Photo dump from what was just the absolute best Saturday I’ve had in awhile. I’m fortunate enough to be helping out as a volunteer research assistant for a friend’s upcoming project (hi @samstephenson12 ) and so I got to spend hours spelunking in microfilms of old issues of @downbeatmagazine (I love this magazine - did you know back in the 50s and 60s it came out twice a month?? I was born in the wrong era) at the amazing @seattlepubliclibrary main branch (worlds prettiest Koolhaas building) and now home with the dogs re-watching a little of my favorite Bill Evans documentary with a perfectly poured Reverse Manhattan. Heaven. ♥️ #jazz #jazzlover #billevans #billevanstimeremembered #seattlepubliclibrarycentrallibrary #supportyourlocallibrary #librariansftw #thebarathavananorthisnowopen #passionpojects
And I didn’t even mention the cocktail! Since it’s a (sort of) holiday, I’m fighting off the Monday Scaries (it’s a thing?) with this fantastic sipper alongside my Evans CDs. This is the Pressure Drop, a lovely libation from the folks at @deathandcompany — Old Tom Gin, dry vermouth, spiced pear brandy and amaro nonino (plus a splash of angostura bitters.) Creamy, a hit of sweet, but very herbaceous (all the juniper!) and booze-forward. Perfect for a winter evening — highly recommended with some great jazz playing alongside. 🧡 #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
This is one of those fantastic recordings that belong in your collection in multiple formats. While not as famous as her first album, First Take (with “First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” on it) - her second album just slays. Listen to that voice on “Do What You Gotta Do,” “Gone Away,” and “Impossible Dream.” Not to mention this album cover shot. One of the 1970s best and one of today’s most underrated vocalists (yes, I said what I said.) if you don’t have this one in your stacks - time for a refresh. #robertaflack #womenvocalists #greatsingers #chaptertwo #rechargingbatteries #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
Thanks to Erik and the amazing folks at @gigharboraudio, who significantly upgraded my stereo system with an introduction to @audionote_uk — my music has never sounded better. And while I mostly post about my vinyl collection, I treated myself to an AudioNote UK 3.1x/II CD player a few months back, and am enjoying it so much. I have some amazing CDs with some very important memories attached to them — like this old but still fantastic copy of Keith Jarrett’s Paris Concert, given to me by someone I loved very much gone far too soon. My CDs have been in storage but unheard for years, and I’m having the best time reconnecting with them. And this CD player, combined with my AudioNote UK Oto Phono SE amplifier and these beautiful AN-E speakers, delivers an audio experience worth savoring. So tonight, with a perfectly poured (if I do say so myself) Boulevardier, that is exactly what I’m doing. Cheers! ♥️ #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailsandvinyl #cocktailsandcds #boulevardier #woodfordreservedoubleoaked #carpanoanticaformula #campari #keithjarrett #parisconcert #audionoteuk #homeaudio #saturdayevening #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
Some Wednesdays feel like a long time coming and a long way to go till Friday. So tonight, I’m recognizing Hump Day with a new (to me) cocktail: Turf Club. This riff on the martini is actually believed to be older than the martini itself, dating from the late 1800s! It’s a lighter, complex and more floral cocktail, made with London dry gin ( #sipsmith FTW), dry vermouth, luxardo liqueur and a touch of absinthe and orange bitters. I like this a lot - it’s got complexity without hitting you over the head with a booze-forward hammer. Perfect to get you through the rest of the week — and in this case, paired with the incomparable Bill Evans’ “Peace Piece” — because longing for peace is, somewhat sadly, always in fashion. ♥️ #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailsandvinyl #billevans #peacepiece #turfclub #sipsmithgin #dryvermouth #luxardomaraschino #absinthe #orangebitters #lemontwist #wednesdaywisdom #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
Today was One Of Those Days. Too many in one year, tbh. So I’m sipping on a Boulevardier now that the workday is finally done, and quietly listening to Bill Evans’ lyrical Skating in Central Park. Because sometimes, that’s literally all you can do. 💜 #work #jazz #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #boulevardier #billevans #jimhall #undercurrent #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
Fending off the Sunday Scaries with a delightfully well-balanced Brooklyn cocktail and some Sonny Rollins. At 93, this iconic sax man won’t be around forever - but his art sure will be. ♥️ #cocktails #cocktailsandvinyl #cocktailsofinstagram #manhattanvariations #jazzlover #jazzrecords #brooklyn #brooklyncocktail #rye #dryvermouth #ramazzotti #bitters #luxardomaraschinoliqueur #sonnyrollins #sonnyrollinsbridge #whereareyou #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
This afternoon was spent almost entirely in a live chat with Amazon IT support trying to resolve a certificate issue on my Mac. After 3.5 hours and two escalation levels, it’s still not resolved so more to do tomorrow (good thing I’m not *actually* working this week, but my laptop will go into “quarantine” (aka Technical Purgatory) at the end of the week if I don’t get it resolved, so we are trying. Agents were super nice; we are just all stumped. So, now that the work is on pause for now, it seems a good time for a cocktail and some vinyl. Tonight I’m savoring a delightfully tart Paper Plane, and enjoying an album I haven’t listened to in awhile. I bought the complete Alan Parsons Project on vinyl a few months back, and am enjoying hearing these with fresh ears after so many years. Given the tech issues today, “I Robot” seemed appropriate. Hey ChatGPT, I wouldn’t want to be like you… Here’s hoping your evening is less full of technical snafus… cheers! #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailsandvinyl #progrock #alanparsonsproject #irobot #wouldntwanttobelikeyou #paperplane #tincupbourbon #aperol #amarononino #freshlemon #techsupportblues #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
What’s even better than happy hour on a Friday? Happy hour on a Friday when your company has a holiday shutdown for the next two weeks! ♥️ It’s been a hell of a year. Some very high highs and some pretty rough lows. But I am so grateful for some time to unwind, spend a little less time staring at computer monitors and a little more time reading, and always, enjoying excellent cocktails and jazz. Tonight it’s the incomparable Vince Guaraldi Trio (I mean, IS there a better Christmas album??) and an espresso martini. Because classy AND festive. Happy holidays, All! ♥️ #cocktails #cocktailsandvinyl #cocktailsofinstagram #vinceguaralditrio #acharliebrownchristmas #espressomartini #festiveaf #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
Hot damn this cocktail is fantastic. I’m christening this “The Savoy Truffle” (with a hat tip to the Beatles) — it’s basically a rum Black Manhattan - equal parts Smith & Cross Rum and Amari, but here I used the wonderfully chocolatey Amaro Nardini, with chocolate bitters to round it out. Garnished with a Luxardo cherry (or three.) Dessert in a glass! Cheers, friends! #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailsandvinyl #beatles #whitealbum #savoytruffle #smithandcrossrum #amaronardini #chocolatebitters #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
So many incredible jazz trios throughout history, but Bill Evans and Paul Motian and Scott LaFaro is, without a doubt, my favorite. Such a short amount of time together but they produced such legendary music. The Village Vanguard sessions are unequaled but I also love this one - one of only two studio albums they made together. Tonight I’m savoring this fantastic pressing with a Hanky Panky - one of the great cocktails from the legendary American Bar at the London Savoy that dates back to the 1920s — a jazz age cocktail for a classic jazz album. Equal parts gin and sweet vermouth, 2 dashes of Frenet Branca. Stir with ice and strain into a cocktail glass, serve with an orange strip. Cheers! #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailsandvinyl #cocktailsandjazz #jazzlover #jazzvinyl #hankypankycocktail #billevans #billevanstrio #paulmotian #scottlafaro #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
