These World-Famous Musicians Will Visit New Park Slope Jazz Cafe

PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN — If Brooklyn jazz fans have ever wanted to see a Grammy-winning saxophonist, a third-generation trumpet player and an Israeli guitar prodigy all in one place, they're in luck.

A new jazz spot replacing Nargis Cafe on Fifth Avenue will officially open its doors on Thursday, bringing in an elite group of musicians for its first line-up of performances.

The new club, which will be run by the founders of the Made in New York Jazz Competition, has been in the works since Nargis closed earlier this year.

Owners said that since then, they have already started to feel the love of the neighborhood. So much so, that they decided to offer the first three weeks of shows free of admission.

“We are very excited," competition founder Michael Brovkine said. "Many people are just knocking on the door and wishing us good luck. We also want to give back to our neighbors."

Those first three weeks of shows will kick off with jazz trumpeter Philip Harper, who has played with the Jazz Messengers, Charles Mingus' band and the Harper Brothers. Harper will give two performances for the club's opening night on Thursday.

Made in New York has also announced the line-up for this Friday, Saturday and next week's Thursday, Friday and Sunday performances.

This weekend includes Israeli guitarist Yotam Silberstein and Wayne Escoffery, a Grammy-winning saxophonist, with his jazz quartet.

Next week the club will have two "Banging Brains" jazz shows, featuring pianist David Kikoski one night and guitarist and composer Mike Moreno another. Benny Benack III, the grandson of 1960s jazz mogul Ben E. Benack, will perform on that Sunday.

The 155 Fifth Ave. jazz club is the first brick and mortar spot for the Made in New York Jazz Competition, which has been hosting an international contest for several years.

The new spot will serve food and cocktails in addition to its slate of live music performances.

Brovkine has said that the cafe will add a "fresh, creative spin" to the eatery's existing menu, which was led by Nargis chef Boris Bangiyev, who has appeared on the food network and been featured various times for his cuisine.

A full list of the upcoming performances can be found here.