Down the popular Phra Athit road, student jazz is alive and well at Jazz Happens! Each night an eclectic mix of local Bangkok jazz bands cut their teeth.
Back in 2008, K. Nu and his bandmates needed a place to play, K. Nu was also looking for a way to get his talented music students, at Silpakorn University, exposure to the music scene. They rented a second floor room above one of the few businesses on what was then a relatively quiet Phra Athit road and for two years K. Nu used the space as a platform for his students to perform in a real world setting, as well as performing in his own band, Top Dogs.
Then, in 2010, the group moved to the current venue, a two storey absinthe green bar barely the width of a piano, and Jazz Happens! was born. In less than a year this stretch of Phra Athit road filled up with dive bars and small time restaurants, these new bars suggested a secret popularity, hidden on a well worn path. The celebratory air remains and it is recommended you start at the the top of Phra Athit road, just after The Golden Mount, this will allow you to stroll past the mishmash of bars and cafes, before discovering the assorted company of Jazz Happens! spilling out onto the street at the far end.
2011 is when the bar became serious and business joined art as the focus of the group of musicians. The first floor seats around thirty on a handful of tables,lit by dim candles, in front of the band and a bar with saloon chairs slung around the wall perpendicular to the entrance. Upstairs seats fifty on lounge chairs and sofas, and outside the front entrance tables and chairs make up space for 20 more.
The ground floor is tightly packed, sitting on the saloon chairs feels as though you're hovering over the band as the music spirals up towards you. The first floor is more suitable for chit-chat over a glass of wine, the bar also serves several brands of beer on top of twenty-five different cocktails.
The band directs the performance into the depths of the bar so patrons strewn about the outside experience the ambience of the street and adjacent company as much as the music. Inside, on the ground floor, is a constant stream of fresh talent from sunset to midnight. Four bands play each night, typically each band gets one spot a week.
The bands go on tour around the country often and the bar is opening a new branch in Chiang Rai next year, Jazz Happens also has a record label.
You might associate jazz with frost bitten nights in New York or Paris, if that's the case then drag out your big coat, turn up the thick collar and brave the cold air of Bangkok's winter on your way to the National Gallery for the Winter Jazz & Arts Festival, hosted by Jazz Happens!. The fourth Saturday of every month, starting at 16:30 with a workshop and performance from Cembalo, the festival features some of the most popular regulars at Jazz Happens.
The festival kicks off tonight with Rangsit U. Jazz and Groove band, featuring Opal from season two of The Voice, performing at 17:00. The full schedule is available below and on our website. Jazz Happens! Is on Phra Athit road, to get there head southbound on Rama VI, turn right onto Phitsanulok Road, left onto Samsen and keep going unit you see the Golden Mount. Like the Facebook page, Jazz Happens Bar, and follow them on Twitter @jazZhappens_org for updates on the festival, band schedules at the bar and much more.
Originally posted at:
https://bangkok.oneplace.events/articles/review/jazz-happens