Friday night plans: a well-crafted Black Manhattan and this new UHQR edition of #steelydan #aja — all of the vinyl enthusiasts I follow have been raving about this so I decided to splurge given how much I love this album — and wow, it does NOT disappoint. Not every album is UHQR worthy — but this one? WOW. Steely Dan / vinyl enthusiasts- take note!! My favorite cocktail is the Manhattan - it (and its variations) rarely disappoints and is the right way to wrap up a week. My favorite variation is the Black Manhattan, this one with rye and Amaro Sfumato (a wonderfully smoky, complex amaro with almost scotch-like undertones) and chocolate bitters. Here’s to your Friday plans, and whatever they revolve around. ♥️ #cocktails #cocktailsandvinyl #steelydan #steelydanaja #uhqrvinyl #peg #deaconblue #amarosfumato #ryewhiskey #chocolatebitters #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
Sometimes, the only Rx: Miles, and a Manhattan. #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #vinyl #vinyllover #discogs #discogscollection #jazz #jazzlover #miles #milesdavis #milesdavisquintet #itneverenteredmymind #manhattancocktail #bulletrye #puntemesvermouth #woodfordreservebitters #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
I absolutely love this album. Perhaps Marvin Gaye’s most confessional album (and that’s saying something!) “Here, My Dear” has a fascinating backstory. During his divorce from Anna Gordy (Motown’s Barry Gordy’s sister) he was ordered by the court to hand over royalties from his next album. Originally he was as just gonna release a filler garbage album in the hope of not making much money, but instead created this double-album confessional masterpiece with all the drama, jazz, funk, soul, love, heartbreak, anger, vitriol and more. It’s an intense album that didn’t sell well (not really a surprise as this was before reality tv and people weren’t as into dirty laundry then, perhaps, as now) — but it’s aged remarkably, the way I guess we can appreciate all the facets of a relationship, good and bad, with enough distance. Pairing this tonight with the perfect companion cocktail: the Divorce Papers. Created at Seattle’s own Ba Bar, this is perfectly sweet, sour, and bitter as one would expect - gin, Aperol, passion fruit syrup, honey syrup, fresh lime, shaken and served up - no garnish - in a Nick and Nora. Here’s hoping all your endings lead to new beginnings — like Marvin’s did, as referenced in the final track, “Falling in Love Again” — or, if not, that you get some great art out of them. ♥️ #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailsandvinyl #soul #motown #marvingaye #heremydear #heremydearalbum #fallinginloveagain #divorcepapers #divorcepaperscocktail #gin #aperol #honeysyrup #limejuice #passionfruitsyrup #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
Mondays will be Mondays — so tonight I’m unwinding with a White Negroni and this fantastic find from yesterday’s vinyl shopping — the indomitable Eartha Kitt. What an underrated icon — activist (including a pioneer celebrity activist for LGBTQ+ rights), a feminist, and such an under appreciated artist. And a style icon, always. This cocktail, fragrant and light but with bracingly bitter undercurrents, fits her perfectly. And since some friends have long called me Lola (as in short for Lourdes) then I’m pairing “Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets” with this cocktail and raising a glass to the memory of Ms. Kitt. You were and are a badass… may we always be just as fierce. 💛 #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailsandvinyl #mondaycocktails #jazz #jazzlover #vinylcollection #earthakitt #whateverlolawants #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
I haven’t had such a relaxing Sunday in a can’t remember how long. With only a small amount of chores (quick grocery run, couple of laundry loads) I treated myself to a little crate-digging trip at Tacoma’s fine #highvoltagerecordstacoma and picked up some great finds, including this beautiful copy of the incomparable #stevierayvaughan live at Carnegie Hall. Sounds amazing - what a legend. So the smoky weather here in Washington is making way for a Texas Flood here at Havana North…♥️ #vinyl #vinylcollection #stevierayvaughan #srv #stevierayvaughananddoubletrouble #stevierayvaughnanddoubletroubleliveatcarnegiehall #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
Unwinding with a Quiet Word and this fantastic LP from the great Paul Desmond and Jim Hall - what a trio! The Quiet Word is one (of many) riffs on the Last Word, always a favorite but - dare I say it? - almost preferable to me; it replaces the gin with a slightly aged (gold) rum - here I’m featuring Havana Club Añejo 3 años) and the rum really let’s the herbaceous beauty of that (still all too hard to find) green chartreuse shine. It feels just perfect with this album, “Easy Living” - which has never sounded better than on this @audionote_uk system. A lightly bittersweet album and a lightly bittersweet cocktail make for a perfect match on a golden August late afternoon. Cheers! 💚 #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #vinyl #vinyllover #jazz #jazzalbums #pauldesmond #altosax #jimhall #thegoodlife #aquietword #havanaclub3años #greenchartreuse #audionoteuk #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
Well today was interesting - started out as a pretty regular WFH day and finished off with a 3-alarm brush fire at nearby Ft. Steilacoom Park with orders to be ready to evacuate when notified - packed a go bag and waited at the ready, but fortunately the fantastic first responders got it under control before too much damage was done. Now settling the nerves with a Tom Collins and a little King Curtis on the #audionoteuk turntable, but it does make you think - aside from necessary papers/ID/meds/pet food/pet meds — and of course, most importantly, any two- and four-legged family members — what would you grab if you had to evacuate in a hurry? I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think about my stereo and vinyl, impractical though that may be 😂😂 Grateful the damage wasn’t more serious and that no one appears to have been hurt. Be careful out there. ♥️ #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailsandvinyl #kingcurtis #vinyllover #jazz #jazzrecords #ftsteilacoomparkfire #closecalls #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
Golden hour on a hot summer evening calls for Frozen Pimm’s Cups from @nytcooking and a spin of the amazing Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus on vinyl. The camera on my iPhone can’t capture how incredible this @audionote_uk turntable sounds — every day I’m more impressed with this company’s approach to music listening. They’ve got a fan for life now! ♥️ Thank you @gigharboraudio for playing matchmaker and upgrading my vinyl experience to a whole different level. ♥️ #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailsandvinyl #jazz #jazzlover #pimmscup #audionoteuk #audionoteukhifi #gigharboraudio #charlesmingus #mingusmingusmingusmingusmingus #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
After a lovely brunch long overdue with @jenlocati this AM, I had some leftover @larchillvineyard brut and thought I’d wind up a leisurely Sunday (it’s been awhile since I’ve had one of these!) with a French 75 and what is arguably one of the best film soundtracks ever recorded. While I’m a firm believer that any Miles is great Miles, here he’s at his early best — discovering (and simultaneously mastering) a largely-improvised (!!) soundtrack and laying the groundwork for modal jazz for generations to come. I recently picked up this film on DVD and can’t wait to watch it - if it’s half as great as the soundtrack, will be iconic. Here’s hoping your Sunday Scaries are kept at bay, like mine, with a pair of classics in both cocktail and vinyl. Cheers! ♥️ #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailsandvinyl #french75 #larchhillswineryandvineyard #miles #milesdavis #classicjazz #modaljazz #jazzlover #lascenseurpourlechafaud #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
