A Love Supreme

As we all do at the age of 13, we start exploring and discovering interests and hobbies which hang on for the rest of our lives. For me it was Jazz. I used to stay up late watching SNL and loved the band, listened to Marian McPharlan's Piano Jazz on NPR. I was drawing pictures in art class with 'Jazz' as the theme. At 16, my mom and I met my aunt from Houston in New Orleans we got to go to the clubs to hear the music and simply fell in love with that city and the music.

I got into Dizzie and Louis Armstrong, but then at around 18 got into Miles & Coletrane. The music for me has so much to it! Its a language, its confusing but sounds good and I love the challenge in listening. In my 20's I started traveling and got to come to New York and go to the Vanguard and Blue Note. I used to go hear Ron Miles in Boulder, when no one else was there. Dazzle Jazz club in Denver and I even traveled to NY to hear Charlie Hunter, Christian McBride & Bill Frisell play (separately).

All my life I have been a Jazz fan, and love everything about it. When I took over the restaurant in 2011, I offered a Jazz Brunch and had an extremely talented musician come play Daniel Bennett. Unfortunately for everyone, no one came to the brunch to hear his playing. He's now off in the city making a career with the music! And I am so honored that he came an played in my little restaurant.

Recently, I have developed a relationship with the Cinema Arts Center in Huntington. We have donated catering for their own Jazz After Hours Program and offer a 15% off discount to their members. ADDITIONALLY on Monday's and Tuesdays, we offer $6 off any entrée - this is the equivalent to the ticket amount, to promote dinner & a movie. We also hosted an event called Dine and Donate, where we encouraged people to come and 10% of their dinner check was given back to the center. Again, we had a slow turn out, but we look forward to trying it again in the future.

I recently learned the John Coletrane lived only 3 miles from where I live, as they are turning his house into a museum.  I guess Long Island used to be a pretty happening place! In my love for the music and desire to turn my restaurant into a cultural center, I have brought Jazz back into my life! On Sundays we are featuring Jazz from 5-7pm.

To be clear, the Jazz we bring is not someone's brother who is a musician. These are real professionals who have dedicated themselves to the art of making music. This week, we feature the Cinema Arts' resident Jazz Musician, Barr Sinister Jazz group. Jazz guitar accompanied by Jazz vocal. They are a timepiece and very fun to watch.

If you are at all into stimulating your mind, being entertained, and good food & wine, you should definitely check out my place on Sundays. I'm in the kitchen cooking and the Jazz is flowing. This is a personal invitation to fellow Jazz lovers! Come in, meet the artists, speak with me and enjoy.

See you Sunday!
Danyell Miller
owner/executive chef / jazz lover!