Sweet Rhythm quietly ends run as Village jazz stage

Saddened over this news but this one seemed like a long time coming. Sweet Basil was my main club when I was in college back in the '80s (that and the late lamented Bradley's). So many nights, so many memories of David Murray, Don Pullen, Abdullah Ibrahim, Fort Apache, McCoy Tyner and of course Art Blakey and Gil Evans. Anybody who thought that jazz was dead in the 1980s was not hanging out at Sweet Basil.

So hard to believe it's closed. Monday nights with Gil Evans,Benny Golson with Art Farmer are just some of the talent that graced their stage and my life. The songs have ended but the melodies linger on.

so many beautiful memories of sweet basil-al grey and buddy tate, a line down the block for art blakey and the jazz messengers!, sun ra arkestra in the halloween parade and then direct to the club for a night of standards and sun ra originals. sweet rhythm had many of the same people running the club such as cho the best jazz bartender ask the musicians. I was there when it reopened one year after 9/11 steve slagle and dave stryker 9/13/02. this brought hope to me that ny would recover from that terrible day. unfortunately I only saw the club packed when they had a memorial weekend for john hicks who had played so much wonderful music there over the years. bright moments!

Sad to read this. Countless memories of fine performances (Basil & Rhythms) this west coast based fan was fortunate to enjoy. Re-introducing the Impulse! label there in 1986
was a special night, but there were always special nights at that place. Just walking in there knowing you'd hear top notch artists and bump into God knows who...it was a great joint indeed! Horst and James presented so many fine performers and artists. Let's hope there will be more even a little like it.

My first visit to NYC I somehow landed at Sweet Basil. Clueless kid that I was, I arrived early and sat down at a table near the piano. Two sets by Cecil Taylor later(baptism under fire, right) I left - in shock and awe - walking God knows how many blocks to my hotel.
A few months ago, I had the unexpected pleasure to meet Mr. Taylor and thank him for that unforgettable experience. Wish now I could have thanked the club owners too.
I loved this space. It will indeed be missed.

How sad. That place was my headquarters (there and the lamented Carlos I) when I went to the city for music. And, yes, I did see Murray's Octet (my ex-wife was mesmerized by Craig Harris, as I recall), Gil's band (on his birthday, after his passing, Anita leaned over to tell me so) and Abdullah Ibrahim. The place was as quiet as a church, and the great man played as if offering us a benediction. Doc Cheatham looking impossibly dapper on Sunday mornings . . . [sigh]. It was always my first stop when I went downtown, and often my last stop, too. Why leave home when everything you need is there? Now I guess I'll call it Sweet Memories.

last time i was there, Benny Golson was playing, so you know it was over a decade ago! after they discontinued nightly jazz, i lost interest, but i'm still very sorry to see the club close. (disclaimer: thought i should mention that i live 3,000 miles from the club!)

I remember a memorable night there in the 90s--I was there to see Art Farmer (who sounded great in spite of being in the last years of his life)... as the band was finishing its last set, a big limo pulls up, and out hops this slick-dressed guy in a white silk suit and dreadlocks--Cecil Taylor! And Cecil settles in at the bar for an extended chat with someone (featuring his skeptical assessments of some famous jazz "stars."). And Doc Cheatham's Sunday gigs! And Billy Harper! And Mal Waldron! Sad...

This is truly sad news. I spent a lot of hours at Sweet Basil in the 1980's. Gil Evans Monday Night Orchestra was, IMO, one of the best small big bands to ever grace the stage of any NYC club. And I was in my 20's then, ravenous for great jazz that could be found there, 7th Avenue South (the Brecker Bros. club), the Village Gate... and all those great haunts are gone now.

We are much, much poorer for this loss.