Cezanne

How did I not know about such a phenomenal live jazz venue? Small venue that packs a punch, for sure. The talent is amazing, the wine keeps you warm. The atmosphere is the Goldilocks of jazz– dim enough, just casual enough, and the air holds this almost-​tangible reverence when the music starts to play.

Finally, authentic jazz by a gifted singer and outstanding backup musicians! Daniellle Reich and the Gypsy Swing Quintet provided a evening of selections and authentic jazz. I have been here serval times over the years and find this place and Ovations, and 4212 are the best real authentic Jazz spots in the city. This space here is pretty tight so you have to get there early to get a good seat… It all depends on the entertainment but this place attract real professional musicians…

This came in as a recommendation from friends. Great jazz music and drinks for a evening out.

OK so we went for the music. I have been searching for a good piano room type venue for a while and this might be it. The people who run the place are a little uptight about the time they let you sit down. As the other reviews stated they have limited seating the venue is very close. The 4 piece Jazz Band we watched was good but in an effort to show how in to the music they were they had a tendency to OVER emote. Alone any of these guys would have been worth the price of admission. The problem was that the venue is small so the music volume did not need to be amplified but it was as a result it appeared as if every member was trying to play a solo all the time in every song but I think with a good sound tech they might sound awesome. Or Maybe just turn off the amps and go «OLD SCHOOL» like they claimed to be. The drinks were priced right for the venue I attached my receipt to prove it. It seats about 50 or 60 and the one waitresses works her butt off to get everything for everyone so don’t forget to tip. The band changes alot so don’t let one band dissuade you from attendance. The crowd is mostly over 40 but the ballance consists of a range from 22 to 70 and there is as always one ASS who has to call out corrections or talk to the band like he owns them. So welcome to a civilized society.

Went here on a Friday night hoping for a good live jazz show and that is exactly what I got! The place is small and intimate which makes the mood perfect for an evening of listening to live music. We were lucky enough to be entertained by Woody Witt/​Joe LoCascio Quartet. I thoroughly enjoyed the band — you can see the passion the musicians had for their work and that is what makes it so enjoyable.
Drinks are ³⁄₅. I’d suggest grabbing drinks before or after.
Can’t wait to visit this joint again!

Came here on a Saturday evening to watch a live jazz band with a group of friends, If you want to have a good seat, you have to come here EARLY as seats are limited. You can’t be standing in the way, only unless you’re going ordering a drink at the bar. I don’t love jazz music, but being in a live and dimly lit setting with a good crowd makes you appreciate how good other genres of music really are. I didn’t order any food that night, but just a few beers. My friend had a black coffee with Bailey’s cream.
Parking: ²⁄₅ you have to get real lucky, or park a block away via curbside
Music: ⁵⁄₅
Atmosphere: 4.5÷5
Seating: ³⁄₅ get here early or you’re out of luck!

You don’t have to be a Jazz aficionado to know what good music is. I’m not into Jazz myself as I find the beats to be repetitive after a while, but I do appreciate talented musicians and the work ethic involved with their performances.
The venue is small so you should get there early when the doors open at 8:30 and don’t think about getting there at 8:20 or 8:25 they will kick you out, like they did to me. It was only ten minutes! There is a cover charge which you can add to your bar tab, which runs about $ 10.
The first time I went there the place was packed and there was no room for people as many patrons crowded around the door to just listen. We weren’t charged a cover fee. The second time I went there early there was so much more room and once the first set was done half the crowd left, which was the complete opposite of my last visit, where it just kept getting more crowded. I couldn’t tell you why that was. The vocalist was well trained and the musicians were talented, so it may be a result of bigger Jazz names and enthusiasts wanting to see the performance. The last time I went to Cezanne my impression was that many people were there for the experience of listening to a live jazz ensemble as opposed to hard core jazz fans, which is what I encountered the first time I went to Cezanne’s.
You can order food from the Black Labrador, but you get charged more. They also have a wide drink menu from fun martini cocktails to hot tea, which is what I was ordering as I didn’t feel 100% that day.
If you’re a jazz fan you should love this place. If you’re of the sort who wants to experience new things, or smaller intimate venues with musicians then it wouldn’t hurt for you to come by and check out Cezanne for yourself. You may not leave as a new found jazz fan, but you’ll at least enjoy your time there.