Some Wednesdays have only one solution come 5 PM: cocktails, and Aretha. ♥️ #cocktails #cocktailsandvinyl #cocktailsofinstagram #elevatedcraftshaker #elevatedcraftcrew #itsmylastwordcocktail #gin #freshlime #stgermaine #yellowchartreuse #grapefruitbitters #queenofsoul #aretha #arethafranklin #soulserenade #thatsduaneallman #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
Mom’s mailbox gave up the ghost; the post rotted out finally (it was probably 30-40 years old at this point) - so, with the help of the right tools (thanks @herr_rennwgn !) I did the thing - dug out the remaining rotted post, dug the new hole, bought and assembled a new box, and used the quick-concrete foam thing (amazing!) to get her back in business. Digging post holes is something I can probably do without in my life, but the job is done and done (reasonably) well — came home, did loads of laundry, AND managed to make my first of the summer’s Tomato Pie (thanks as always to the inimitable Laurie Colwin) — now, freshly showered, am refreshing this sore old bod with a Paper Plane cocktail and a listen to the exquisite Nick Lowe album. This cocktail seems like a perfect match to “Cruel to be Kind” - a little bitter, a little sour, but full of irrepressible joy nonetheless - like this perfectly-crafted pop song. ♥️ Cheers! #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailsandvinyl #paperplanecocktail #nicklowe #crueltobekind #labouroflust #lauriecolwin #tomatopie #handywoman #postholedigger #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
Old-Fashioned Jazz Fusion calls for Old Fashioned cocktails. How one Wednesdays. ♥️🥃 #cocktails #cocktailsandvinyl #patmetheny #lylemays #asfallswichitasofallswichitafalls #oldfashionedcocktail #fourrosesbourbon #audionoteuk #projectturntables #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
Oooh today it’s back to work, and after a long day of meetings and catching up on slacks and emails, it’s #cocktailsandvinyl time! Tonight’s unseasonably chilly weather has me hankering for a Dubonnet No 2 — very similar to the famous Dubonnet No 1 (also known as the Queen’s cocktail in honor of the late QE2’s preference for it) but instead, equal parts gin and Dubonnet with the addition of some fresh lemon juice, and shaken with ice and served on the rocks. The lovely dark salmon color and balance of bitter, herby and slightly citrus will warm you up nicely from the inside! Pairing this tonight with a recently-acquired favorite from the incomparable Dave Brubeck Quartet, Time Further Out. This album from 1961 continues the group’s unusual time explorations, and is a meditation on the Blues as well as being inspired (much like Time Out was) by modern art. And if that gorgeous Miró on the cover doesn’t grab you, the gentlemen’s’ solid innovations on the vinyl certainly will. Hard to pick a single outstanding track here, but I’m pairing this cocktail with the beautiful “Bluette”(3/4 time) and it’s lovely Paul Desmond solo. If you’re a fan of Cool Jazz, find a copy of this one. And let me know how you think the cocktail matches up — I think it’s a perfect fit. Cheers! ♥️ #cocktails #cocktailsandvinyl #cocktailsofinstagram #vinyl #vinylcollection #jazz #jazzlover #cooljazz #davebrubeckquartet #timefurtherout #miroreflections #pauldesmond #dubonnetnumbertwo #sipsmithgin #dubonnet #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
I guess it’s not *really* summer yet - but I’m in the school of “summer starts at Memorial Day” and I’m standing by it. Plus it’s really warm today (by PNW standards) so I’m wrapping up this midweek with a suitably summery cocktail. This is the Ginger Collins — gin, in this case Old Hollywood Gin - fresh lemon juice, and Domain de Canton ginger liqueur- plus crushed ice and a slice of lemon for garnish. Some recipes call for simple, but I’m a fan of less sweet/more tart here. It’s a perfect summer sipper (unless you get your proportions wrong and then beware — but the less said of that, the better.) Tonight I’m pairing this with the incomparable Ms Roberta Flack and her cover of the great Mr. Cohen song “Suzanne” — it’s (wonderfully) on her excellent “Killing Me Softly” LP (which — if you don’t have that in your vinyl stash — why!? Who hurt you!??) - but today I’m recommending her incredible live cover (check it out on YouTube) from 1975. It will remind you why she’s one of the most underrated vocalists around. Listen, soak up some sun if you have it, and enjoy. ♥️ #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailsandvinyl #gingercollins #oldhollywoodgin #domaindecantongingerliqueur #freshlemon #clubsoda #robertaflack #leonardcohen #suzanne #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
Hello friends! It’s been a minute since I’ve done a #cocktailsandvinyl post, but I found myself thinking about two of my favorite things between meetings on this Monday: Leonard Cohen, and a Negroni. So tonight I’m sipping this always-sublime cocktail (I like @sipsmith and @campariofficial and @puntemes_it in equal parts, over a big rock and with an orange twist) while listening to Mr. Cohen’s final album (released during his life) “You Want it Darker.” I love this album. Mr. Cohen’s voice, always perfection, aged like a perfect scotch over the years, and his sparse treatment of “Treaty” is close to perfection — a mix of longing and love with something larger than ourselves. His age and weariness is here, yes, but also his virility and his strength and always his wry humor. I miss Leonard Cohen. And I miss Mr. Timothy Jones, my comrade in arms in all things Cohen. But, with both of them, I choose to push past the grief of loss and instead to be awed and grateful that I had the opportunity to have them in my life and connect with them when I did. I’m not a religious person, but HOLY FUCK am I looking forward to hanging out with them both together whenever my time’s up! ♥️ Sending love and gratitude out into the void for both of you, and for all my friends reading — cheers! #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailsandvinyl #mondaymotivation #leonardcohen #youwantitdarker #negroni #slipsmithgin #campari #puntemes #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
I have so many fond memories of the music of Thatcher-era UK, but a special place in my heart is forever reserved specifically for 2-Tone — the music, the aesthetics (I can STILL rock a black and white houndstooth miniskirt with black tights and my black and white Doc loafers!!) — the multicultural love child of reggae and punk/new wave will forever be my happy place, so tonight I’m fighting the midweek blues with some just-acquired vinyl from The Specials. Along with Madness and the Beat, these were some of my happiest dance tunes of my youth. Pairing this tonight with a Paper Kamikaze, which is essentially a Paper Plane (always a hit here at Havana North) made with Rum instead of Bourbon. I’m using Smith and Cross here, because it’s beautifully mellow and appropriately Jamaican. But it’s a slugger, so no speeding off on your Vespa if you choose to indulge! Cheers, mates! #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailsandvinyl #ska #2tone #2tonerecords #thespecials #amessagetoyourudy #waltjabsco #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
