You don't need to like jazz to like this set
Updated: Nov 30, 2023
Welcome to my first review on BricksOfAllSorts and what better place to start than with what's seen as one of the most widely anticipated sets of the year, the new Lego Icons (Creator Expert as was) Modular.
Manufacturer | Lego |
Set Number | 10312 |
Set Theme | Lego Icons |
Piece Count | 2899 |
Minfigures | 8 |
Link To Purchase |
For months there was nothing. No clues. No leaks. By early December there are usually reviews of the next modular building on the main Lego YouTuber channels. This year there was only silence. However, eventually after the Christmas decorations had been unboxed the first leaks began to appear. Right away (as usual) the leaks were correct. The 2023 modular building would be a Jazz Club and Pizzeria.
Ground Floor - Jazz Club and Pizzeria
Jazz Club and Pizzeria Jazz band and singer in action Ticket booth in operation The obligatory Lego toilet Archway into Pizzeria This way to the tailor's shop
The pavement area begins with a single stud of light blue grey tiles representing the kerb followed by six studs of dark blue grey tiles for the pavement. There is then another single stud of light blue grey before we reach the actual building. From front to back the deepest part of the modular's main structure is 20 studs, leaving a short four stud strip at the back.
To the left is the Jazz Club. The entrance way is a 7x7 stud build which acts as main entrance and ticket booth. It is set on a diagonal meaning this part sticks out roughly four studs into the pavement. The ticket booth/entrance is connected to the main building using a couple of dark blue grey tiles. It is also where the Jazz Club sign is clipped into place. To the right of the entrance is a poster courtesy of a printed 2x4 tile. Once inside, the stage area is in the back left corner. The stage is triangular and has just about enough room for a couple of musicians and the singer. The stage is framed by spot lights and a pair of red curtains. In front of the stage is the audience area which has three groupings of two chairs and table with glasses. Just inside the entrance, on the right, is the now obligatory toilet - Lego does love a toilet. At the back right is a door to the four-stud section at the rear of the club. An archway connects straight through to the pizzeria suggesting the smell of freshly baked pizzas wafts it's way through to the Jazz Club patrons!
To the right of the Jazz Club is the Pizzeria. This building is recessed about four to five studs behind the Jazz Club. Of the overall 32 stud width, the Jazz Club is 20 studs and the Pizzeria 12. The total depth of the pizzeria, including the decorative pillars, is 15 studs. There are six studs of dark blue grey and tan tiles between the pavement and the pizzeria. To the left of the single window is a trellis covered with flowers. Above the window and door are stripped canopies made up from a series of 1x4 plates and tiles. Inside the pizzeria there is a small L-shaped counter, behind which you will find the chef hard at work beside his pizza oven. The floor is a chequered black and white pattern.
Between the Club and Pizzeria is a stairwell which runs the height of the building. From the outside this is advertised as the way in to the tailor’s shop on the first floor, accessed via a lilac door facing towards the jazz club. It is also the way to access the upper floors of the Jazz Club.
On the pavement there is some appropriate street furniture i.e., a white lamppost on one corner and a table, two chairs and umbrella outside the pizzeria.
First Floor - Managers Office and Tailors shop
Manager's desk Manager watching the show Tailor at his sewing machine Tailor's shop
At the top of the first flight of stairs you reach the first-floor landing. Ahead is a door which leads to a small balcony. Facing out towards the front of the building is a window made up of different coloured panes. To the right is the Tailor's Shop and to the left the Jazz Club manager's office. Starting with the manager's office, as you enter there is basically a hole in the floor which allows the manager to see and hear what's going on. The "hole" roughly follows the shape of the stage below. There is of course a rail for safety. To the left is a large 4 pane window of clear glass. In the corner there is a coloured pane window matching the one out on the landing. The main furniture in the room is the manager's desk. Behind her desk is gramophone player which allows the manager to listen to her old records.
Back out on the landing, the lilac door leads into the tailor's shop. The tailor's shop has of course the same footprint as the pizzeria below, but it is more open. There is a table at the front window, upon which sits an old-fashioned Singer sewing machine which looks very realistic - amazing what you can do with bricks. On the opposite wall stands a tailor's dummy and several reels of cloth. Windows are a mix of small glazed panels and unglazed arches. In his shop the tailor is busy working on a new outfit for the Jazz Club singer.
Third Floor - Dressing Room and Greenhouse
Pizza chef's greenhouse Dressing room Magician at the mirror Pizza loving squirrel
Another flight of stairs takes us to the top floor. To the left is the Jazz Club's dressing room and to the right the rooftop garden tended to by the Pizzeria chef. The dressing room has a classic theatre/club dressing table with the mirror surrounded by half a dozen lights. Other than that there is a sofa for artists to relax before and after their performance. There is some sheet music to allow for some last-minute practice.
Across the hallway from the dressing room is pizzeria's rooftop garden. Here you will find a greenhouse crammed full of fresh vegetables ready to go on your pizza. One last thing on the top floor is the ladder on the landing. This allows access to a rooftop whose only current inhabitant is a pizza loving squirrel.
Minifigures
Tailor Club Manager Singer Pizza Chef Magician Double Bass Player Delivery Boy Drummer
Overall Thoughts
At first I was unsure about this set. However, after building it I've changed my mind. As someone who likes their buildings to have stories to tell there is certainly enough going on here to keep your imagination busy. Whether it be some drama amongst the musicians, chaos at the ticket booth, mixed up orders in the pizzeria or a last minute requirement for emergency tailoring, it's all there for you to play out in actions or words. In my small town I have placed the Jazz Club next to the Parisian Restaurant and they sit really well together.
Thanks for reading my review. If you have any thoughts of your own please leave a comment below.
PaulC.
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