Jack’s Jazzes Up Dinner Time

New Haven has always been hungry for jazz, and as the city continues to open back up to more opportunities to hear it live, musician Nick Di Maria has added yet another night to his already busy roster for music lovers to enjoy jazz while having dinner and drinks. Friday Night at Jack’s debuted this past weekend on the corner of College and Crown at Jack’s Bar and Steakhouse from 7 to 9 p.m. Di Maria was there with his quartet to play the first show, though this is far from his first time playing there.

The trumpeter, bandleader, and founder of New Haven Jazz Underground has been running a weekly show at this bar and restaurant on Wednesdays since Feb. 22 that is going ​“very well,” Di Maria said. Those nights have mostly featured duos, while Di Maria noted that Fridays will feature more quartets and trios. He is hoping to have his own quartet as well as the Brian Suto Trio one to two times a month, and then rotate through other bands to fill in the other times. If the Wednesday night shows are any indication of how this new night will go, Di Maria will be pleased.

“The people here have been great,” he said. ​“Most of them appreciate what we’re doing and at a high level, even if they are not jazz fans. People are coming up and saying they appreciate it. There’s the occasional request, and that’s nice.”

And what these types of events have brought to the city goes far beyond the scope of simply hearing jazz.

“If you want an example of life getting back to normal, this is the place to be,” Di Maria added with a smile. ​“The vibe is so fun. The staff is great, there’s good food, and now good music.”

These two nights a week at Jack’s are now in addition to the every other Tuesday night jazz jam that Di Maria has been holding at Cafe Nine under the umbrella of the New Haven Jazz Underground. Those shows have been ​“slammed.”

“We’re getting back to where you can see jazz five or six nights a week in New Haven,” he said. ​“That’s where the New Haven Jazz Underground was at peak Covid.”

The hours of 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. are peak dinner time on a Friday night, and this Friday the bar and restaurant were bustling, with couples and larger parties seated at tables throughout. The large U‑shaped bar also features a few high-top tables, which is where this reporter was seated directly across from the band. 

The service was incredibly attentive and pleasant, and I received my glass of wine and a basket of bread immediately. A dark and lovely Super Tuscan, one of my favorites, seemed perfectly suited for the sounds of Di Maria on trumpet, Dan Liparini on guitar, Pete Blake on bass, and Avery Collins on drums. Hesitant to order a larger meal while covering a show, I perused the appetizer section and found, to my delight, mussels fra diavolo. While waiting for those I dipped my bread into a subtly seasoned olive oil with fresh ground pepper and listened to the band members meld with one another as well as give each other enough room to highlight their own individual talents.

Selections were not always obvious, which to me is the best part of listening to jazz. Every song feels fresh and new even if it’s a riff on a classic. This was not your typical jam, though the quartet did play a range of sounds from slow and sultry to peppier and punchier tunes with more bite.

Speaking of bites, my meal was presented in the most adorable little pot, hiding a wealth of mussels and flavor. Covered in an abundance of garlic crostini, the saucy shellfish were perfect for the moment. I am not a fan of spicy for spicy’s sake, but this dish had just enough kick to linger but not overpower the tenderness and sweetness of the mussels. More bread was necessary and happily provided. 

The band kept kicking it up without overpowering as well. As diners came and went, each song was met with applause and cheers, and Di Maria acknowledged those who took the time to acknowledge the music. Everyone seemed to be smiling, swaying, or nodding along, even the wait staff. 

After the briefest of breaks, the band came back with the same vigor and vivacity as before, and this reporter, her stomach and heart warm and full, managed to empty every shell of its deliciousness. As Di Maria had mentioned earlier, there truly was as sense of normalcy to it all, though the idea that one could have such a special night out so easily seems like such a gift these days after all that has been lost and endured. Maybe it is time to make Friday nights sizzle again while we can, with Di Maria and friends providing the soundtrack. 

Friday Night at Jack’s will continue every Friday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Please visit the Nick Di Maria Music Facebook or Instagram pages for more information about future performers. Reservations for Jack’s Bar and Steakhouse can be made through its website or by calling at (203) 891‑5777.