Should you happen to take a stroll along the 4100^th block of Montrose, you’re bound to hear rhythmic sounds of music from the outside of the building. If you go inside and follow the stairwell to the 2^nd floor you will discover a door to a small room bursting with tunes from bass & woodwind instruments– all in syncopation to exude the sound of true, live JAZZ! It is inside where you will discover Cezanne…
Another low key jazz spot to add to my list– YES!!! My first time here was this past Friday and I must say I enjoyed myself! I came with a friend who had already been before and had given me the heads up on what to expect prior to coming. First off, this spot is really small. Probably seats about 50 people so that alone sets the scene for an extremely intimate setting. They have about 4 tables right in front where the band plays and the rest of the seats are alongside the walls surrounding the band and at the bar. The bar area is a good size considering how small the room is, but nothing fancy.
The jazz band that was featured the night I came was the Woody Witt Quartet and let me tell you– they were jammin! I was nodding and tapping my foot the entire time. I was all the way here for Woody and his crew, okay! There is no real stage so you will get an «up close & personal» feel like none other. Our table was literally right behind the piano player! A huge plus about Cezanne is the acoustics. Clear sound throughout the whole night! The band kicked off their set at 9PM and then a second set began around 10:45PM. The crowd seems to consist of older adults and the mood is very attentive and focused on the band– not much walking around and movement during sets. Perfect spot for a date or maybe a friend or two who likes a live music scene. Big groups? Not so much, and if that is the case, get here early because seating is limited and fills up quick.
Service was okay. There was only one waitress waiting tables for the night. When I asked for a drink menu she let me know that they didn’t have one but served most cocktails and wines. I opted for a glass of Pinot Noir and after taking a few sips regretted my decision. The wine tasted cheap so I was a little disappointed at that. Next time, I’ll probably just get a cocktail. I think BYOB would work well here and I hope they incorporate it soon.
All in all, this is a cool spot. Because I have such an appreciation for live music, I can see myself coming to Cezanne again. Maybe not on a regular basis, but definitely when I want to wind down and truly engage in a simple, more intimate setting intertwined with some good olé live jazz!

Well, I was only there for about 5 minutes because my boyfriend and I were on a double date and the other couple thought the crowd looked snobby. I would’ve definitely stayed though. Either the band hadn’t started or they were in intermission. Drinks were flowing and the atmosphere seemed cozy!

Listening room environment. This isn’t the sort of place you take a gaggle of girlfriends to gab over cocktails while music plays in the background. It’s an intimate concert environment with table service. Low cover charge in comparison to that of other metropolitan city’s jazz club covers. Black lab menu is available but dining in discouraged. Drinks? Absolutely. Musicians from all over the country perform here along with the local jazz stars on their two open nights: Friday & Saturday. First set starts at 9 and the doors open at 830. Get there early if you’re particular about where you sit. This teeny tiny snack size room fills up quick with a capacity of about 50 people. The cover charge is generally $ 10 with the exception of special event (bigger name) shows.

Cozy spot located upstairs from the restaurant. Jazz music sounded awesome. Just not my style. I was unable to have a conversation with my date. Everyone was just sitting and listening to the duo play. I like a little higher energy.

I like that this place is small and intimate but I was really disappointed with the jazz. I’ve been spoiled by the jazz in NOLA so I guess I can’t really expect the same experience.
There’s only one waitress for the entire place, which is doable if she was actually checking up on customers. I felt like I had to stare and flag her down to get my second drink orders. There is a cover charge of $ 10 which isn’t bad at all.
Those that want to come, make sure you come early. I think we arrived around 8pm and were able to find seats but by 8:45, it is packed.
I do want to try this place again… but I’ll make sure it’s not slow jazz. I was almost put to sleep.