The worst part about getting older is losing your heroes. Wayne Shorter lived to 89 - a full, rich life and an incredibly long one by jazz icon standards. But his absence leaves a deep hole nonetheless. Thinking about posting a tribute tonight had its challenges — the Art Blakey Jazz Messengers years? The Miles Davis Second Quintet years? What about Weather Report? Of course there were incredible Blue Note albums, and the sax solos he provided Joni Mitchell, Carlos Santana and Don Henley, among others. He also had an incredible quartet in the early 2000s and the opera he composed with Esperanza Spaulding. What a genius. What a life. I finally settled on the iconic “Speak No Evil” LP, recorded in 1964 on Blue Note when he was playing with Miles’ group. I think it’s an absolute cornerstone of hard bop, and should be in every jazz fan’s collection. Tonight, it’s on repeat as I raise a glass to one of jazz music’s true innovators — rest easy, Mr. Gone. The See No Evil - a tiki-inspired cocktail by Anders Erickson. Mezcal, lime juice, orgeat, Tabasco. Shaken with crushed ice and poured in a double-old fashioned with a angostura bitters float. Spicy, smokey, tart, lightly sweet — a complex drink for a man who made the complex feel beautifully simple. Cheers. #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailsandvinyl #jazz #jazzmusic #jazzlover #jazzicons #mrgone #wayneshorter #speaknoevil #bluenoterecords #seenoevil #anderseriksson #mezcal #orgeat #limejuice #tabasco #angosturabitters #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
Paper Planes Ellington and Coltrane: In a Sentimental Mood (Impulse! Records, 1963.) Monday Night Perfection. #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailsandvinyl #inasentimentalmood #dukeellington #sirduke #johncoltrane #trane #impulserecords #paperplanecocktail #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
A slightly-snowy Thursday requires a little something extra - and this cocktail fits the bill! This is the “Great Silence” from Isaac Shumway of California Gold in San Rafael, CA. Mezcal, Campari, fresh lime juice, orgeat, and a few dashes of maraschino liqueur. What a fantastic cocktail - smoky, complex, bitter, sweet - perfectly balanced. This one will be going into heavy rotation. Appropriately, this album has ALSO been in heavy rotation: the late Chick Corea classic “Now He Sings, Now He Sobs” is just a classic - almost any jazz fan I know has it somewhere in the record cabinet (speaking of which - @redjacketmine photo 2 is of the new cabinet! ♥️) and it’s just a classic of jazz trio improvisation. I feel lucky to have been born into a time when Chick Corea was making music - I only wish it had lasted longer. ♥️ #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailsandvinyl #chickcorea #nowhesingsnowhesobs #jazzalbums #jazzclassics #greatsilencecocktail #isaacshumway #californiagold #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
It’s been a minute, hasn’t it? The middle of a crazy week (more on that soon) - but tonight I’m celebrating the arrival of my new vinyl cabinet from the amazing team at @divider_records — a beautiful piece of furniture well worth the wait, although sadly it’s already full (not sure what this says about my vinyl habit!) I’m toasting this new addition with a couple of old favorites, the timeless aviation cocktail and the equally timeless (but much harder to acquire) vinyl copy of “Cafe Bleu” from The Style Council, circa 1984. This album made such an impression on me back then - it was pretty daring to leave the prescribed world of pop and rock and go into something new entirely, blending soul and jazz with smart lyrics and irresistible hooks. “My Ever Changing Moods” and “You’re the Best Thing” hold up remarkably well, almost 40 years (!!) later. But then, Paul Weller was always ahead of his time. Here’s hoping that the inspirations of your youth still hold up as well as some of mine do — and as always, much love to you all. 💜 #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailsandvinyl #wendsdaymotivation #aviationcocktail #1984music #paulweller #stylecouncil #myeverchangingmoods #yourethebestthing #classicpop #newwave #cafebleu #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
Yesterday was the 40th anniversary of Karen Carpenter’s death. One of my favorite vocalists ever - her contralto is instantly recognizable and completely unforgettable - she is an icon who is sadly remembered for her death from anorexia nervosa instead of her incredible talents, both as a singer and as a fantastic drummer. While in retrospect her death raises awareness - much needed - about eating disorders and body dysmorphia - it’s a tragedy that this incredible talent left us so soon. So tonight I’m raising a glass to that amazing voice and the amazing spirit behind it. This cocktail - the carajillo, popular across Latin America and Spain (but some believe to have originated in Cuba!) was recommended to me by my dear friend @jflieller89 - who never leads me astray when it comes to cocktails! - pointed me to this version, an equal mix of espresso and Mexican Licor 43 (a fantastic sweet vanilla-citrus flavored liqueur) shaken with ice and double strained over a large ice cube and garnished with a little orange zest. The combination of strength, warmth, and sweetness seem like a perfect compliment to a voice that equally reflects those characteristics, and so many more. ♥️ #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailsandvinyl #sundaysippers #carajillococktails #licor43 #espresso #carpenters #karencarpenter #ineedtobeinlove #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
Hello friends! I’ve got a fun one for us this Friday evening. This album, Free Blown Jazz from 1959, features clarinetist Tony Scott with some fantastic company - among them the great Paul Motian on drums and my guy Bill Evans on piano - and, for some folks that were best known for more of a cool jazz sound, they’re surprisingly jumping on this album! This is a rarity and it’s a hard vinyl to find, but SO worth it. In fact, I don’t know many folks who have heard this album (at least not this original from the 50s) so if you come across it, let me know what you think! It will be in heavy rotation at Havana North, let me tell you. An underrated album deserves an underrated cocktail pairing - so tonight I’m sipping The Cardinale - a variation on the Negroni, but a little lighter, made with gin, Campari, and Mosel wine (I used a nice dry Mosel Riesling here.) garnished with a clove-studded orange peel, it’s the perfect pairing for this album.. the overall balance is so good - a little sweetness from the Mosel plays nicely with the bitter from the Campari, and the gin, orange and cloves all come together to make something special. And we all deserve a little something special on a Friday night, no? Cheers! ♥️ #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailsandvinyl #jazz #jazzvinyl #jazzlover #discogs #tonyscott #jimmyknepper #billevans #paulmotian #freeblownjazz #thecardinale #negronivariations #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
I’m not much of a New Year’s Eve person - I don’t enjoy the crowds and the expense and the amateurs at the bars, so instead I celebrate the end of a year and the beginning of another at home - and tonight, the last Cocktail and Vinyl post of 2022. This year has been a hell of a ride. Some very high highs and some really low lows. I’m grateful for the privilege of riding through and surviving all of it, but am more than ready to turn the page to a new year. Tonight I’m listening to the late great Chris Cornell and his album of covers, “No One Sings Like You Anymore.” This limited-edition vinyl comes in an amazing neon orange heavy vinyl, and the sound on my turntable does justice to this incredible voice. This album is full of beautiful, unique covers - but his version of Nothing Compares 2 U will forever give me goosebumps- it’s just haunting. Although this is a sad song, for things lost in 2022, I’m pairing it with a cocktail that symbolizes how I’m hoping to go into 2023 — with joy, with intention, and with optimism. The Optimist Cocktail. Bacardi rum, Fino Sherry, Fresh Lime Juice, Demerara Sugar syrup, Peychaud’s Bitters. Light and well-balanced, this is a deceptively simple cocktail with a lot going on - layers of flavor while not hammering you over the head with booze. It tastes like fresh starts, gratitude, and an open heart. Happy New Year, friends. ♥️ #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailsandvinyl #goodbye2022 #hello2023♥️ #chriscornell #nobodysingslikeyouanymore #nothingcompares2u #optimism #optimistcocktail #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
In this weather, there’s only 1 drink that makes sense to me. Slàinte! 🥃 ❤️ #scotch #scotchwhisky #aberlourdistillery #aberlourabunadh #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
