This year is a year of milestones for Victor’s Italian Restaurant. A neighborhood staple since 1984, Victor’s celebrates it’s 35thyear of Italian cuisine, 35 years of its summer bocce league, and on Sunday, November 10, it also celebrates ten years of Friday Night Jazz.
Friday Night Jazz has been unassumingly entertaining patrons at Victor’s since 2009. Always lively and never a cover charge, it’s the perfect recipe for an enjoyable Friday night out. Owner Mark Sindicich reflects, “Music has always been an important part of my life and I have always enjoyed it. Live music at Victor’s is an interesting piece that I think people find a nice addition to a meal.”
Early on, Mark got hooked up with local musician and jazz talent, Kris Kostoff to help organize and book the vibrant community of jazz trios. Mark says one of the things that has made the Friday Night Jazz so successful is that this band of “true musicians” are able to come in and play to the crowd. “They understand that they’re here to enhance the dining experience, and not necessarily be rock stars in the spotlight.“
Sindicich says the musicians enjoy the environment because they’re able to explore and do things that they wouldn’t normally do if all eyes were trained on them. “So it isn’t unusual for Kostoff and his trio to break into the theme from Game of Thrones in the middle of a Thelonious Monk tune.” Kostoff agrees, “I enjoy playing at Victor’s because of the artistic freedom that Victor’s allows us. I love the spontaneous conversations between the musicians.”
On Sunday, November 10 from 2 – 4pm, Victor’s will mark the ten year anniversary of Friday Night Jazz with a special jazz event. Kostoff has termed it the Jazz Jam Roulette. “It’s a one time event that probably won’t ever happen again, with 16 incredible musicians spontaneously creating music, four players at a time,” he explains. With four talented musicians chosen at random to perform together, it promises to be an amazing afternoon of musicianship with a helping of delicious food and drink mixed in.
“If you love jazz, come out every Friday. This is a one-of-a-kind gem in York right now, and with people’s support it can continue for another ten plus,” Kostoff encourages. Join Victor’s as they celebrate a decade of Friday Night Jazz. The Jazz Jam Roulette will be held on Sunday, November 10 from 2 – 4pm.
Advance tickets are $25 and include a buffet of Victor’s Italian favorites. Tickets can be reserved and more information including the full lineup of participating musicians can be found at wwwvictorsofyork.com.
Check out the current schedule of all Friday Night Jazz performers and Victor’s more eclectic, often acoustic acts on Saturday nights. In addition to jazz, music genres on Saturday nights include classic rock, alternative, folk, Americana, and many other surprisingly delightful genres sprinkled in.