This place could be great. Cozy venue, bar and live jazz in an intimate setting? What could be wrong with that? Well… We spent over $ 75 for 2 drinks and two appetizers. The drinks (a martini and an old fashioned) were literally 2 oz. The smallest martini glass we’ve ever seen. The appetizers were microwaved. There is a $ 10 pp cover (even if you order drinks and food, so not a cover but rather a fee). And the music was a guy singing and playing drums and a lady playing guitar. Truly, I felt we were in cruise ship lounge. Unremarkable music and expensive drinks. But the food would have been better on a cruise, right?

Three reasons for the rating:
1) Great music
2) Super fizzy diet coke
3) Seats that make your butt go numb the instant you sit on them
Great venue, interior dampens the sound well, and you are never too far away to see the band rocking out.

Hidden gem of houston — amazing, very small live jazz music venue, so perfect for a date or relaxing night out. Doors open at 8:30 be sure to get here by 8:40 or you won’t get a seat… Perfect night out :)

I was invited to stop in and hear some jazz on a Saturday night. The place is small, but the acoustics are great. The cover was $ 10 and a diet coke cost me $ 6. I’m not sure of the going rate for diet coke in the Montrose area, but that is ridiculous. The place was packed to standing room only. There is plenty of seating, but you have to get there pretty early. The set was for 9pm and I arrived at 8pm to make sure I was able to sit down. Overall, I really enjoyed myself, but I did not like paying so much for a diet coke with no refills.

I’ve been a fan of Cezanne for about 10 years and usually enjoy shows here but it’s never been an amazing experience with the bar itself. The musicians are often fantastic, and you’re really close to them during their performances (there’s no stage, just a little pocket of the room where the musicians set up and play). Seating can be limited, so show up on time.
They’ve changed something since the last time I was here (around July of last year), and that is that instead of collecting the cover charge at the door, they add it to your bar tab. Not sure when this changed, because it was very easy last year: show up, someone takes your cash at the door, and you were done.
I went to a performance this past weekend and it was a truly crowded room: people squeezed into every little nook available in the small space, and the crowd was generally friendly, with people talking to each other between sets. But when the waitresses divvied up the bar tabs and cover charges attached to the bar tabs, they just willy-​nilly added them onto neighbors’ bills.
I overheard one waitress say: «The girl sitting next to you didn’t pay her cover charge. We are adding it to your bill.»
What?
I asked the person who had the charge added to her bill what was going on, and though she was friends with the lady who had absent-​mindedly skipped out on her bill, she wasn’t responsible for that person in any way.
The at-​the-​door cover charge worked well before; I don’t know why they switched to this confusing model. Even less cool: it takes longer to close out bar tabs because there’s some confusion over payment.

This is where the good jazz is at in town! Located above Black Labrador Pub (head inside and up the stairs), this cozy little wood-​paneled room is where about 50 patrons can enjoy good jazz each weekend night. How good is it? Imagine the scene in «That Thing You Do!» in which Guy is asking Lamar the Bellhop for the good spot in town. Were Lamar in Houston, he would have directed Guy to this place. Furthermore, the musicians that I saw were super friendly and willing to interact with the crowd.
COVER: $ 10
FOOD /​DRINK: Complete bar menu for drinks. Food sounded as if it were only select items from Black Labrador, but we asked for other specific items (Raspberry Trifle — light and yummy!) and were able to get them.
: Non-​Al Yikes-​ovich!: No, Weird Al isn’t here. However, tea and sodas were each $ 5.25. So much for feeling good about DDing.
PARKING: Free at the Houston Public Library. Entrance is off of Montrose Blvd. on Colquitt St.
WHEN TO ARRIVE: Before 8:40pm (even though shows start at 9) or after 10:30pm (the first set.) Most of the people here look at least to be septuagenarians.

Best kept Jazz lover’s secret in Houston. We took my Fiancé’s brother here when he came in from Atlanta & he absolutely loved it. This is basically a jazz «room» where you feel as if you are in the living room of someones home. The demographics are skewed to the older end, but these folks know how to enjoy good music. The appropriate respect is given to the musicians, there is no talking during the performances. I have been here several times and seen some very talented musicians take the stage.

First, the performers were fabbbbbb ~ loved Kim Provost and her band.
Second, the place is teeny tiny, so you truly need to arrive by 8:30ish.
Last the menu is really restricted… so dine before.