All That Jazz: Upscale Casual Dining With a Side of Sax

By Emilie-Noelle Provost

While there are many wonderful things about wintertime in New England (think ski slopes and magical snow-covered landscapes) one of the season’s drawbacks is our seemingly universal tendency to hibernate. If it’s been a while since you got out of the house, it’s time to turn off Netflix and dig your favorite date night shoes out of the closet.

On Friday February 3 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., NoLo Bistro & Bar at The Stonehedge Hotel & Spa will host an evening of superlative jazz with renowned saxophone tenor Noah Preminger and his band.

A Connecticut native, Preminger’s debut album, Dry Bridge Road, released in 2008 when he was just 21 years old, was named Debut of the Year in a Village Voice critics poll. A self-described lover of adventure, Preminger enjoys boxing and skydiving and believes, “Taking risks in life helps you take risks in art.”

Now based in Brooklyn, N.Y., Preminger has played in bands with such notable jazz artists as Cecil McBee and John McNeil and has performed on several albums released by Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records. He has been named among the nation’s best tenor saxophonists by the New York Times, Time Out New York, the Boston Globe and the Boston Phoenix. Now age 30, Preminger has performed live as bandleader on several legendary jazz stages including Scullers Jazz Club in Boston and the Metropolitan Room and Ginny’s Supper Club in New York.

Preminger released two recordings in 2016: Some Other Time, on French vinyl label Newvelle Records, and the independent release, Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground, inspired by Mississippi Delta blues. His seventh album, Meditations on Freedom, which the saxophonist’s website describes as “a musical protest against ominous political developments in America,” was released on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, 2017.

When you combine Preminger’s talent for jazz with Executive Chef Mark Filteau’s innovative, seasonal menu (look for wintertime favorites like NoLo Bolognese with lamb, pork and veal and papardelle pasta and New England Bouillabaisse featuring locally sourced seafood) and resident mixologist Jared Bracci’s creative cocktails it’s sure to be a special night out.

There is no cover charge for NoLo’s February 3 jazz dinner though reservations are recommended. To complete your evening with an overnight stay visit The Stonehedge Hotel & Spa’s online reservation page or call (978) 649-4400.

To listen to a preview of Preminger’s music visit https://www.noahpreminger.com/listen.