It’s the Friday before the holiday break — yay! — so tonight we have a fun little bundle. I’m cooking tonight - inventing my own version of a Spanish bean stew a la Fabada, but with a twist - and sipping on what promises to be a new favorite cocktail and listening to some new vinyl. Trifecta! First, the cocktail - this one’s called “The Smoke Also Rises” - it’s a variation on my beloved Hemingway Daiquiri, with the addition of some Amaro Sfumato to get that delicious smoke undertone. Highly recommend!! I’m pairing this with a fabulous copy of the Dave Brubeck Quartet’s album “Brubeck Time” from 1954. At the time, Paul Desmond (who purportedly had quite the crush on Audrey Hepburn) was playing a few blocks in NYC from where she was appearing in a show. He’d take intermission and pop over to watch her leave the theatre, and would play a song he later named “Audrey” for her (it’s on this album.) He never knew she heard it, and he died in 1977. When Hepburn died in 1993, her widower asked Brubeck to play the song at her memorial service. He was surprised that she knew of it - and her husband said “it was her favorite song, she listened to it every night before she went to bed.” Here’s hoping Desmond and Hepburn got to share a dance somewhere in the great Jazz Club in the Sky. ♥️ As for my stew - well, I’ll have to post my results when it’s finished, but I have high hopes inspired by this great would-be love story. ♥️ Here’s wishing you all a great cocktail, a warming meal, and a little romance this time of year. Cheers! ♥️ #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailsandvinyl #jazz #jazzalbums #jazzlover #davebrubeckquartet #pauldesmond #brubecktime #audrey #audreyhepburn #unrequitedlovestory #thesmokealsorisescocktail #hemingwaydaiquiri #amarosfumato #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
Tonight I’m continuing with the break-in period of my #sumikoamethyst cartridge - I’m sitting here listening to this album, which was the second Bill Evans album I bought (after Everybody Digs Bill Evans) but has evolved to being one of my favorites. This first trio - with a Scotty LaFaro on bass and Paul Motian on drums - is, in my opinion, arguably the greatest jazz trio ever. Certainly my favorite, and that’s including the incredible Keith Jarrett Standards trio with Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette - certainly an incredible trio in their own right. I feel like this album is sort of the ultimate flex (along with Sundays at the Village Vanguard) when three great musicians were perfectly in synch, at the height of their creative powers, and chomping at the bit to explore new musical territory. The great tragedy is that all of them are gone now, to be sure — but what a gift of music they left behind. To my ears, Evans’ music is always a little sad or wistful, so I’m pairing this record tonight with a new (to me) cocktail — Amarros and Sorrows. It blends Italian red bitter liqueur with my favorite — Sfumato Amarro— and some simple, lemon juice, pineapple juice, and an egg white. It’s surprisingly balanced and not overly sweet at all - the bitter red takes care of that - with the smoky undertones of a late night jazz club back in 1961, when this album was recorded. Oh, to have seen them live! ♥️ #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailsandvinyl #jazz #jazzlover #vinylcollection #billevanstrio #billevans #paulmotian #scottlafaro #billevanstrioexplorations #amarrosandsorrows #sfumatoamaro #luxardobitterrosso #projectdebutcarbonpro #sennheiserheadphones #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
My friends, I have a treat for you tonight! My holiday gift to myself this year was an upgraded cartridge for my turntable - while the Sumiko Rainier cartridge that comes with the Pro-Ject Debut Pro is a solid cartridge, I upgraded to the Sumiko Amethyst cartridge and it’s SO impressive. A really rich, warm sound yet muscular in the bass - and this is just the first playing! I’m looking forward to seeing how this warms up! In honor of this new cartridge, I broke out my yet-unplayed test pressing (!!!) of Bill Evans Trio Live at Town Hall. What a beautiful sounding album. Classic later Bill Evans, full of his fragility, introspection, and heartbreak. This calls for something special on the cocktail front. So tonight I concocted my own — one of my favorite Evans albums was his last, “You Must Believe in Spring,” where he delivers an incredible version of the theme From M*A*S*H, known as “Suicide is Painless.” (when Evans would introduce the song by that name, he’d always pause, smile, and add “Debatable.”) Dark humor aside, the track is in a league of its own, so tonight my cocktail is a riff on the Manhattan I’m calling “Suicide is Painless” — Angel’s Envy Bourbon, Vermouth de Torino, Amaro Sfumato, Black Walnut Bitters. Garnish with a Luxardo cherry, and sip on its rich, slightly bittersweet, smoky depths while your favorite standard spins on the turntable. ♥️ #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailsandvinyl #projectturntable #sumikoamethyst #billevans #billevanstrio #billevansattownhall #suicideispainless #angelsenvybourbon #cocchivermouth #amarosfumato #blackwalnutbitters #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
Tonight’s cocktail - from the always-delightful @nickelmoon — is definitely a keeper. She calls it “Toffee” and it’s a potent blend of rye, Amaro Montenegro, vermouth de Torino, maraschino liqueur and chocolate bitters. What you end up with is complex, rich, balanced and something that should be sipped slowly - because it packs a hammer but ALSO so you can get those amazing flavors to mingle. Perfect for a quiet evening with a book and a warm fire inside and snow outside. Pairing this one tonight — quite appropriately I think, given that I served it in one of my @bluenoterecords cocktail glasses — with the amazing (and totally under-appreciated) album Merry Ole Soul by Duke Pearson. If you like your holiday music on the jazzier side, this is one (alongside Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Vince Guaraldi) that I highly recommend adding to your collection. #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailsandvinyl #sundaysippers #dukepearson #merryolesoul #jazz #jazzlover #bluenoterecords #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
I’m taking a break from the standard holiday fare for something really special tonight. My latest acquisition is this beautiful box set - the music of the films of John Hughes. Like every other GenXer growing up in the 80s, his movies were absolutely iconic. We all felt so seen in those films the way we’d never been seen before, and Hughes was incredibly inspired by the New Wave music of the time. This box set, with six (!) albums all in glorious red vinyl, take me right back to being 14 and desperately in love with Jake Ryan and rooting so hard for Ducky and Watts. Mr. Hughes’ untimely passing left a hole and a sense of loss for my entire generation. But we still have the films — and the incredible music. So tonight, I’m working my way through mixtape 1, listening to the familiar sounds of Kajagoogoo, Simple Minds, and The Psychedelic Furs. Now I need an appropriately 80s cocktail — but, as those of you who share my love of cocktails know, the 80s were a great time for music but a heinous time for cocktails. Almost everything was suggestively named (wink, wink!) a weird neon color (hello, Blue Curaçao) or used weird sour mixes. But there were some wheat that stood out among the chaff — for example, the Amaretto Sour. Now, if you make it like they did back in the 80s, you’ll probably find it far too sweet. But check out Jeffrey Morgenthaler’s take on the classic recipe (easily available online) and you won’t be sorry. It definitely stands the rest of time. Just like Lick The Tins’ version of Can’t Help Falling in Love. Here’s hoping you’re making time to reminisce in the best of ways with the music that moved you way back when. ♥️ #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailsandvinyl #retrococktails #amarettosour #jeffreymorgenthaler #johnhughes #80smusic #80smovies #lifemovesprettyfast #jakeryanimstillavailable #mewwave #canthelpfallinginlove #lick the tins #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
