Blue Note Jazz Club
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Key Information
Blue Note is an international chain of jazz clubs and restaurant founded in New York City [1] in 1981. Originally established in Greenwich Village, Blue Note has since expanded into a global brand with multiple venues across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.
While the flagship location remains at 131 West 3rd Street in New York City, Blue Note operates in cities including Waikiki (Hawaii), Los Angeles (California), Tokyo (Japan), Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo (Brazil), Milan (Italy), and Beijing and Shanghai (China).
The brand is widely regarded as one of the most prominent jazz venues operators in the world, presenting both established and emerging artists in intimate performance settings.
History
[edit]The original Blue Note opened on September 30, 1981, in Greenwich Village by owner and founder Danny Bensusan. The opening performance featured the Nat Adderley Quintet. Bensusan's belief was that "if he brought big acts into a comfortable environment with great food, he could pack the house night after night."[2]
The club quickly became a leading venue in the New York jazz scene, hosting prominent musicians such as Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan, Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, Oscar Peterson, Lionel Hampton, James Carter, Ray Charles and The Modern Jazz Quartet [3].
Following its success in New York, Blue Note began expanding internationally, beginning with the opening of Blue Note Tokyo in 1988. Over subsequent decades, the brand developed into a global network of venues and related ventures, including festivals, recordings, and partnerships.
In the 21st century, Blue Note has continued to grow, with new locations opening in major cultural centers such as Los Angeles in 2025 and planned expansion into additional cities worldwide [4].
Global Locations and Operations
[edit]Blue Note Entertainment Group operates jazz clubs and restaurants worldwide, each designed to maintain the intimate atmosphere, great food and artist-focused programming of the original New York location[5].
Current locations include:
• United States (New York City, Hawaii, Los Angeles)
• Japan (Tokyo)
• Brazil (Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo)
• Italy (Milan)
• China (Beijing, Shanghai) 
Each venue features nightly live performances, dining service, and curated programming that blends traditional jazz with contemporary genres such as soul, R&B, and hip-hop.
Brand Extensions
[edit]In addition to its venues, Blue Note operates several related initiatives:
Blue Note Jazz Festival
[edit]The Blue Note Jazz Festival began in New York City in 2011. Since then it has expanded to encompass the Blue Note Jazz Festival in other cities including The Blue Note Jazz Festival "Black Radio Experience" in Napa California and Blue Note Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California.
Blue Note Travel
[edit]Blue Note Travel is a travel and experiences division of Blue Note Entertainment Group, established in 2015 to provide music-focused cultural travel programs [6].
Offering curated international trips centered around live music, festivals, and artist-led experiences. These programs are designed to give participants access to performances, cultural institutions, and local music scenes, often including exclusive opportunities such as artist meet-and-greets and behind-the-scenes access.
Half Note Records
[edit]Half Note Records is the Blue Note's live record label, founded in 2001.[7] Numerous musicians have recorded live albums at the Blue Note and released them on this label, including James Carter, Avishai Cohen, Elvin Jones, Odean Pope, Charles Tolliver, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Kenny Werner, Arturo Sandoval, Kenny Garrett and others. Since its founding in 1998, the label has also expanded its scope to include studio releases, including McCoy Tyner's 2008 album Guitars and Kenny Werner's 2010 release.
Reputation and Influence
[edit]Blue Note is considered one of the most influential jazz venue brands globally, known for its role in presenting major jazz artists and fostering new talent. Its expansion into multiple cities has contributed to the globalization of live jazz performance while maintaining a consistent club experience rooted in its New York origins [8].
Gallery
[edit]-
Program at the Blue Note Jazz Club, New York City, December 10, 2016
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Chick Corea's and John McLaughlin at the club on Corea's 75th birthday, December 10, 2016
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The Blue Note Jazz Club, August 2012
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Chick Corea Elektric Band at the club in 2007
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Blue Note Jazz Club, New Year's Day, 2006
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Ravi Coltrane playing at the Blue Note, New York City, in 2023
References
[edit]- ^ Billboard. November 24, 2001. p. 44. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
- ^ Alison Morris, "Blue Note Jazz Club now a global brand" Archived March 21, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, Fox5NY, March 11, 2015.
- ^ Alex Beram, "Interview with Mega-Owner Steven Bensusan", Music Business Journal, Berklee College of Music, March 2008.
- ^ Roland, Rebecca (August 13, 2025). "A Legendary New York Jazz Club Is Opening in Los Angeles". Eater LA. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
- ^ "Home". Blue Note. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
- ^ Terrill (April 9, 2015). "Blue Note Entertainment Group Launches New Division - "Blue Note Travel"". TheUrbanMusicScene.com. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
- ^ Billboard. February 21, 2004. p. 40. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
- ^ Ito, Alina Joan (October 30, 2025). "The Legacy of Blue Note: From New York to Japan". Tokyo Weekender. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- New York City location
- Blue Note Hawaii location
- Blue Note Napa location
- Blue Note Los Angeles location
- Blue Note Tokyo, Japan location
- Blue Note Rio, Brazil location
- São Paulo, Brazil location
- Milan, Italy location
- Beijing, China location
- Black Radio Experience website

