Harbor of music

Shablul club at Hangar 13 attracts quality jazz both local and from abroad.

By ARI MILLER
shablul 224 (photo credit: )
shablul 224
(photo credit: )
Jazz is alive and well at the renovated Tel Aviv port in the form of the Shablul club at Hangar 13. The small and intimate setting is one of the city's tops in attracting both domestic and international talent. While the local jazz scene is decidedly a quality one, it also has become the staple genre for attracting top-notch acts from abroad, and Shablul has been nabbing some of the best, such as former Chick Corea guitarist and Grammy winner Frank Gambale. Playing there on April 18 will be New York-based trumpeter, Joe Magnarelli, who has performed with the likes of Harry Connick, Jr. and Rosemary Clooney. Candle lit dark wood tables are set off against the inner-brick fa ade and hanging posters of jazz musicians make for a cozy ambience. An inviting padded bench wraps around the perimeter of the club minus the bar, providing an excellent vantage point for viewing the stage. Light fare - from salads and sandwiches to stuffed vine leaves and nachos - is available. Shablul's well-stocked bar features Carlsberg and Leffe Brune on tap and a quaint wine list composed of Italian, French and Spanish whites, reds and sparkling. Smoking is allowed, unsurprisingly, but the space doesn't seem to fill up with smoke. Evening shows being at 10 and doors open at 9. The crowd, which ranges in age and dress from 20's to post-middle-age and jeans and t-shirts to jeans and button-downs, will pay between NIS 50 to NIS 120 entrance depending on who is taking the stage. Calling in advance is recommended when a better-known name is performing, like Gidi Gov's upcoming "Moon Dance" performance, or for Efraim Shamir's regular Friday afternoon gig, which begins at 5 p.m. Even if jazz is not your cup of tea, there is still what to hear as a little something of everything graces Shablul's stage throughout each week: Tuesday salsa parties, open jam sessions, world music and even swing. Information and tickets at (03) 546-1891 or at www.shabluljazz.com.