Even though other high-profile clubs have opened in the city since 1981, the Blue Note, on West Third Street, remains the one jazz venue where any cab driver will can you without the assistance of a more specific address. It may also be the only club where the coat check is often stuffed with luggage: "Tourists fly in from Europe and come straight from the airport," said the owner and founder, Danny Bensusan.
Coincidentally, the club's 30th anniversary arrives at a time when George Wein, who has mounted major mainstream jazz festivals in New York for nearly 40 years, has no festival planned. So the time seemed right to try something new. (more at wsj.com)
