Jazz Record Store

[Jazz Kat]

Has anyone ever been to the Jazz Record Store in Manhattan? I think it should just be called the Jazz Store since there are so much more than records. But the records are the best part. I took a trip to the JRS yesterday. I had been there once before. Maybe a little overpriced, but well worth it. Rows and rows of great jazz lp's. If anyone's ever in NY, they should stop by. I walked out with some Modern Jazz Quartet, Jim Hall, Bobby Hutcherson, and Gerry Niewood. Next to Amoeba in Hollywood, this place is heaven! They also have just about every issue of Downbeat ever made. Anybody else ever go?

[frank m]

Can you tell me where it is in Manhattan,please??

[J Larsen]

Jazz Record Center - 26th btwn 7th and 8th. I've been a few times but not too often as it is slightly out of the way, the weekend hours aren't very good, and the prices are usually pretty high. But it is a cool spot as a museum if nothing else.

[brownie]

It's at 236 West 26st Street. This is their website.

Amazing store but it can be tough on the wallet!

Ed. to add:

I see JLarsen beat me to it! But he is from New York!

Edited June 10, 2007 by brownie

[Dan Gould]

He does want "collector's" prices on most stuff but its a cool way to blow an hour or two looking through the merchandise. Way back when, he was a good source for Japanese BN vinyl on things that you never figured would see the light of day on CD. I also recall a promotion he ran where a $100 purchase got you a set of Herman Leonard "Images of Jazz" posters - Miles, Bird, and Monk. I spent so much he gave me two of each. One set went to Sally White of Sally's Place in Westport, CT and the other has been hanging over my desk ever since.

[kh1958]

I've been there--a great store. In fact, on my last trip to New York, I went three times. It is a little hard to find if you haven't been there before (it's closer to 8th Avenue and on the 8th floor, with no exterior sign).

Edited June 10, 2007 by kh1958

[kh1958]

Actually--their prices on CDs are better than the usual retail outlets in alot of cases--many CDs are $10--the Classics label is only $13, for example (the best price I've ever found in the U.S).

And they also have vintage LPs that are reasonably priced--I bought five 60s era Prestige and Riversides for only $15 each, for example.

They also have the best collection of jazz books and discographies I've ever seen.

[sidewinder]

Amazing store but it can be tough on the wallet!

True words.

Last time I was in there I came out with two nice Norgran Tal Farlows.

Like a moron though I passed on the Billy Bauer 'Plectrist'. Regretted it ever since.

[sidewinder]

They also have the best collection of jazz books and discographies I've ever seen.

And they will ship these overseas, if required. The list of what is available is on their site.

[Guest donald petersen]

definitely not one of my favorite places in nyc to go shopping for jazz LPs!

pricey and i like a place with a turntable where you can take a listen.

[clifford_thornton]

He will play-grade stuff for you.

I like dealing with Fred, even if the prices are sometimes high. They're high everywhere for used LPs, no?

[kh1958]

The prices at that store on Bleeker Street sure seem higher.

[Guest donald petersen]

only an utter fool would shop at bleecker street bobs, though.

Edited June 11, 2007 by donald petersen

[J Larsen]

I dunno... I got McCoy Tyner - Cosmos there for $8 in mint condition about 5 years ago. I also saw enough Buck Clayton CBS records to replicate the majority of the Mosaic for about $3/piece there earlier today...

[kh1958]

I like to look there anyway--it's a good place to browse for a little while before going to the Village Vanguard, Sweet Rhythm, Smalls, or the 55 Bar.

[blind-blake]

The owner, Fred Cohen, is a really nice guy.

[Guest donald petersen]

in lieu of supporting the scum who runs bleecker street bobs, you could check out subteranean records, around the corner by that karavas place greek spot up a block from the IFC theater.

[J Larsen]

I realized last night that I was really thinking of Bleecker St. Records when I said BS Bob's. BS Bob really is ridiculous... I had no idea my Treacherous 3 LP would be worth $450 even if I were to run it over with a truck...

I've been going to Subteranean for many years - maybe 10. The selection is not what it once was, but it is still a cool shop. I think ebay has hurt their business a lot. BTW, they have an original pressing of One Step Beyond in the bins right now, but the cover is pretty chewed up and there are at least two unidentified species of fungi growing on it. Only $25, though - I have to admit I thought about it for a second...

[Jazz Kat]

Okay, so can we name all the places to get jazz vinyl? JRS, Bleeker Bobs.. what else.

[Guest donald petersen]

why are you naming bleecker street bobs. we just said not to go there!

[Guest donald petersen]

but not in a pretentious way but because you will be paying max money for crappy condition LPs.

jarsen, i like bleecker street records also but is it still open down there? its so gross going through those records and so many are in terrible condition but there were always cheaply priced gems in those bins.

[J Larsen]

but not in a pretentious way but because you will be paying max money for crappy condition LPs.

jarsen, i like bleecker street records also but is it still open down there? its so gross going through those records and so many are in terrible condition but there were always cheaply priced gems in those bins.

Yes, I was there yesterday. They had a thick collection of Buck Clayton jam records, which I passed on. I didn't notice anything else. They used to always have a bunch of Impulse vinyl, but not lately - I think that stuff all goes straight to ebay. Their punk/indie vinyl section is still pretty good, if you're ever looking for that. For instance, they have just about all the SST that you could ever want for about $10/album, which is about what they cost in, oh, 1992...

[clifford_thornton]

And if it were all the Homestead, Blast First! and New Alliance vinyl I could ever want, you bet I'll start walking there now!

[J Larsen]

Man, once upon a time I had every worthwhile (IMO) record on all those labels. Sold off the collection to fund college expenses (kept all the minutemen records, though - couldn't bear to part with them even though it's almost all on cd).

The one thing on Homestead that I always wanted but never got was Volcano Suns/Bright Orange Years. I still half heartedly look for that one whenever I flip through the bins.

[michel1969]

The owner, Fred Cohen, is a really nice guy.

Yes, right. Bought many rare records from him (mail order) and still have most of them. Fred always takes time to talk by phone, i appreciate that. Not so expensive, just priced accordingly.