Culture

Lounge lizards in the city

By Mikala Reasbeck (China Daily)
Updated: 2011-01-27 07:41

Covers of Brown Eyed Girl are, admittedly, not for everyone. Fret not, Beijing's lounge and bar scene is teeming with top shelf jazz and soul crooners backed by heady, talented bands.

Eudora Station features Bump City Wednesday through Saturday nights starting at 9 pm. Led by vocalist/harmonicist Greg Carroll, formerly of Robert Palmer's Band, Bump City packs it all in: blues, R&B, soul and Latin-inspired jams. Expect many covers re-tooled and re-energized - and with the harmonica!

Joey and Elsie rock the mic and the crowd at Tim's Texas BBQ on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights after 8 pm. Their mix of country and pop tunes, with a little rock thrown in for good measure, goes great with both kids and margaritas.

ROOMbeijing hosts Raye seven nights a week starting from 8:30 pm. This Londoner's unique mix of rock, jazz and pop is palatable and washes down well with a gin and tonic - it doesn't pair poorly with the food either.

China World Hotel's Aria Bar and Restaurant features 23-year-old Allie Webb from Monday through Saturday at 9 pm. The young blood of Beijing's lounge scene runs through jazz and pop standards like an old pro.

Cindy Chavez works Centro's patrons into a tizzy Monday through Saturday nights after 8 pm. Her Latin and classic jazz standards are as smooth and well executed as any of Centro's champagne cocktails.

Sadly, Nancy J. Brown recently left her much lauded and adored tenure at Beijing's highest bar, Atmosphere. She said that between contracts she takes time to work on her own projects - perhaps after releasing an album she recorded last year, she'll turn up on the Beijing lounge circuit again.

Finally, for those who aren't in the mood for vocals: Enoterra's lounge offers live jazz on piano and guitar on Wednesday and Thursday nights.