Snowing again at Havana North — since I got my lights up today, it looks especially pretty (if you zoom in you can see the tree in the window!) To ugh t I’m curled up by the fire sipping on a spiced brown sugar old fashioned and listening to what is perhaps the greatest holiday vinyl of all — the Vince Guaraldi Trio. Pretty much perfect. Hope you’re tucked up with a good cocktail and some great music by a warm fire. ♥️ #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailsandvinyl #charliebrownchristmas #vinceguaralditrio #spicedbrownsugaroldfashioned #christmastimeishere #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
Maybe it was the snow this morning (short-lived) but I’m feeling exceptionally holidayish today — so I’m relaxing by the fire listening to @satchmobulldog ‘s namesake, Mr. Louis Armstrong. If you haven’t watched Ken Burns’ fantastic documentary “Jazz” (and who are you?!?) it’s worth watching, not the least because of the understanding of what this man gave to American music. Now, I have issues with this documentary (everything post 1960 is given short shrift, making it feel like Jazz is not something g that isn’t living and breathing today — and it is!!) but it’s still an incredible view into this most American of art forms, and the contributions made by this man. My dog is named after him in tribute, because few artists have moved me as much with his music and his voice - both of which will carry on as long as there are ears to hear. I’m listening to “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” with the First Lady of American Song herself, Miss Ella Fitzgerald. Mr. Armstrong’s voice is one I’ll forever associate with the joy and wonder of this season — timeless, expressive, and singular. Pairing this with a cocktail requires something simple and classic - tonight, the classic Rye Manhattan, sipped while the chicken and barley soup is on the stove, and warmed with memories of Christmas past. Here’s hoping you all have a warm fireside, good memories, and a cocktail to usher in this magic season. ♥️ #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailsandvinyl #jazz #jazzrecords #louisarmstrong #satchmo #ellafitzgerald #ellafitzgeraldandlouisarmstrong #coolyule #ivegotmylovetokeepmewarm #holidayseason2022⛄️❄️ #ryemanhattan #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
Nothing makes a Monday better than new music!! And this is one I’ve been excited about — this is the 10th Anniversary 2 LP edition of Paul Buchanan’s Mid Air. You may know Buchanan better as the front man of one of my favorite bands, The Blue Nile. While they are on hiatus (permanent? They haven’t released anything since 2004!) but fortunately Buchanan is still crafting beautiful music. These songs (apparently written when he was trying to compose music for Garbage singer Shirley Manson’s solo album, believe it or not) is spare, elegant, and quiet — a perfect late-night listen. If you want something special, this album may just be it! So what cocktail can I serve up that’s just as elegant and spare? Tonight I’m pouring the Fourth Degree— it’s a variation on the Martinez, if you will, with equal parts gin, dry vermouth and sweet vermouth, plus a few dashes of absinthe for balance. Serve well chilled and up, in a coupe with a lemon twist. A little sweet, but plenty complex, with the gin and absinthe delivering some lovely botanicals — it’s also the perfect sandbox for playing with your vermouth variations (if, like me, you have lots of different ones!) Here’s wishing you an evening of elegance, calm, and special music. ♥️ #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailsandvinyl #paulbuchanan #midair #fourthdegree #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
Finished Decking the Halls today — now relaxing with a fantastic Cable Car cocktail while listening to the incomparable @freddiemercury singing “Thank God it’s Christmas” and counting my blessings. Love all of you. ♥️ #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #holidayseason #deckthehalls #solopleasures #cablecarcocktail #freddiemercury #queen #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
Tonight’s #tuesdaytipple is a good one. I finally got my hands on this beautiful repressing of the amazing Trio 64 — here Evans plays with the always-unflappable Paul Motian on drums and the irreplaceable Gary Peacock on upright bass. What a trio! (And no surprise that these were two musicians known for their partnerships with Keith Jarrett also!) with the exception of the first trio (with Motian and Scotty LaFarro) this is maybe my favorite incarnation — Peacock is more than talented enough to enter into the improvisational ring with Evans - as he once said, Evans' "sense of harmony was exquisite... The harmonies, and the way that he would voice the harmonies, made a melody not only believable but [so] you wanted to fall in love with it. And because he played low, whatever the bass played, it could be heard; be an integral part of the music." This album, recorded in December 1963, is seasonally-appropriate as well - among the standards here is an absolutely stunning take on “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” - in a way that can only be exhibited by three jazz masters at perhaps the height of their talents. A perfect way to welcome in the holiday season, if you will. But, like pretty much everything I associate with Bill Evans, tinged with sadness: it pains me that all three of these jazz kings are no longer with us. Tonight, I’m matching this one up with a classic cocktail I don’t see much of anymore — the Tulip, created at the Savoy, I believe, back in the 1930s, features equal parts Calvados and sweet vermouth, accented by fresh lemon juice and apricot liqueur. It’s a fruit bomb, sure, but in the best of ways - the lemon keeps it balanced. Because sometimes the things that aren’t hip or fashionable — whether it’s a cocktail or jazz vinyl — is exactly what you need. ♥️ #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #thetulip #tulipcocktail #savoycocktails #jazz #jazzmusic #jazzvinyl #vinyllover #billevans #billevanstrio #paulmotian #garypeacock #trio64 #jazzgiants #everythinghappenstome #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
This cocktail is called The Fireside, which seemed apropos for the evening where our temps are expected to be dipping into the 20s tonight. Brr! This one’s made with vodka, fresh rosemary muddled in maple syrup and a pinch of salt, and fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice. The honey and rosemary are lovely and the salt pulls it all together beautifully. Enjoying this one while listening to Nick Drake’s “From the Morning” — I’m a huge fan of Mr. Drake’s, and it pains me so much to imagine what great music he might have made if he’d lived longer than his mere 26. His music can be (perhaps unsurprisingly) dark — but this song is all expectant optimism. Because hope and joy can warm the coldest nights, no? Wishing each of you a warm fire and loved ones to share it with. And always, great music. ♥️ #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailsandvinyl #thefiresidecocktail #nickdrake #pinkmoon #fromthemorning #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
In my Thursday Happy Place — listening to @milesdavis playing “Stella by Starlight” (Live at the Plugged Nickel 1965), enjoying a cocktail, and menu planning for a dinner I’m hosting on Saturday. I so appreciate the dear friends that make the trek down to Havana North that I want to feed them especially well - looking forward to this one! The cocktail this evening is a revisit of the Red Hook variation of the Manhattan I enjoyed a few nights ago. On the sage and always-sound advice from my friend Sharon I’m revisiting it with Amaro Montenegro instead of the usual Punt e Mes. While I’m a staunch advocate of PdeM in most cases, she’s absolutely spot-on — the slight spiciness in the Montenegro here is perfect. I’d like to try it again with the Amaro Sfumato too - next time!! But thank you so much @nickelmoon ♥️ Here’s hoping you all have good food, good cocktails, good music, and good friends to share it all with this weekend! Cheers! #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailsandvinyl #menuplanning #hostingfriends #anticipation #redhookcocktail #rittenhouserye #marschinoliquor #amaromontenegro #miles #milesdavis #jazz #stellabystarlight #liveatthepluggednickel #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
