It’s a Wednesday evening and my friends and I are gathered at our favorite jazz venue on Commercial Drive, The Libra Room to enjoy another night of some of the best jazz you’ll hear in the city.
The decor is bohemian, brick walls covered with paintings by local artists, candle-lit tables and a long bar lit by coloured lights. There’s a patronage of old and young grooving to the cool jazz riffs of the Amanda Tosoff Trio and friends. These talented young musicians were named best new group at last year’s Internation Jazz Festival and they play at the Libra Room almost every Wednesday night. They, and many of their friends who often come to sit in with the group, are graduates of the Capilano College music program. Tonight they have two guest musicians playing with them, who come from the States.
The Libra Room is one of Vancouver’s excellent jazz venues, popular with the local “Drivers
as well as fans from other parts of town. Where else can you hear such
top-quality music for so little? There’s no cover charge. At the break
they’ll bring around the tip jar so you can show your appreciation. ($5
is the expected donation.)
By 8.30 pm the place is almost jammed to capacity. The music stars with the mellow sounds of “Everything Happens to Me”. Amanda Tosoff is an accomplished pianist (we think she’ll be the next Diana Krall!) and she’s backed by drummer Morgan Childs and guest upright bassist, Andre le Chance, both well-known local musicians. The guest trumper player tonight is Josh Deatsch from Eugene Oreg. and later in the evening they are joined by Rob Schepps on the soprano sax, visiting from New York.
You can go to the Libra Room for dinner or just buy snacks to enjoy while relaxing to the music. Entrees range from $14 for vegetarian lasagne to $20 for New York Steak. They serve pastas from $23, a selection of appetizers from $7, salas from $8 and pizza for $9. The bar provides martinis and cocktail for $8.50 as well as a variety of wine, whiskeys and beer on tap or by the bottle.
The Libra Room
1608 Commercial Dr
604-255-3787
OTHER JAZZ VENUES IN VANCOUVER
The Cellar Restaurant and Jazz Club
3611 W. Broadway
604-738-1959
Capones Restaurant and Live Jazz Club
1141 Hamilton St. (off Davie), Yaletown
604-684-7900
O’Doules Restaurant and Bar (at the Listel Hotel)
1300 Robson St.
604-661-1400
