Sad news from the 'Ville

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Got an email last week informing me that the Jazz Factory, our great jazz club here in town, will be forced to close at the end of this month. I'll be playing the last three nights with the Harry Pickens trio, and on the last night, we'll be the house rhythm section for a farewell jam featuring any and all folks who have ever played there.

As someone who has played there 30-40 nights a year for the past 5 years, I'm at a loss for words. Some of my best playing experiences have been on that stage, and I'll miss it more than I can say. Here's the announcement as I got it from Ken Shapiro (who has run the place for the past 5 years):

Originally Posted by Ken Shapiro

Dear Faithful Jazz Fans,

I’m sad to inform you that The Jazz Factory® will suspend operations at the close of business on Saturday, March 29. For five years we have presented the very finest local, regional and national jazz talent, five nights a week, to Louisville audiences. However, during the five years we have been open, we have not found a way to make the business support itself. As a result, Dianne and I, together with our partners, made the difficult decision to close the doors at the end of this month. We will continue to try to find ways to save the business, or to continue in some other form. But for now, closing is the only option.

The Jazz Factory will continue its normal Tuesday-Saturday schedule through March 29, including performances by Ron Jones, Sarah Stivers, The New York Standards Quartet, Larry Coryell and Harry Pickens. On our final night, March 29, we have invited dozens of jazz musicians who have performed at The Jazz Factory to join Harry Pickens and his trio for a farewell jam.

All of us at The Jazz Factory want to thank you, our faithful patrons, for your support, encouragement and attendance over these past five years. We feel as if many of you have become a part of our extended family and we value the friendship and camaraderie we’ve shared. Although this is a sad time for the staff, the musicians and for many of you, we should all be heartened by memories of the brilliant music and inspirational artistry that so often was performed on our stage. To all of the musicians who played their hearts out…. To all of our patrons who marveled at their artistry…. To all of our faithful, loyal employees who saw the Jazz Factory as more than just another place to come to work…. and to our devoted partners Sam Rechter and Mary Morrow, whose encouragement, guidance and support kept us going: We are so grateful!

Dianne and I hope you’ll take an opportunity sometime during the next two weeks, while we’re still open, to take in a jazz performance or just to stop by and say hello. We’ll continue to send our weekly e-mail this week and next week, just to remind you of what’s coming up.

Best wishes,

Ken Shapero,
Managing Partner, The Jazz Factory

[Marcus Johnson]

Ahhhhhhhh crap.

[Francois Blais]

Sorry to hear that, Chris.
The main place for jazz, here in Quebec City, stop hiring musicians more than a year ago, so I know how you feel.
Out of curiosity, what was the cover charge there?

Best regards,
François

[christ andronis]

Chris...that sucks. Any chance of something else in town taking its place?

[Monkey]

I'm really sorry to hear that, Chris. Loosing a regular gig is horrible, and that sounds like a really cool venue.

The current state of the economy can't be helping any....

[Uncletoad]

Damn.

We've lost all them here too.

Better dust off those country chops and join me behind the chicken wire.

[Marcus Johnson]

Still not dead here, but I am starting to look at non-US venues for my jazz pursuits. In the meantime, I'm really glad to get calls from the popular Hawaiian artists to get paid a decent wage.

[Jeremy Allen]

That was my favorite place to play 'round these parts. Good sound, they supported jazz, and the smiling bartendresses were quick to fill your glass with some honest brown Kentucky liquor. This bums me out!

The last few times I played there, there were only about ten people in the place and we still were paid well. I should have seen the writing on the wall.

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Thanks, guys. It was real hit or miss on the weeknights, usually pretty good on weekends. The whole place was a class act. Never have I as a musician been treated so well and with such respect as I was there, from the first person you see at the door to the guys in the kitchen. I know the economy had a lot to do with it, and also a complete lack of support from the local paper. Whatever the reasons, I have a lot of great memories, and I feel like I grew up as a bassist there. Whatever comes next will be different, but I guess it's up to all of the musicians down here to keep getting the message out somehow wherever we can. I sure plan on leaving nothing behind next weekend no matter how late we end up playing.

[Mike Goodbar]

Sorry to hear that, Chris. I was hoping to make it down there sometime. Seems ironic to say, but it seems that more and more jazz is being shunned from smoky dark clubs and relegated to bright comfortable concert halls.

To rephrase the old joke:

Q. How does a jazz-club owner end up with a million dollars?
A. Start with 2 million.

[Sam Sherry]

That blows, Chris. My heart goes out to you and all the displaced.

[ArenW]

Jazz has taken a hit around here as well. There is really only one club in Fort Wayne that claims to be a jazz club, and the house band(while all being outstanding musicians and great guys) is a "somewhat jazzy" R&B/Classic Rock/Jam band. The only other way to play jazz here is to strip down to a two piece so each man makes $50, and stuff yourselves into whatever corner is available. Oh, and don't play to loudly, people are trying to eat and have conversation. The last thing they need is some jazzers making noise!

Real bummer...

[etoncrow]

Sorry to hear of your loss. I remember about twenty years ago that the Galt House had a jazz club inside. I suppose that too is long gone?

[Chris Fitzgerald]

The Galt House now has a "conservatory" between the two towers that has jazz on Friday night for 2 hours; mostly it's just people walking from one side to the other while the trio plays...

[etoncrow]

Nope. My memory failed me. The hotel I am thinking about was about six blocks south of the Galt House; on the otherside of the galleria. It's an old, old distinguished hotel that had a jazz club to the right when you entered the lobby from the street. I apologize for forgetting the name. Like I said, it was twenty years and several hundred hotels ago.

[Jeremy Allen]

That would be the Seelbach. They still have jazz there; it's a totally different vibe from the Factory, but at least it's still open. I think?

[Chris Fitzgerald]

The Seelbach is indeed still open, and manned each weekend by Dick Sisto, Tyrone Wheeler, and Mike Hyman. It's a totally different vibe there, especially since "4th street live" (lotsa bars, clubs, loud rock joints, etc.) opened up nearby. Or when there's a wedding reception at the hotel....gotta love drunken wedding revelers.

[etoncrow]

Yep, that's it! Sorry for deviating from the thread a bit. It just brought back some memories; in spite of not being able to remember the name of the hotel.

[Oric]

As a jazz fan from the next biggest city (go Cats!), I am sad to hear this too. There's not a crazy amount of music venues in Kentucky, and hearing of one going away is never good. Perhaps you've heard of the plans to build a giant phallic hotel/skyscraper in Lexington (which will be empty after the 2010 World Equestrian Games anyway), in the place where The Dame, one of Lexington's best music venues is?

[robgrow]

That is indeed bad news. The Blue Wisp Jazz Club here in Cincinnati was going through some tough times, but now has new owners. They seem to be doing a good job, and hopefully they will be able to keep the place open.