Jazz at Marjorie Eliot’s

I loved loved loved the sprit of this amazing lady. It’s very unique and Ohh soooo New York to listen to jazz in someone’s home.
It was more soft jazz though that day which happened to be my least favorite but still it’s just amazing experience.

It was a sunny and probably the last warm Sunday before winter comes. My friends and I spent a wonderful afternoon at Ms. Marjorie Eliot’s historic apartment in Washington Heights. The door opened at 3pm, where a small, diverse crowd people already gathered in the cheerful living room, including neighbors in the building, local New Yorkers and smart tourists who followed guidebooks. Ms. Eliot started the session with piano, joined by equally talented musicians who sang, played cello and trumpet. The room was filled with kindness, warmth and passion. It was an intimate moment where friends, strangers and the neighborhood connected. It was what living in a city was all about. Ms. Eliot was also super nice by offering us light snacks and juice, she was the cutest old lady ever! She just wanted to bring people together by sharing her music in her living room and had been doing it for years. Thanks you Ms. Eliot for accepting us as her «family» and let us become a part of this joyful jazz tradition!
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Went there about 5 years ago. Really lovely afternoon. One of those rare New York City experiences for people who seek out off the beaten path events.

Hard for me to put into words how fantastically unique this is. All I will say is if you have the opportunity to spend a couple of hours at Ms. Eliot’s apartment on a Sunday afternoon, do it. It is well worth it. One of those «Only in NY» types of experiences. I am fortunate enough to live only a subway ride away, but even if you are a metro-​area resident, do yourself the favor of making the trip to Washington Heights to see this.

This was an amazing experience and felt so welcomed by Marjorie and her son in their home. Nothing like this in NYC and am planning on going back.

Un seul mot: AMAZING.
Dimanche à New York, n’hésitez plus. Foncez, vous né le regretterez pas.

Just amazing! Coming from Europe and thinking about NYC I have never thought about this experience! As a tourist you normally see all the tourist stuff, the famous sites, buildings, museums etc. but we read about this jazz concert and decided to go and what an experience this was! I can only recommend this to everyone going to NYC. So warm and welcoming it was so intimate in Marjories little apartment and the music was just fantastic!

This is one of the most special events in the entire city! I’ve been going to Marjorie’s ‘concerts’ for about 10 years now, and often bring out-​of-​town guests. Going to Marjorie’s is like going to church. ;-) …not that I’m religious or anything but… I always feel so happy after being there… like everything in the world is just all right!
Marjorie is one of the most special people on the planet… she’s a force, a beautiful soul, a talent, and more. I feel honored when she actually recognizes and says ‘hello’ to me now at her shows. ;-)
Generally Marjorie plays the piano, and she has anywhere from 3 – 5 other musicians. Sometimes you’ll get treated by a gospel-​type singer, and another time we heard some awesome spoken word.
Her concerts always attract a great crowd of people… always very nice and welcoming and open-minded…a mix of locals and (mainly) tourists who somehow manage to hear of her event.
I love how half-​way through the show they’ll have a short break, and Marjorie and/​or her ‘assistant’ will come around with a little plastic tray of fruit punch and cookies, granola bars or similar. So sweet!
I like to make a day of it, going to Marjorie’s, and then dining afterwards at either Sylvia’s or Pisticci in Harlem.

I’ve lived in New York for 10 years, and this was far and away one of the most amazing things I’ve ever done here. Great mixed crowd, incredibly welcoming hosts and terrific jazz, gospel and piano solos! At intermission they served apple juice and cookies and everyone was loving it. I feel like writing a poem about this day, or a short story, its just that warm and wonderful.
For a perfect Sunday, go first to Charles Country Pan Fried Chicken and have a nice lunch and then get to Marjorie’s early to get a good seat.