Preservation Hall Jazz Band

Does Las Vegas deserve another shot at a jazz club? Even after the spectacular failure of the Sin City version of the legendary Blue Note at the Miracle Mile Shops — as mismanaged and mismarketed as any local music venue in recent memory — we say yes and hell yes. The Smith Center for the Performing Arts is taking a shot with its own Cabaret Jazz venue, a 3,700-square foot, 258-seat music and supper room that will overlook Symphony Park in downtown. And judging by its initial lineup, it’s not kidding around.

Initially, the Smith Center had only announced former Harrah’s headliner Clint Holmes as the venue’s resident, playing the first weekend of every month beginning in April. But today’s just-released visiting talent roster for the spring should whet music fans’ appetites. Among the highlights: Iconic saxophonist Branford Marsalis (March 31), singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega (with Duncan Sheik in tow; April 15-16), two performances of Stormy Weather: The Lena Horne Project (starring former Supreme Mary Wilson; May 11-12),  legendary Broadway singer and Kennedy Center Honors recipient Barbara Cook (May 24-27), and New Orleans institution Preservation Hall Jazz Band (June 29-30).

The big question remains: Will locals — and Strip tourists — support the venue? Unlike the vaguely promoted and programmed Blue Note, this slate of performers seems tailor-made for both music aficionados and the chronic “no culture in Vegas” complainers. Furthermore, the calendar isn’t limited to jazz, and it’s hard to imagine another venue in town booking, say, a singer-songwriter like Vega or the distinguished Preservation Hall Jazz Band, or Broadway diehards passing up a chance to see Cook in such an intimate venue.

One would like to think attentive music lovers staying on the Strip would take a simple cab ride downtown to see some of these accomplished performers (provided The Smith Center adequately advertises the shows in the tourist corridor and on travel websites). However, locals can be reluctant to open their wallets for shows, so prices will have to remain low. Though some of the bigger marquee shows like Marsalis and Cook have yet to reveal ticket information — all shows go on sale 10 a.m. Jan. 27; info can be found at the facility’s website – the Smith Center press release states most shows will start at the $35 mark. Also, many of the selections are available for the facility’s Design Your Own Series promotion, where buying tickets to multiple shows (for both Cabaret Jazz and the bigger Reynolds Hall) means a discount.

And here’s hoping Cabaret Jazz will eventually allow outside promoters to affordably “four-wall” the room for non-series events, much like Blue Note did for the Las Vegas Jam Band Society — the one fanbase that actually turned out regularly for shows at that plagued venue.

Cabaret Jazz opens March 17 with SFJAZZ Collective performing the songs of Stevie Wonder. Note: The previously announced Jazz Roots, the historical African-American music show featuring Al Jarreau and Ramsey Lewis, will take place in the Reynolds Hall (April 27).