At Broadway and 107th Street on New York City's upper West Side, we have found a new venue for jazz guitar. The food is good with an extensive menu and wine list and the feel is airy, relaxed and friendly. There we found service with a smile and appropriate tempo. There are tables on the sidewalk, but to enjoy the passers by, one sacrifices the remarkable jazz guitar duets. Joe Giglio, an emerging New York Guitarist shares the gig weekly with another excellent player, the likes of Jack Wilkins or Howard Alden. On occasion a student or friend will sit in. There is always some new take on a tune, or an interesting approach to an old standard. When we listened, Jack Wilkins produced a version of "Nuages" for us that was spectacular: interesting counterpoint and contrary motion and reharmonization, blended with the unbounded Wilkins chops. Joe Giglio responded with a vibrant comping background, and a solo that was as fresh as any response to Django's masterpiece we've heard. And so it goes, and the time flies. Many guitarists, young and seasoned, fledgling and well known, come to hear the offerings of what has become a most interesting venture into jazz guitar in a restaurant. If you can, catch the music, good food and drink and the fun at “107 West”.
Reviews
107 West: A Fine Restaurant With Jazz Guitar On Friday Nights