The ‘Underground’ Is In Full Bloom
Nick Di Maria Makes Sure The New Haven Scene is Jumping
Nick Di Maria
As stage names go, Nick Di Maria’s is pretty low-key. Though there is no space between “Di” and “Maria” on his legal documents, for performance purposes he has put one there to differentiate himself from another trumpeter with the same name.
“I’m 15 years his senior, so I told him ‘You have to go by Nicholas, can’t space your name, and you can’t grow a beard,’ but we are still mistaken for each other,” Nick told 8495Jazz.
But without stretching the point too much, he might just as well be called Nick “DIY” Maria – he has taken the enterprising ethos of the punk scene of his youth, pivoted it to jazz, and created the New Haven Jazz Underground. He started the Underground (or NHVJU) in 2019, building on work he had done as an independent musician/promoter and also under the auspices of the established non-profit organization Jazz Haven. From an every-other Tuesday jazz jam at Cafe Nine to multiple jams and gigs nearly every week at various venues throughout the New Haven area, the NHVJU is in the vanguard of those making sure live jazz is available in the Elm City.
“The seeds are now bearing fruit,” Nick said. “A lot of it is that social media has just made everything more accessible. If you are searching on one social media channel like jazz videos on YouTube, you will be fed connected information. For example, I’m not doing shows in Waterbury, but if you live there, the algorithm will show you shows elsewhere, anyway” – an example of one of the positive attributes of the much-maligned social media landscape. In fact, Nick said the NHVJU doesn’t have a dedicated web site; “because we have so much happening, there is so much updating, I just do it through social media. It’s much more streamlined and gets to people faster.”
Timing was good
“I was a trumpet player from the suburbs and I grew up in the 1990s,” Nick said. “So it was only natural I would get into ska bands – I started playing in punk bands with horn sections. And the punk scene is all do-it-yourself. It always has been and always will be. From my very late teens I was learning how to put on shows by myself and what it took to organize a show.”
Nick was approached by the owner of the former Space club in Hamden around 2010; he was opening a new venue called Outer Space and looking for somebody to promote a Sunday jazz matinee.
“I had the venue and could do whatever I wanted,” Nick said. “The owner was glad to have somebody. Crowds were very small and bands made next to nothing.”
And, luckily for Nick, he was close to New York and familiar with its jazz scene, particularly Smalls, the Greenwich Village club noted for hosting rising talent.
“I was hanging out there a lot and I would cold call these musicians – like (guitarist) Peter Bernstein. (trumpeter) Jeremy Pelt, and (saxophonist) Wayne Escoffery. And I would say, ‘I have a series in Hamden, why don’t you come on a Sunday?’ And luckily a lot of these guys were just beginning to create names for themselves, so it was financially feasible. I would bring them to town, and my rhythm section would play for free – I would tell them I couldn’t pay them but they would be playing with Peter Bernstein or Jeremy Pelt.” (Nick’s relationship with Pelt has continued to bear fruit for local fans – he has played at the free Tuesday Cafe Nine jam).
“You could see Peter Bernstein or Jeremy Pelt in your backyard for like $10, $20 at the most. This was before the (Old Lyme club) Side Door was established. I was like the only one doing this on a whim. It was kind of easy to be successful. I usually made my money back because I didn’t have to pay the venue and the rhythm section played for free.”
Nick’s niche and a solid scene
Fast forward past those early days and the slowdown brought about by the pandemic and the jazz scene in New Haven is on solid ground. Nick’s part of it is, he said, testament to persistence in carving out a niche locally.
“I’m trying to show by example that you can have a career in music and not live in New York City or LA. New York will always be the mecca. But I was very early on encouraged by my mentor, Eddie Henderson, to really figure out a way to carve out a place for yourself. New Haven has always been a music town and a connection between Boston and New York.”
In recent months, he has headlined some of the “prestige” clubs in the Northeast, including The Side Door and Chris’ Jazz Cafe in Philadelphia, but he also feels that New Haven can be, and is, a hub of its own.