Tonight’s #cocktailsandvinyl post is a little bit different. A few weeks ago, a dear friend gave me the gift of this incredible book, “Revolution: The History of Turntable Design” by the incredible Gideon Schwartz. This book is, frankly, a work of art. It’s meticulously researched, with gorgeous photographs and notes of the turntable throughout the ages, from 1857 until the present day. If you love your vinyl, you’ll want this book. What a lovely, lovely gift. I’m flipping the pages here while sipping on a White Negroni (equal parts gin, Suze, and Lillet Blanc.) This is one of those cocktails I don’t think of often, and then when I enjoy one, I always wonder why I don’t drink them more often. It’s bracing (that Suze!) but also beautifully floral, with just hint of sweetness. Really, a lovely little cocktail. I’m serving it tonight in my favorite 1950s coupe, in honor of my favorite turntable (so far!) in this book — this is the Europhon Autuning Turntable - designed in Milan. Isn’t it just gorgeous?? 🧡💛 #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailsandvinyl #revolution #gideonschwartz #phaidonbooks #whitenegroni #suze #hendricksgin #lilletblanc #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
I’ve waxed (somewhat) poetic on the great #jacopastorius before, but tonight I’m listening to what I believe was his last studio recording, with drummer Brian Melvin, 1986’s Jazz Street. This is a lovely turquoise limited and numbered edition, and it sounds amazing. The album definitely feels “of the 80s” when a lot of great jazz fusion was past its heyday, but what’s shocking here is how beautifully alive and electric Jaco’s bass is — and makes his tragic, senseless death at the age of 35 back in 1987 all the more tragic. If you’re a fan of documentaries (as I am) I can’t recommend enough the 2016 bio “Jaco” - it does much to highlight the impact this musical genius (there’s no other word) had, not only in Jazz, but in music altogether- he completely revolutionized the fretless bass. I’m enjoying this album tonight with a cocktail that I don’t even think has a name — it’s just 2 parts rye to one part boiled apple cider syrup, garnished with a cinnamon stick. But it tastes like fall, warming and cozy and maybe a little sad, so it’s a perfect match for this artist and this album. Cheers, friends. ♥️ #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #jazz #jazzlover #vinyl #vinylcollection #discogs #cocktailsandvinyl #jaco #jacopastorius #brianmelvin #jazzstreets #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
Still life with veggies. And a Negroni. And some @lyle_lovett on the turntable. Because Thursday. ♥️ #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cooking #homecooking #cookingastherapy #ottolenghirecipe #eggplants #lylelovett #cocktailsandvinyl #ifihadaboat #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
Unwinding tonight with a listen to the amazing #pauldesmond and #jimhall on the classic “Desmond Blue” album. Released in 1962 (dig this album cover - 1960s perfection!) here Desmond collaborates not only with the great Jim Hall on guitar but with an entire orchestra conducted and arranged by the great Bob Prince (who did arrangements for Jerome Robbins and Johnny Mathis) with lush strings, harp, and woodwinds. This is a great cocktail album in every sense of the word — or, as the kids say today — it has the vibe. Pairing this tonight with one of my favorite riffs on the Manhattan — this is the Red Hook (of Brooklyn fame) - 3 parts Rye, 1 part maraschino liqueur and 1 part Punt e Mes. A fantastic little cocktail, first served at Milk & Honey in NYC in 1999. A lovely pair ♥️ #coxktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailsandvinyl #pauldesmond #desmondblue #redhookcocktail #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
Tonight’s my version of the Corpse Reviver (aka # 1) - replaced the Calvados with spiced pear liqueur, which works beautifully here, for a more autumn-like feel (it’s almost Halloween, after all!) so it’s only appropriate that I name this one after the song I’m listening to, the achingly beautiful “The Curse” by the fantastic @joshritter — a more beautiful love story between a professor and a mummy has never been told. Plus the line “but she’s just one more rag now he’s dragging behind him” gets me every.single.time. If you haven’t heard this song before - OMG get thee to Spotify. Or better yet, see the video on YouTube- it’s exquisite. Thank you, Josh. 🧡 I’m deeply grateful for this one. #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailsandvinyl #corpsereviver #stgeorgespicedpear #thecurse #joshritter #halloween #mummylovesongs #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
Unwinding this evening by listening to a little @joshritter and sipping on a Boulevardier - shout out to the lovely @nickelmoon for giving me the tip about @casamariol and their amazing Vermut Negro - this is a really fantastic vermouth, rich and complex, an absolutely worthy alternative to the usual @anticaformula_official which is my go-to. Fantastic! Salud! #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #boulevardier #woodfordreservebourbon #casamariolvermut #campari #joshritter #itsonlyachangeoftime #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
It’s been a minute, but I’ve got another #cocktailsandvinyl pairing for my friends today. This album, recorded in 2007 but released in 2014, is EXCEPTIONAL. I don’t use the word lightly here. Jarrett and Haden have been playing together off and on since the 1960s, and the warm reverberations of a lifelong friendship show up right here. This was recorded in Jarrett’s home studio in New Jersey, and it has the warm cerebral ambiance and companionship of a musical version of “My Dinner with Andre” only in Jazz form. The companionship, the intimacy, the perfect pairing of like minds that don’t imitate but rather compliment each other is in every line. Sadly, the last - and maybe my favorite - tune on “Last Dance” is the Gordon Jenkins standard “Goodbye” - given Keith Jarrett’s inability to play due to his health issues, it’s heartbreaking that this might actually be a musical goodbye from this pair. I think ECM’s review said it best: “If Jarrett is the body, Haden is the soul.” ♥️ Pairing this one tonight with my own improvisation, this time on Tony Cecchini’s Trinidad Old Fashioned (which I’m calling the Habana Old Fashioned) - substituting aged Havana Club and upping slightly the quantities of Allspice Dram and Boiled Cider syrup. It’s a little sweet, a lot boozy, and new while at the same time achingly familiar - a lot like these standards from Keith and Charlie. Cheers. #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #trinidadoldfashioned #habanaoldfashioned #havanaclub #stelizabethallspicedram #woodsboiledcider #jazz #jazzmusic #jazzvinyl #discogs #discogscollection #keithjarrett #charliehaden #lastdance #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
This one’s for HRH — here’s to you; the courage you showed assuming the throne at 25 and leading through WWII and beyond. While the concept of monarchy has its issues for sure (not to mention imperialism and colonization), you reigned with grace and class. A woman for the ages. #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #hrh #qeii #queenelizabeth2 #rip #thequeenisdeadlonglivetheking #dubonnet #sipsmithgin #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
