The Half Note was a jazz club located at 289 Hudson Street in New York City. It opened in 1957.
The club, owned by Mike Canterino and his family, was known for showcasing up-and-coming jazz musicians in the 1950s and 1960s, defraying its costs with live radio broadcasts on Friday nights, hosted by Alan Grant.
The Half Note was one of a handful of legendary Manhattan nightclubs, including the Village Vanguard, the Village Gate, the Five Spot, and Slug's Saloon, that featured world class jazz on a regular basis. Forgoing sets with standard set times, musicians were allowed to play onstage for as long as they wanted to.
The club moved to 149 54th Street in 1972.
The Half Note closed in 1974, and the location is now occupied by a deli.
Bookings included Budd Johnson and Buddy Tate, beboppers Al Cohn and Zoot Sims, avant-gardists John Coltrane and Charles Mingus and Wes Montgomery, Herbie Mann and Cannonball Adderley. Singers Anita O’Day, Billie Holiday and, one evening, Judy Garland also made appearances.
Live recordings
Live radio recordings have been released, including those by John Coltrane and Cannonball Adderley.
The Lennie Tristano quintet was filmed at the Half Note in June 1964 for the CBS television show "Look up and Live," which was narrated by Dr. William Hamilton.