentine's Day? This is the perfect spot to take your special someone if nothing is planned yet. Great food, affordable drinks, and the best jazz in town. What more can you ask for?

Grade: A