Big Apple Jazz Tours

Gordon was the best guide: knowledgeable, passionate, you can tell this is not just a job for him. He took his time -our tour lasted about 5 1/2 hrs and we visited places I never would have found on my own. Ginny's Supper Club was a once in a lifetime experience. I would follow Gordon anywhere in the city to listen to Jazz and to him talk about Jazz.

Of the month we spent in NYC this was the most memorable night . Gordon is a wonderful host and wandering between small music joints in Harlem is a unique.experience . Great music even for people who are not pure jazz fans

Fantastic tour! A "must to do" in NYC. Great clubs, a very considerate guide. I recommend the tour to all who appreciate good music. A night like a "new yorker". Thanks, Mr. Gordon!

Wow, What a night of incredible jazz!!! On Sunday September 2nd, my wife Sheri and I joined our tour guide Gordon and 10 other fine folks on an amazing journey through Harlem's jazz clubs. We first started out at the Red Rooster and caught an incredible set with the phenomonal Bonciella Lewis, Mindblowing to say the least!!! We then left the Red Rooster and headed over to The Shrine to catch the Shrine Big Band. All the time Gordon kept us informed with lots of information regarding not just Harlem's jazz scene, both past and present, but of Harlem itself. Both it's colourful and vibrant past as well as it wonderful present and future, Absolutely stellar!!! As the Shrine the big band was great!! Playing it's own compositions and featuring all members of the band in solo spots. Great music for sure!!! We then moved on to what I thought was the best of all. In my opinion Gordon was definately saving the best for last. We were heading to a RSL club and along the way we got to view such Harlem landmarks as the "Wishing Tree" and the spots where the Lafayette Theater and Connie's Inn were located, Historic!!! We got to the club and we went into a basement of a row house and we were greeted with some the finest music I had heard in awhile!!! In residence was the legendary Seleno Clarke on organ and a great band just tearing it up, Unbelievable!!! One performer that certainly got everyones attention was the fabulous saxephone playing of the incredible Peter Valera!!! Mr. Valera's playing was amazing but really, so was the entire band!!! We left the club and on the way to our subway we got to get a good look at the historic Apollo Theater and, believe me, it is still glorious to behold. All the while Gordon filling us in on more history and wonderful titdbits of information. It was a wonderful night of great music and great company but it all came down to Gordon who showed us one fabulous time. Gordon really new his stuff and I could not imagine a better, more informative tour guide than Gordon. I highly, highly recommend Gordon's tour of the Harlem jazz clubs, it will be an evening of such amazing music and colourful information that you will not forget it!!! Pete Melkert Brantford, Ont. Canada. P.S. Thanks so Very, Very much Gordon!!! You are awesome and it was indeed a very high honor for Sheri and I to have met you and taken your tour!!! I would take it again (pardon the pun) in a New York minute!!! Also, thanks so much to everyone on the tour that night, it was wonderful to have met you all!!!

The tour showcases Harlem as well as the NY jazz offering. Contrary to its rep, Harlem is a vibrant buzzy place with great food and music venues. Gordon's knowledge of both is good. Sadly I only did this tour at the end of my stay in NY so I could not explore Harlem further. Recommended as a good taste of what is on offer.

This tour was just fantastic. I was travelling alone and wanted to see a part of New York that was off the beaten track but in a safe and fun environment. This tour did not disappoint. The jazz bars that we went to were all amazing - they were all different - but equally entertaining. The musicians and performances in all bars were mindblowing. I met some lovely interesting people on the tour who were from around the world and all seemed to love the tour as much as me. Our host was extremely friendly, knowledgeable and organised. I feel really bad that I didn't get to tip him as I jumped on a different train home to the group and it slipped my mind. I feel really guilty about that as he deserved it! What a lovely guy! Harlem itself surprised me - a lively, diverse area that is friendly, safe and full of energy. I would never have seen these bars, musicians and parts of Harlem without this tour. It was certainly the highlight of my trip to NYC. I saw some of the best jazz musicians I have ever seen in my life. If you are considering going on this tour just book it! You'll love it!

I have been a musician (sort of) and a music fan all my life but, I have just discovered a love for Jazz music in the last 4-5 years. I've been to New York City 12 times but this trip will stand out above the rest because of Gordon's Harlem Jazz Juke Joint Tour. Whether you love Jazz, live music, or just enjoy discovering the incredibly rich culture NYC has to offer; this tour really has something for everyone. Harlem is a beautiful and enriching part of the city that I can't wait to explore more the next time I visit. Gordon's knowledge of the geography, history, and people of the Jazz culture in Harlem is fantastic and really makes this tour worth every penny. I have already recommended this tour to friends that live in the city and I will recommend it to anyone visiting for the first or 20th time.

fantastic tour. it was both fun and culturally very interesting. a lot of great music in three different kinds of location, beautiful walks around wonderful neighborhoods and nice clubs. we met very nice people and great musicians, we felt at home like we had lived in harlem for years! gordon is really nice, friendly and explains a lot about history of music, musicians, clubs and all the places we visited! i maneged to play a tune in a jam session at paris blues club, which for me (italian) is a dream come true! next time in new york i'll do it again! lorenzo

This was one of the highlights of my trip. Gordon was so lovely and knowledgable abut the jazz scene in New York, and in particular Harlem. He wlll take you to little out of the way jazz bars where the locals know him well. I had a fabulous evening and would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to experience a jazz night in Harlem.

What a brilliant night! I can't thank Gordon enough for taking us on this tour, and cannot recommend it highly enough. As a jazz vocalist, I had pretty high expectations, but they were well and truly blown - from the first show at The Shrine (where I got to sing with the band!), to the second, mind-blowingly good show at the hippest new jazz club - Red Rooster, to the final show at the Legions Club (in the basement of a brownstone!) and everything in between, it was fantastic. I learnt so much, and had a fantastic night along the way. My husband (a newly converted jazz fan but non-musician) also adored it and said that it was one of the highlights of his week in NYC.

This was an excellent tour that brings you into the bowels of Harlem to places you would never find on your own. Gordon the tour guide and owner was excellent.

Great tour. Exceeded my expectations. Knowledgeable, friendly tour guide (Gordon), made everyone feel welcome. No confusion in getting around. No planned itinerary, we all trusted Gordon's choice of clubs. My perception of Harlem was fearsome. The tour negated the fear. I highly recommend the tour to others. Good job Gordon!!!!

Muy interesante y excelente el guia. La cena fue muy buena en el primero de los lugares que estuvimos, y en los otros tambien se podia cenar pero optamos por tomar algo. A mi me quedó muy claro como es el mundo del Jazz en nyc. Realmente muy interesante y recomendable.

Gordon is a very nice and interesting person. He made us discover clubs off the "famous jazz sites" circuit. All of three were very good - a special mention for the second and the third one, for different reasons. Thanks a lot, Gordon, from Cuba and France.

Informative Perfect for couples who want to escape from the buzz of Times square and listen to hidden jazz trios in Harlem. The visit to Harlem is a unique experience itself so don t miss it. Harlem is not the nicest place on Earth and if it wasn t for jazz I honestly would t go there by myself. However, the vibe of the 1930 jazz clubs and the atmosphere of the neighborhood is still there!!will learn a lot about History of jazz on this tour,the beginning of the beginning,where it all started,the spots where many jazz stars lived or were discovered. I mean,walking by the streets of Ella FiDzgerald or see the house where Scott Joplin lived is memorable! Don t miss red rooster restaurant! The best music ever! Overall,very good evening,excellent tour guide,you will feel safe and see a different NY but most of all listen real jazz..