The flyers, the merchandise, the curtains are all pending. But the jazz we’ve been waiting for is back.

We wouldn’t want Jazz Showcase founder Joe Segal to wait for such luxuries when the music’s finally ready to go. In various locations since 1947, the Jazz Showcase has provided Chicago with top tier jazz -- the club boasts former heavyweight headliners like Charlie Parker and Count Basie -- but has been on hiatus since Segal, 82, closed the Grand Avenue location Jan. 1, 2007. Now, after considering more than 30 spots for a space and numerous licensing-related delays, Segal has finally reopened his famed music venue in the South Loop’s historic Dearborn Station. (Note: Don’t look for signs identifying the club yet. From the corner of Polk Street and Plymouth Court, just walk south and you’ll see it.)

Segal’s son Wayne, 50, who handles everything but the booking, designed the space to be more laid-back than previous incarnations, so the club could serve as an after-work hangout as well as a premier jazz club. But music is still the focus. “Anybody who just wants to drink beer and make noise can go somewhere else,” says Joe Segal.

We stopped in on opening night to see if the new space could still swing.

Inside: At about 3500 sq. ft. and a 170 capacity, this is a longer, taller, wider Showcase. The walls are packed with old photos of jazz giants -- “It’s sort of like a living museum because 99 percent of the people we have up there have worked for us at one time or another,” Joe says -- and a huge shot of Parker hangs over the large stage, which can fit up to 20 players. That leaves a little too much empty space for a trio, but it does allow a musician to grab a seat on the side of the stage if they sit out for a song. Tall windows stretching from front to back allow natural light (until the curtains arrive, that is), but the mood’s better after the sun goes down, when the candles on the small, four-person tables serve a purpose and the spot takes on the mood of a late-night lounge. While there are no more poles to block your view, the floor-level seating may force you to stretch your neck in order to see around people’s heads and glimpse fingers tickling the keys. (A few taller tables in back have clearer sightlines.) Some stadium seating or a mild decline might have been preferable.

Scene: For quality jazz, the Showcase is as trustworthy of a space as you’ll find in the city. (How do you think Segal lasted this long?) However, as evidenced by the night’s crowd and jazz’s tendency to skew towards an older demo, anyone under 40 should be prepared to feel slightly out of place on a date. The wood chairs also aren’t as comfortable as the club itself. On opening night the lone server handling non-alcoholic beverages (a full bar is now up and running) was extremely sweet -- and considerably younger than nearly everyone in the audience.

Sound: Though Joe said the musicians couldn’t hear themselves, we thought the music at the Showcase sounded crisper and cleaner than a new $20 bill. Which is good, because that’s what it will cost you to get in Thursday through Sunday. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday shows, which feature big bands, special combos and student groups, are $10. If it seems steep, remember: You’re paying for the quality of the artist and the live experience overall. If you’re just looking for after-work conversation, $20 might be more than you want to pay—especially since talking over the music is frowned upon here. Heads-up: Until the credit card machines are ready, the club is cash only.

Coming soon: Videos of classic performances from the Showcase and elsewhere

Bottom line: We can’t help but feel that the new Jazz Showcase offers a less intimate experience-for our money, jazz is best heard up close and personal, not at a distance near the bar with rows of people in front of you. But it’s again one of the city’s elite spots for terrific, toe-tapping jazz, with the focus squarely on exposing old and new fans to simply great, timeless music.

Shows: 7 and 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 8 and 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 4, 8 and 10 p.m. Sunday (Early show guests are typically welcome to stay for the late show with no additional charge.) Jam sessions with young musicians-similar to those of the Green Mill, Joe says-after each late show
Parking: $3/hr in Dearborn Station lot until 6 p.m.; $6 flat rate afterwards