Rome Jazz

Unfortunately, most jazz places close during the summer months, either re-opening in September or heading outdoors. Alexanderplatz Jazz Club, one of Rome's most popular of its kind and Italy's oldest, shuts its doors mid-June and hosts a spectacular program of outdoor performances at the Villa Celimontana. (☎06 58 33 57 81; call M-F 9:30am-5:30pm > B: Colosseo. Concerts at V. della Navicella. i Ticket sales at V. della Navicella start at 7:30pm. h Doors open at 9pm; shows start at 10:10pm.) At other times of the year, Alexanderplatz can be found at V. Ostia 9. (☎06 58 33 57 81 9:30am-2pm,☎06 39 74 21 71 6pm on. $ Monthly card €10, yearly €30. h Open 8pm-2am; concerts at 10pm.) For a current schedule of other jazz events check out www.romace.it, www.romajazz.com, or www.casajazz.it.

Fonclea, V. Crescenzio 82A (☎06 68 96 302; www.fonclea.it), Crowds linger on the street and trickle down the steps into this den of live jazz and food. Amid hanging skis and teapots, nightly performers pay homage to anything from swing to The Beatles. Munch on chips and guacamole during the aperitivo hour while trumpeters and saxophonists warm up their lips. Drinks and food are a bit overpriced, but with music this good, who's thinking of eating? A: Ottaviano. From P. Risorgimento, head away from the Vatican on V. Cresenzio. Cover F-Sa €6. Beer €7. Cocktails €10. Open from mid-Sept to mid-June M-Th 7pm-2am, F-Sa 7pm-3am, Su 7pm-2am. Music at 9:30pm. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.
Big Mama, Vicolo San Francesco a Ripa 18 (☎06 58 12 551; www.bigmama.it), She's not just a “Mama”—when it comes to the blues, she's a big mama. Nightly concerts by aspiring and well-known performers including jazz and blues guitarist Scott Henderson and rock singer-songwriter Elliott Murphy make this self-proclaimed “House of Blues” a place for all kinds of musical fare. Bus #75 or 170 or tram #8. From P. Garibaldi, walk down Vle. Trastevere, turn left onto V. San Francesco a Ripa, and veer right onto the tiny Year-long membership card (€14) or monthly card (€8) grants free admission to most shows. A few big shows require an additional ticket fee. Open daily from late Sept to late May 9pm-1:30am. Music at 10:30pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.