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About

Background

In keeping with its legacy as the audiophile venue that Les Paul called home for over 14 years, The Iridium has undergone a substantial upgrade of its stage and sound system.

With renovations totaling $150,000, including a unique lighting and stage treatment designed by Abigail Rosen, The Iridium initially debuted its new look in September 2015 welcoming back Front and Center, public television’s critically-acclaimed music series, for the filming of four all-new episodes.  These initial Front and Center tapings featured performances by singer-songwriter BØRNS, iconic pianist and five-time Grammy Award nominee Joe Jackson, Platinum selling Country star Kip Moore and British singer-songwriter George Ezra.

The Iridium is a musical landmark famously known as a destination for intimately experiencing the best rock, jazz, and blues artists in the world.  Over the last 20 years, The Iridium has built up a reputation for attracting iconic instrumentalists and vocalists seven nights a week, and as a result has grown in the diversity of its music offerings as emerging songwriters seek to join in the room’s rich history of music discovery.  Among the superstar acts that have graced The Iridium stage are Les Paul, who played weekly at The Iridium until his passing in 2009, Jeff Beck, Steve Miller, Buddy Guy, Joe Walsh, Zakk Wylde, Joe Satriani, The Rolling Stones’ Mick Taylor and Charlie Watts, Max Roach, Michael Brecker, among many others.  Today, in addition to its consistent draw of legendary rock guitarists and jazz and blues musicians, The Iridium regularly showcases next generation talent spanning a variety of genres including folk, indie pop, alt rock, R&B, cabaret and world music.

Les Paul, revered as a pioneer in electric guitars and music recording, has influenced The Iridium becoming one of the only NYC concert venues to double as a live recording studio boasting its own music label – IridiumLive. Since 2011, notable releases on the IridiumLive label have included Grammy-winning guitarist Albert Lee’s ‘Live At The Iridium’ and ‘Les Paul Trio And Friends: A Jazz Tribute to Les’ featuring Les Paul’s band performing with special guests Nels Cline of Wilco, jazz guitar legend Stanley Jordan, Jane Monheit, and Bucky Pizzarelli. Jeff Beck’s Grammy-nominated ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Party Honoring Les Paul’ is also among the historical recordings at The Iridium.

A 180-capacity venue centrally located at 1650 Broadway, The Iridium is available for private events and offers upscale contemporary cuisine along with one of the finest wine lists in the city with its 450-bottle cellar.

Les Paul at The Iridum
Steve Miller at The Iridium
Les Paul at the Iridium

Our History

June 9, 1915

Les Paul is born in Waukesha, Wisconsin as Lester William Polsfuss

1952 

Gibson introduced the Les Paul model

1988 

Jeff Beck makes the induction speech as Les Paul enters the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

1994

The Iridium Jazz Club opens its original location on 63rd Street and 8th Avenue

May 20, 1996

Les Paul performs with Brian Setzer and Slash at the Iridium Jazz Club

September 6, 1999

Les Paul performs with ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons at the Iridium Jazz Club.

1996

Les Paul regular Monday night shows at New York's Iridium nightclub 

May 27, 1996

Les Paul performs with Chet Atkins at the Iridium Jazz Club.

August 1, 2001 

The Iridium moved to its current location at 1650 Broadway on 51st Street

April 23, 2001

Paul McCartney joins Les Paul on stage at the Iridium

August 13, 2001

Les Paul performs with Slash, Lou Pallo, and Paul Nowinski at the Iridium Jazz Club

November 2, 2001

Les Paul performs with Dickey Betts at the Iridium Jazz Club.

August 12, 2009

Les Paul passes away

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