Maira

The end of a perfect summer weekend in NYC, beer in hand and an almost view of the Empire State Building from my window, that's how I'm beginning my venture into the myspace world. A year ago I never imagined I'd be here, but my life outside my day job revolves around the awesome jazz scene in this great city I live in. The musicians I have the privilege to hear and when I’m lucky, befriend, inhabit this world so here I am!I moved to Manhattan five years ago and decided to take my interest in jazz to a whole new level. Got rid of my TV and started listening to “live” music in some of the best jazz clubs in the world. Started out in the usual places, the Village Vanguard, Blue Note, Birdland but then discovered "the most imaginatively booked jazz club in New York" The Jazz Gallery . The Jazz Gallery is this incredibly cool loft-like jazz club, which is also a not-for-profit that promotes the next generation of jazz artists. From my first visit in May 2003 when I heard the funky and eclectic Steve Coleman and Five Elements with the likes of Jonathan Finlayson, Gregoire Maret, Dafnis Prieto and Andy Milne, I was hooked. I went from being a regular to insinuating myself into their daily operations. I am now the membership coordinator and self-appointed advocate -PLEASE support this most vital operation which ensures the future of the greatest gift America has given the world!!!Through the tireless work and tremendous passion of the masterminds behind the Jazz Gallery, Dale Fitzgerald, Lezlie Harrison and Rio Sakairi, I have heard some truly moving and just plain GREAT music! I hope through this page you too can discover some of these artists and get hooked the way I have. I promise you, you won’t be sorry.