A new (to me) vinyl offering is absolutely the best way to end the week, and I’ve been giving this one a careful listen this evening. Jarrett’s Budapest Concert was one of his solo improvisational concerts recorded in 2016; part of his final world tour before his 2020 announcement that he’d suffered two strokes and effectively ended his playing career. He’s said that he considers this album his solo improvisational “gold standard” - and you can see why. It’s an incredible double album, and deserves a drink to match. So, thanks to inspiration from Keith and from my jazz-loving friend @laurapreslan - tonight I’m pairing this with what I call the “Part 12 Blues” (in honor of the same track on this album. ) Smokey Vida Mezcal pairs with agave syrup and lime juice, and is balanced out by a little Aperol and a splash of fresh grapefruit. Smokey, bluesy, and a lovely balance of tart, bitter and sweet, this drink can make you feel all the heart-rending sadness of life’s randomness while simultaneously embracing the joy that comes with every new day and new opportunity— kind of like the blues themselves. Wynton Marsalis once said that the blues combined affirmation with absolute elegance — and few have done so better on the piano than Keith Jarrett. ♥️ #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #fridaycocktails #jazz #newvinyl #discogs #jazzrecords #keithjarrett #budapestconcert #soloimprovpiano #vidamezcal #aperol #freshlime #grapefruitjuice #agavesyrup #partxiiblues #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
First semi-official cocktail hour at the new Havana North - thank you so much @jflieller89 and @ekinzler for joining me for Dark and Stormys, G&Ts, and frozen daiquiris (plus some food to keep us reasonably sober) and West Coast Jazz — love you both so much! #goodfriends #thisishowwemonday #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
The saying goes that a true friend will help you move, but a best friend will help you move a body. I’d argue that a best friend will also show up, after heinous traffic, to help you install new light fixtures, deal with garage stuff, and install new speakers— all in an un-air conditioned house when it’s eleventy-billion degrees inside. This is the stuff a friend of mine calls “blue jobs” (which always makes me laugh - if you’re single, every job is your job - I think of them all as “grey jobs”! ) but I am deeply, deeply appreciative. Celebrating new speakers with a listen to the classic “Pet Sounds” album… I’m not actually a huge Beach Boys fan, but this album is rightfully considered an epic moment in pop music — I’d go so far as to argue that it’s one of the greatest pop albums ever recorded. “God Only Knows” is as much a moment of near-perfection as I’ve ever heard - and on vinyl, on this hot summer evening, with fresh grapefruit juice and vodka, makes a fitting end to a long but productive day. Cheers to my best friend, D, and to all of you who show up when needed. You know who you are. ♥️ #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #bluejobspinkjobs #grayjobs #bowtielights #sonosspeakers #bestfriends #fitandfinish #thebarathavananorthisnowopen #beachboys #petsounds #godonlyknows #saturdays #gratitude #lakewoodlife
No sooner did I head out with a glass of wine this evening then these two made an appearance. They let me get really close for a photo this time - they are not even remotely afraid of me but they are super curious. I can’t tell them apart at all but I’ve named them Jules et Jim ♥️ #neighbors #owls #owlsofinstagram #theownsarenotwhaytheyseem #pnwwildlife #barredowls #julesetjim #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
Just like the sun finally breaking through the clouds today and giving us a delightful afternoon, I got a wonderful surprise in the mail today — a long-awaited (and long-backordered) vinyl finally arrived!! But, also like Summer in Seattle - this one is worth the wait! Paul Desmond was, IMHO, the king of Cool Jazz Saxophone. While his legendary work with Dave Brubeck is foremost in popular consciousness (he did, after all, compose “Take 5”), his work with legendary guitarist Jim Hall is really, really spectacular - the two play off of each other (especially in “Polka dots and Moonbeams”) is nothing short of magical. And that album cover?! C’mon! 1966 at its finest. I’m pairing this tonight with (as one does) a classic Mai Tai — that Trader Vic’s classic — which seems only apropos. Here’s hoping your week is full of sunshine AND unexpected pleasures! 💛 #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #maitais #tradervics #tikidrinks #jazz #jazzlover #vinyl #vinylcollection #discogs #pauldesmond #jimhall #cooljazz #westcoastjazz #easyliving #mondaycocktail #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
Ah, friends. If I’ve learned anything in my 52 years, it’s that change is inevitable. Sometimes - oftentimes - it’s for the better; sometimes not so much (but even those times give us opportunities for continued growth.) The last six months or so have been rough; primarily with my father’s health and then his death; buying a house and then moving in the midst of dealing with his estate, and now inevitable work changes. The thing is, while most of these things are well outside of one’s control, you can choose only your response. So I choose music — in this case, the inimitable Nat King Cole — and a cocktail. Aptly named “The Business,” it consists of dry gin, honey syrup, and fresh lime juice. Shaken and served up in a chilled coupe. After all, it’s never personal, in the end. It’s just Business. ♥️ #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #thebusiness #oldrajgin #freshlime #honeysyrup #natkingcole #elprincipeazuldelacancionromantica #theverythoughtofyou #forallweknow #loveyourjob #loveyourteam #chchchchanges #onedoorclosesanotheropens #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
As is typical here in the PNW, it’s the 3rd of July and it’s cool, cloudy, and gray with a chance of rain. It’s only 61 here today — hoodie weather! But traditionally we Washingtonians believe summer actually starts on July 5. And, if the weather app is to be believed, it should be partly sunny on Tuesday, hitting 75. Right on schedule. But that doesn’t mean you can’t pretend it really is summer, so today I’m sipping on an aperitif from Rebekah Peppler’s lovely book “Aperitif: Cocktail Hour the French Way.” I’d been eyeing a bottle of Suze I wanted to use, so the Suze Tonic is today’s choice. It’s a spin on the classic G&T (but with lower ABV) and calls for 1/2 oz Suze, 1 oz lemon juice, 3 dashes angostura bitters — build it in an ice filled Collins glass, stir well, and top off with tonic water. It is tart and very refreshing — the Suze is bitter and very floral/herbal (it’s made from the gentian plant - sort of like Campari but far less sweet and not as thick.) it has a refreshingly bitter finish (just like me! 😂) and I think it would be perfect on a hot summer day. Ah well - maybe time to revisit later this week? Pairing this with some summery Yacht Rock today — currently spinning Steely Dan’s “FM.” Here’s to your summer, friends. May you have all sunshine and no static at all. 💛 #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #aperitif #aperitifbook #rebekahpeppler #suze #suzetonic #yachtrock #pnw #pnwsummer #steelydan #steelydanfm #nostaticatall #thebarathavananorthisnowopen
The Bar At Havana North is finally fully unpacked and set up. The house is 90% there (just some networking stuff to set up, light fixtures to swap out, etc.) But the furniture is placed, art is hung, and that means that tomorrow I can take a full day off from any work whatsoever- and it’s been about 2 months since that’s been the case. So tonight I’m inaugurating the new location for Havana North with that most Cuban of cocktails, a frozen Daiquiri. According to my Mom, my grandfather Rogelio (my father’s dad) made the most delicious daiquiris ever. I’m hoping he’d approve of mine — I wish so much I could share a drink with him. My mom also surprised me with a gift — this album, by Cuban singer Manolo Fernandez (know as “El Caballero del Tango”) belonged to my father. He and mom got rid of their vinyl long ago (sadly!) but this one was somehow overlooked until recently. My father loved tangos — the music of course, but the tragic lyrics most of all. He committed so many to memory and would sing them all the time. It’s wonderful to listen to this gem and think of my Papi. I hope he and Abuelito are out there somewhere smiling, approving of this music and my cocktail. This one’s for both of you. I love you both, always. ♥️ #cocktails #cocktailsandvinyl #daiquiri #bacardi #tango #manolofernandez🎙💃🕺 #elcaballerodeltango #thebarathavananorthisnowopen