According to a recent post in the Los Angeles Times' "Pop & Hiss"' music blog, the storied Jazz Bakery — SoCal's only non-profit jazz house, open 7 nights a week — will be closing the doors on its current location come May 31.
Proprietor Ruth Price, who has been subsisting on a month-to-month lease at the club's current Culver City digs, was notified recently that the space would likely be turned into a furniture store. Although Price does not have a new home for the venue yet, she plans to reopen in the fall (hopefully on the West Side, near the club's current locale).
Meanwhile, a series of summer events will be held at various locations to help maintain the club's presence. Remaining performances at the current nightspot include Steve Coleman's 5 Elements (April 8-11), Chris Potter's Underground (April 13-15), the Eric Alexander Quartet (April 22-25) and the Dave Valentin/Bill O'Connell ensemble "Triple Play" (April 29-May 2). Most of the May calender of concerts has not yet been posted to the club's website.
Originally conceived and founded 16 years ago by Price as a showcase for local talent, the venue's reputation has grown to an international stature in the world of jazz through Price's uncompromising artistic vision: bringing the finest in world-class "A" list jazz into a space to perform where the contract between jazz musician and audience is focused and unspoiled. During the gig, there are no servers plunking down drinks in front of you, no food served in the club, and every seat is excellent. The Jazz Bakery is really, truly and purely about the music.
Read the entire story online at the LA Times website.
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