I have lived in Seattle for almost 5 years now, and sadly, I am leaving the Emerald City shortly. In these final moments, I’ve made it a point to explore those corners of Seattle that have either captivated me with adoration or always lingered on my admiration list but remained unvisited until now.
Jazz Alley was one of the places where I always wanted to check out since I first spotted its sign on the street. But as a jazz club is somewhere I do not casually go, I procrastinated until few days ago. I am really glad that I did, and it made my first business day of 2024 very special! (I visited on the 2nd of January)
Getting Tickets in Jazz Alley
There were two of us visiting Jazz Alley, and we made seats reservation online in advance in late December. We were initially looking for the dates around the New Year’s Eve but tickets were almost sold out pretty much the entire last week of December. There were few tickets left but the price was over $300. Given the holiday season, it was unsurprising that the dates were in high demand. However, the intriguing twist was the featured artist – none other than the renowned Kenny G!
I grew up in Korea but I vividly recall that Kenny G’s tracks seemed to permeate every space I frequented during certain years. My parents, avid collectors of his CDs, unknowingly immersed me in his melodic world. And I never knew Kenny G was from Seattle! Nevertheless, with a desire to savor the talent of a more local and less-celebrity artist, I opted for January 2nd, where the band “Pearl Django” took the stage.
Seats in Jazz Alley
There were two of us, and we picked a cocktail seating because we wanted to dine at home and enjoy the music. The ticket price was fair, about $36 per person.
Picking seats was a little tricky though. From the below seating chart, the red outlined seats are the cocktail seatings. The ones right by the stage were gone. We had to choose between the left side of the stage or the balcony. We picked the seat number 37.
Our table was equipped with a plexiglass barrier, and a charming little lamp added to the ambiance. With a wooden bench, we enjoyed a cozy spot heading towards the stage.
The view, admittedly, wasn’t stellar, but I suppose you get what you pay for, and I don’t harbor any complaints. My sightline was limited to the side of some musicians, although the saving grace was the violinist (Michael) who consistently turned in my direction, allowing me glimpses of their performance. And it was just so good to hear the great music live! But if there’s a chance next time, I will definitely pay more and get a better seat.
As I exited the club, I took a quick peek at the balcony, and personally, I’m convinced those balcony cocktail seats are a step up from where I planted myself. The view from seat 200, and seat 420 right behind it, seemed pretty solid. It struck me that being able to see the entire band from up there would have added a whole new level to the experience!
Drinks and Desserts at Jazz Alley
Since I’m not into alcoholic drinks, it was a relief that they had a bunch of non-alcoholic options on the menu. I went for the Tropical Spritzer – a mix of mango, pineapple, and fresh lime juice with soda. Gotta say, it was pretty refreshing. I discovered later that there’s a mocktail section, so if you’re on the same boat, definitely give that a look!
My husband kicked off with the Cinna-Man Old Fashioned and then switched it up to Jazz Alley Martinis. According to him, the Old Fashioned was alright – nothing to write home about. He could not really tell about the Martinis because it was his first time trying one 😅
We also ended up ordering a Key Lime Pie as it seemed to be a popular dessert at Jazz Alley. It was quite good. I was anticipating a firmer bottom layer, but it turned out to be on the softer side. But it was pairing great with the drink and… the great music 😌
Music at Jazz Alley – Pearl Django
I went in blind without doing any research on the band, and I must say, I was pleasantly surprised by how delightful Pearl Django’s music turned out to be. Their focus on Gypsy Swing, a term I wasn’t familiar with beforehand, instantly clicked when I recalled hearing similar tunes in France or French movies. 🇫🇷
During my 20s, I spent nearly three months living in Paris, and when I listened to Pearl Django’s music, it triggered a flood of memories. It felt as if I were back in those days, sitting on the steps in front of Montmartre, surrounded by the echoes of the past.
They treated us to some familiar tunes like “Under Paris Skies,” “Smile,” and “Bésame Mucho.” The encore, “La Vie en Rose,” felt like the perfect musical ushering into the new year.
I really enjoyed their own tracks (I believe) like Double Scotch and Lover, Come Back to Me. The tracks were overall… just very lovely. Michael, the violinist was very witty as well.
What do you wear to Jazz Alley Seattle?
I had the same question and on their website, they say there is no enforced dress code and most of their guests come in dressy casual attire. They say formal attire (suit and tie for men, evening dress for women) is recommended on nights such as Valentine’s or New Years Eve, but not required.
From my observation, the majority of the audience opted for a casual vibe. While there were a few individuals dressed in a more formal manner, shirts and jackets or even sparkly dresses, the prevalent style seemed to lean towards casual. It resembled the kind of attire you’d spot in an office setting.
Closing
I can’t help but regret checking out Jazz Alley only as I’m about to leave the city! This jazz club exudes a lovely, comfortable, laid-back vibe. I appreciated the natural ambiance and the evident traces of time and history woven into its atmosphere. The cocktail seating was reasonably priced (although I’m eyeing the balcony for my next visit), and parking was a breeze with free spots in Doppler Garage just across the street. Pearl Django’s music was delightful. Highly recommended for those looking to weather Seattle’s gloomy rainy months with a touch of musical warmth. 😁
