If the title of Miguel Zenón’s latest, Vanguardia Subterránea, isn’t enough of a tipoff, check the subtitle: “Live at The Village Vanguard.” That phrase carries its own currency in jazz, appearing on countless albums — including several more this year, from guitarist Jakob Bro and drummers Marcus Gilmore and Bill Stewart. (One of the first and most iconic in this lineage, made by John Coltrane in 1961, will see release soon as a deluxe vinyl box.) But why is the Vanguard so singular? Josh produced a series of live broadcasts at the Greenwich Village club, and Nate has reviewed dozens of gigs there. Together we’ve logged hundreds of hours in that triangular basement room, and in this episode we’re talking about it. Tumble down those stairs with us and listen up!
Listening at the Vanguard
