Paris - jazz??
 

I will be in Paris for a couple days in early April with a student group on an educational tour. Some are interested in jazz. Any suggestions where they can go to hear some good jazz that doesn't cost an arm and a leg?

Rue de l'Hachette in the 5th has a variety of jazz clubs (certainly not upscale). Not cheap...cover can be $10-15...BUT there are semi-professional jazz groups playing all over the city in different venues (probably like in your own home town: the big arena draws Herbie Hancock, but the local Italian restaurant has nightly entertainment). Keep an eye out for flyers and posters; there's also a free publication that comes out once a week (in English, bless their hearts) with "things to do". Pick it up at Shakespeare and Co or in some cafes, etc. It's called Pariscope or something like that. University of Paris and the Sorbonne usually have some sort of student activities, too, with local groups.

Rue de la Huchette has a famous jazz club, Le Caveau de la Huchette, which is not expensive. Aside from that, thought, I would avoid this very touristy area. There are many jazz clubs on rue des Lombards near Les Halles (another area I would avoid, in general). Don't know about prices. Finally, you can check out the 2 Petit Journal clubs, one in Montparnasse and one on blvd St Michel. The prices are high only for big names. You can eat or just drink cocktails. The previous poster is referring to the Time Out section in Pariscope, a weekly "what to do" guide that you can get from any newstand.

Actually, Pariscope is on the Web, both in French and English. However, the English version lists only generic info about major tourist attractions. If you can deciper any French at all, you'll find an extremely comprehensive listing of music, dance, theatre and cinema info -- including the dozens of jazz clubs in the Latin Quarter. The site is www.pariscope.fr; then go to the 'scene' section. Bonne chance!

There is a mix of music at the Caveau de la Huchette, not always traditional jazz exactly but sort of (often there's dancing, sort of swing-type music), although it's a fun spot--I'd say US$10-15 is inexpensive cover for any decent club in any major world city. There aren't really dozens of jazz clubs on the Left Bank--there used to be more many, many years ago but now there are only a couple left which are rather expensive (most jazz clubs have about a 80-120FF cover). For student budgets, there are some free jazz clubs on the Right Bank side, you might try these that are free (or used to be): <BR> <BR>Houdon Jazz Club (5 rue des Abbesses, 18th arr.) <BR>La Cithea, 114 rue Oberkampf (11th arr)--this club has a variety of jazz-type music on diff. nights, you might want to check, I think weekends are more dancing-type African-jazz) <BR>the New Morning club in the 10th arr. (rue des Petites Ecuries) is a very well-known and good jazz club, but it has about a 100FF cover. There's also Le Sunset club at 60 rue des Lombards (1st arr near Chatelet-Les Halles metro) with more contemporary stuff,which is about the price of Le Caveau (prob. 50-80FF). <BR>

Thanks very much everyone! Your advice so far has been most informative and helpful.