How long is the event?

The celebration runs approximately three hours, including the performance and dining service.

Are there age restrictions?

Age restrictions are not specified; contact the organizer if bringing children under typical concert ages.

Is photography allowed during the performance?

Casual photos before and after are fine; avoid flash or filming during the set to respect performers.

Can the menu accommodate dietary restrictions?

Yes—contact the Santa Fe School of Cooking in advance and chefs will often adapt courses.

What about parking and accessibility?

Parking and accessibility details vary—check with the venue ahead of time for nearest parking and any accessibility needs.

Eddie Daniels’ 85th Birthday: Intimate Concert & Chef’s Dinner at Dave’s Jazz Bistro | Events | Theater

Dave’s Jazz Bistro at the Santa Fe School of Cooking in Santa Fe, New Mexico, sets the scene for a rare night of music and food: Eddie’s 85th Birthday Celebration, featuring clarinet virtuoso Eddie Daniels and pianist Lee Musiker. In a city where adobe architecture and high‑desert light shape the senses, this intimate bistro brings two world‑class artists face‑to‑face with an audience for a three‑hour program of music, stories, and a chef‑crafted birthday menu. On stage, Daniels’ clarinet and occasional saxophone meet Musiker’s measured, lyrical piano. Expect selections drawn from Daniels’ acclaimed Five Seasons project alongside personal highlights that trace a career from early conservatory training to Grammy recognition. Between pieces the performers trade anecdotes—tales like Daniels’ electric appearance on The Johnny Carson Show—and offer behind‑the‑curtain reflections that reveal the craft behind the phrasing. The room’s focused acoustics and close table seating mean every breath, slide, and subtle dynamic lands with immediacy. The Santa Fe School of Cooking supplies more than a venue: its culinary team customizes a special birthday menu for the night, pairing regional flavors with refined plating. That menu turns the concert into a full sensory evening—think local chiles, seasonal produce, and carefully paired service that supports the music rather than overwhelms it. For travelers who spent the day hiking the Sangre de Cristo foothills or wandering Canyon Road galleries, this dinner‑concert offers a restorative cultural counterpoint. What makes this event stand out is the combination of rarity and intimacy. Eddie Daniels is not a touring novelty; he is an artist whose work bridges jazz and classical traditions. Seeing him in a bistro setting with Lee Musiker—the longtime music director for Tony Bennett and a respected accompanist—creates moments you won’t hear at large halls: impromptu dialogue, tempo shifts, and private jokes rendered musical. Practical details: the evening runs roughly three hours. The meeting point is Dave’s Jazz Bistro at the Santa Fe School of Cooking. Expect assigned seating and a set, curated menu. This is not a festival show but a curated, ticket‑limited experience—book early. Sustain the local scene by supporting small arts venues and enjoying the neighborhood’s walkable plazas after the performance. Whether you’re a devoted jazz listener or a curious traveler seeking a memorable night in Santa Fe, this celebration folds music, memory, and regional taste into a single, unforgettable evening. Seats are limited; the event's tone is conversational rather than formal. Arrive early to enjoy a pre‑show cocktail and settle into your table. If you have dietary restrictions, contact the Santa Fe School of Cooking in advance so chefs can often adapt courses. The setting rewards attentive listening; plan for a night that prioritizes the music and the communal experience and creates lasting memories.

About Santa Fe School of Cooking

Santa Fe School of Cooking is a culinary education and event company based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The school offers a diverse schedule of hands-on and demonstration cooking classes, themed dinners, and collaborative musical dining events. Classes range from technique-focused demonstrations to hands-on sessions that teach traditional New Mexican, Mexican, and border-region recipes. Students learn dishes such as chilaquiles, corn pudding, cream of green chile soup, carne tampiqueña, tacos al pastor, and salsa macha, and explore ingredients like achiote, lime, apricot, eggplant, and green chile.

The school partners with local venues and cultural organizations to present unique dinner concerts and festival collaborations. Featured events include jazz evenings at Dave’s Jazz Bistro with performers such as Delbert Anderson, Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim with the John Rangel Trio, Robby Beasley, Dr. Chris Buckholz, Eddie Daniels, and Lee Musiker. The program has also collaborated with the Santa Fe Indian Market and the New Mexico Jazz Festival, pairing live music and poetry with menus inspired by Native culinary traditions.

Instruction is led by experienced chefs and culinary professionals who design curated menus for holiday dinners, healthy seasonal menus, vegetarian offerings, and culturally rooted tasting menus. The school emphasizes authentic regional flavors, practical techniques, and convivial dining experiences. Visitors and students can expect clear instruction, thoughtfully sourced recipes, and opportunities to taste and take home new skills. Santa Fe School of Cooking focuses on culinary education, cultural connection, and memorable food-centered events. Classes accommodate home cooks and visiting travelers seeking authentic regional cooking experiences and techniques.