Nick counting the beat, leading his quintet at the Side Door in Old Lyme, CT.
“I am happy playing in my local bars as much as a club in New York or somewhere ‘more prestigious,’” Nick said. “A gig is a gig to me and playing music is why I’m doing it. I’m trying to lead by example. When I first started participating in town, how many opportunities were there for me? And there weren’t.
“Today it’s very different. I am proud to say the Underground has really made a mark in the city. The city will now reach out to the Underground when they need a band, as do the newer venues on the Underground roster. That’s kind of a sign we are doing things right. What I am seeing now, believe it or not, is more non-musicians in the audience than musicians, and that is sign we are doing things well.”
New Haven Jazz Underground events are listed on the NHVJU Facebook and Instagram pages. The flagship jam is usually held the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at Cafe Nine at the corner of Crown and State streets. Other NHVJU shows are held at Three Sheets (372 Elm St.) and Nolo (687 State St.).
All regularly occurring NHVJU events are free. Occasional special events may be ticketed. The Underground also has a Patreon page for those interested in a little more involvement.
To participate in the jam, Nick said one just needs to show up and get in line to play, or if there’s a sign up sheet on a busy night, sign up. Time to hit the woodshed.
Trumpet legend Eddie Henderson at a NHVJU jam at Cafe Nine in New Haven
Out and about in SNE with 8495Jazz
Upcoming club and concert highlights (all information is current at press time, please confirm by contacting the venue):
Uncle Cheef, Brewster NY:
Doug Deming and the Jeweltones (guitar), Thur., Sept. 12, 7:30 and 9 pm. $20 per person cash donation to the band encouraged
Pete Malinverni (piano), Sat., Sept. 14, 7:30 and 9 pm. One ticket is valid for both sets, seating for the 9pm set is based upon availability $15-$25
Alex Kautz (percussion), Sun., Sept. 15 (jazz brunch), 12 and 1 pm. (doors open at 11:15 am), $20 per person cash donation to the band encouraged
Jazz On Main, Mt. Kisco, NY:
Jordan McAllister Quartet (saxophone), Thur., Sept. 12, 7 pm. $20 in advance, $25 at the door.
Kristen Mather de Andrade Quartet (clarinet, vocals), Fri., Sept. 13, 7 and 9 pm. $20-89.
Side Door, Old Lyme CT:
Melissa Aldana Trio (saxophone), Fri., Sept. 13 and Sat., Sept. 14, 8:30 pm. $20-45 plus fees.
Harold Lopez-Nussa (piano), Fri., Sept. 20 and Sat., Sept. 21, 8:30 pm. $20-50 plus fees
Palace Theater, Waterbury, CT
Yoko Miwa Trio (piano), Fri., Sept. 13, 7 and 9 pm. $37
Eddie Allen Quintet (trumpet), Sun., Sept. 22, 12 pm. (Jazz brunch, service begins at 11), $69
VFW Post 399, Westport, CT
Ed Cherry (guitar), Thur., Sept. 12, 7:30 pm. $20.76, $15.76 for students and veterans
First Congregational Church, Madison, CT
Glenn Miller Orchestra, Fri., Sept. 20, 7 pm. $20-95 plus service fees
Yale University School of Music Ellington Series, New Haven, CT
Allen Lowe (saxophone), Sat., Sept. 14, Louis Armstrong’s America (lecture at 2 pm., concert at 4 pm). $26.
XO Bar, Providence, RI:
Evan Wood (drums), Thur., Sept. 12, 9 pm. Free.
Jams
Cafe Nine, New Haven CT
New Haven Jazz Underground jam, usually 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month: Highlights include Ed Cherry (guitar), Tue., Oct. 8 7 pm, session at 8, free admission
Blue Room, Cranston RI
Newport Jazz Jam sessions, Wed., Sept. 11 8 pm. Newport Jazz House Band featuring Leland Baker, followed by jam session, $10 for audience, free plus one drink for players