Give me a glass of red and live jazz music and you can keep me entertained for hours. There is something about the mystery, class, and charm of a jazz club that I find simply irresistible. I was ecstatic when I got invited to see Lee Ritenour – one of the world’s top jazz guitarists – perform in Melbourne’s newest jazz club: Bird’s Basement.
I’m not a musician or a jazz fanatic perse, but getting dolled up in my little black dress with red lipstick and lounging around the local jazz club is one of my favourite ways to spend a Friday night out.
The Basement lives up to its name – a cosy, modern establishment tucked away under the appropriately named Singers Lane in Melbourne. Named after Birdland, the legendary jazz venue in New York, the new sister establishment in Melbourne has high aspirations.
When you first walk in, it resembles a classy dinner party. Bird’s Basement offers full dinner menu options, or you can simply enjoy a few cheeky reds during the show. There is also a calzone bar upstairs to mingle amongst the artists (if you’re lucky) post performance.
As I sat sipping on my wine and admiring the sheer classiness of the venue, I felt as if I had been transported to an underground secret haunt amidst the bustling laneways of New York City.
Then entered Lee. Musical fluidity with the intricate guitar riffs and the most agile of fingers! Lee definitely lives up to his nickname “Captain Fingers”. The crowd loved him! Ritenour is serious in the jazz world. He has recorded more than 40 albums that have yielded 35 chart songs and is known for his musical fusionist, often incorporating elements of funk, pop, rock, blues, and classical music with jazz. I was in the midst of a true musical legend!
Bird’s Basement was an unforgettable night of lively entertainment – a fresh twist on Melbourne’s laneway nightlife with a welcomed infusion of top quality music!
You can find Bird’s Basement at 11 Singers Lane.
-Ember
Ember is an American turned Aussie. Her love affair with Melbourne goes back three years, and she still can’t get enough of this city! Discovering new hideouts and hidden gems around Melbourne is her hobby. Marketing Strategist by day, spontaneous adventurer, brekky enthusiast, and aerial acrobat by night.
