Hear the Sounds of Music
-- Manhattan Style

The Big Apple -- this is the music capital of the world. The nickname itself was coined by jazz musicians who took their "bites" of the apple at gigs. New York was -- and is -- the biggest apple of them all.

New York is known for Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, and such gala award celebrations as the Grammies. Music is everywhere in New York, in world famous halls, in small clubs, along the streets by performers.

Here are a few of the music hot-spots:

Apollo Theatre, 253 West 125th Street, 212/864-0372. Since 1934, talent here has included Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, Sammy Davis Jr. and more. Wednesday is Amateur Night, where would-be and will-be stars can get their start.

Carnegie Hall, 154 West 57th Street, 212/247-7800. The world's greatest music talents have showcased here, including everyone from Enrico Caruso to the Beatles.

CBGBs, 315 Bowery, 212/982-4052. Punk haven of the 1970s, this exotic nightspot continues to feature new talent.

Cotton Club, 656 West 125th Street, 800/640- 7980,212/663-7980. Blues, jazz and gospel music reverberate off the walls.

Greenwich Village, at the corner of Bleecker and MacDougal streets. The clubs in the village are at the center of the jazz, beat, rock and folk movement. Jazz clubs include the Blue Note, 131 West Third Street; the Bitter End, 149 Bleecker Street and the Village Gate, 160 Bleecker Street.

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, 140 West 65th Street, 212/875-5000. Built on 12 acres, this marble monument to music is home to the Metropolitan Opera House, New York State Theater, Julliard School, and other concert and recital organizations. In summer, there are bandshell concerts and in winter the Big Apple Circus.

Palladium, 126 East 14th Street, 212/473-7171. Once the Academy of Music, this dance club has a leather floor, "mood walls" and holograms. Rock greats come to this cavernous building to make the walls rumble with sound.

Radio City Music Hall, 1260 Avenue of the Americas, 212/247-4777. This famous Art Deco structure is recent home of the Grammy Awards, the Rockettes and some of the great musical artists of all time.