Thursday Jazz

For such a large, arts-appreciative city, Baltimore has precious few venues that feature jazz. Lovers of this original American music can get their fix on select nights at An die Musik or Club 347 downtown,  and since the beginning of this year, on Thursday nights at the Radisson Hotel at the Village of Cross Keys.

In partnership with the Baltimore Jazz Alliance, the hotel offers live jazz from 6 to 9 p.m. in its Crossroads Lounge. This Thursday, the Marianne Matheny-Katz Jazz Trio is on the bill. The performances are free, and the bar runs drink specials. There's also a full restaurant.

If you prefer to stay closer to downtown, the iconic Bertha's in Fells Point features the Jeff Reed Trio Thursdays beginning at 9:30 (and for more than 20 years has hosted the Paul Wingo Trio on Tuesdays). There's no cover, and you can savor a delicious plate of mussels for less than $10.

Jazz is alive and well in Baltimore - you just have to dig a little to find it.