Low-Key Elegance Adds to Jazz Experience

Club Brasserie, located at the Wyndham Bel Age Hotel in West Hollywood, is one of L.A.’s more romantic nightspots. Although the hotel has only been around for 12 years, Club Brasserie is in the cool tradition of old Hollywood--the decor includes booths upholstered in soft red and green plaids and brass lighting fixtures throughout. Its low-key elegance belies its age and puts it in a time zone all its own. Located in the Bel Age’s La Brasserie restaurant, the room becomes Club Brasserie--a top-notch jazz club--from Thursday through Saturday. That’s when things start jumping.

In a setting that includes a glassed wall offering a view of L.A.’s skyline and an intimate stage area backed by Joan Miro artwork, jazz artists perform three sets nightly, from 9 p.m. till 1 a.m. Beginning tonight and appearing through Saturday are the Elders, which includes drummer Al “Tootle” Heath, pianist Phil Wright and saxophonist Herman Riley. The lineup Sept. 12 through Sept. 14 features sax player Javon Jackson with guitarist Fareed Hacque, bassist Peter Washington and drummer Billy Drummond.

Other September highlights are pianist Kei Akagi (Sept. 19); pianist Buddy Montgomery (Sept. 20-21) and saxophonist Don Menza (Sept. 26). The month concludes with drummer Joe LaBarbera’s quintet (Sept. 27-28). Even if your jazz vocabulary is limited to say, Miles Davis and Chet Baker, Club Brasserie offers a nice environment for a little tasty sampling.

* Club Brasserie at the Wyndham Bel Age Hotel, 1020 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood. All ages, no cover, two-drink minimum. (310) 854-1111.

The Buzz: Tonight’s “Challah Palooza” festival at Canter’s Deli in the Fairfax district promises to be a one-of-a-kind affair. Musicians, comedians, jugglers and poets from the Jewish alternative scene will do their thing in the Kibitz Room, an original old-school lounge. . . . Another one bites the dust: With the revoking of its entertainment permit by the city of West Hollywood, the 8240 Club (formerly Carlos ‘n’ Charlie’s) reportedly is being transformed into a sports bar.

* Challah Palooza hotline: (415) 567-6689.