We’ve just come back from what I consider to be the crowning event of our trip here, and yet another activity you shouldn’t miss on a trip to New York - a jazz gig.

Since we decided to come to New York, one thing that I had insisted on doing was taking in some live jazz. Last time I did this, I went to a beer soaked, basement dive on Bleaker Street where the booze was watered down and the music was loose and crunchy. It was an excellent experience, but as we were with polite company (our New-Yorkian friends had joined us again this evening) we needed something a little refined.

We decided to go to a place called the Jazz Standard - a plush jazz venue that handily incorporated one of “the best barbecue” (according to Time Out magazine) restaurants in Manhattan.

The venue was about 20 blocks from where we were staying in Times Square, so it took us a bit of time to get there by foot. We started to get a bit worried, as the further we walked the seedier our surroundings became, walking past shuttered doors and corrugated iron barricades. At one point, we decided that a strategic crossing of the street was in order, rather than to walk through a large group of youths who appeared to be causing trouble.

Thankfully, it turned out that we had gone off course slightly, and once we had regained our bearings we found ourselves outside a fairly up-market restaurant called “Blue Smoke” - which just happened to be the caterers for the basement jazz venue. Going through large swing doors and down into the basement we were greeted by a low-lit, moody but thoroughly modern bar / restaurant. A small stage, backed by what appeared to be pursed red leather, appeared to already set up.

As we were one of the first people through the door, we pretty much had our pick of the tables, and was seated dead centre where we could see the stage uninterrupted. The service here was excellent, and it didn’t take very long for us to get served after placing our order. Ribs, steaks and grilled chicken was the order of the day here, cooked and prepared to perfection in huge portions.

As I tucked into my “rib sampler” (a selection of spare ribs in different marinades), the band led by jazz saxophonist Wayne Escoffery appeared on stage. Announcing that this occasion was an “album launch party”, they played a sixty minute set of traditional jazz tunes featuring extended solos by each musician for each song. Marimba player Joe Locke completely stole the show, garnering the most applause for his skill on the vibes.

With the dinner and music over, it was time to head back - picking up a CD from the bar on the way out.