HARK!
I hear … mo jazz … mo blues ... mo music ...
With the Hark Valley live music scene treading water, at best -- and some places like Club Red, Char's Has the Blues and the Lunchbox going underwater -- it’s more than heartwarming to hear about a new place jumping in the water.
Even if it took a while.
Westside Blues and Jazz, “the first nightclub in the Valley specializing in live jazz, motown and rhythm and blues,” is up and swimmin’.
Finally.
Owned and operated by Glendale-based residents, Paul Vincent Perez and Cindi Jackson, Westside Blues and Jazz was planned to come March 2020.
And then … covid …
“The club's grand opening was scheduled just weeks before the shelter in place orders and the COVID-19 shut downs, forcing it to close before it ever opened,” according to a press release.
“Now a year later, Cindi and Paul’s dream is finally coming true and Westside Blues and Jazz is officially open to the public.”
At the club posted a few months ago: ·
“We have been given the green light to open! Better late than never, as they say..... We are scheduled to open April 9, 2021! We will be open Thursday, Friday, Saturday nights and Sunday afternoon! We will add additional days as we gear up.
Seating will be limited inside with additional seating outside. Reservations are strongly recommended!”
After a few months of “soft opening,” WB&J had its grand opening in July.
Things aren’t back to normal at a place that never has known what normal is: ”Covid 19 guidelines will be followed and will be strictly adhered to!”
If nothing else, this is another place for Big Pete Pearson to jam.
On Aug. 5, he had his mojo workin.
Alice Tatum was in the house a couple nights before; she’s a WB&J fav. https://www.facebook.com/alice.tatum.56
As her website notes, “Alice Tatum is an award-winning and critically acclaimed singer who has been a fixture on the Phoenix music scene for more than 30 years. She is an accomplished jazz vocalist and excels in pop music genres.”
Tip of the keyboard, by the way, to WB&J’s Facebook page: Excellent use of video clips! It gives a flavor of the intimacy of the new club, with pretty good sound quality on the clips.
August shows include:
THE BLUES REVIEW BAND WITH BLUESMAN MIKE
Thursday August 12th
DIANA LEE FEATURING DENNIS ROWLAND (JAZZ)
Friday August 13th
THE SUGAR THIEVES (BLUES)
Saturday August 14th
CHARLES LEWIS (JAZZ)
Sunday August 15th
THE RATIO BAND
Thursday August 19th
Plenty more upcoming shows here: https://westsideblues.com/glendale-westside-blues-events
According to press material, “Paul and Cindi designed Westside Blues and Jazz to be a comfortable, casual and welcoming space for all to enjoy. With plush sofas and oversized chairs, the nightclub features open-style, first-come-first served seating that is family-friendly, accessible and affordable.”
A nightclub -- with a family atmosphere...
Other local regulars include Francine Reed; Beth Lederman; Cros; We3 & The Sahnas Brothers; Bluesman Mike; Diana Lee; Alice Tatum; Nolaz Band;Sandra Bassett; Ike Ramalho; Ratio Band; Chuck Hall; and Charles Lewis Quintet.
“Owning a blues and jazz nightclub has been on my ‘Bucket List’ for more than 25 years and has always been a dream of mine,” said Perez. “After retiring in 2019, I decided to turn my dream into a reality and open Westside Blues and Jazz. I want to expose blues and jazz to a wider community and provide a friendly and casual social scene with high quality music for all to enjoy.”
The nightclub features a 2,500-square foot lounge-style seating area, dance floor, full-service bar and an outdoor patio.
Perez and Jackson went for a “Prohibition era décor,” with vintage high top tables and bar stools and dim lights.
Jackson, the niece of Arizona saxophonist Lou Garno, says jazz is in her blood: “I was empowered to open a jazz club that celebrates and honors the history of blues and jazz. We also opened Westside Blues and Jazz out of necessity; we knew there weren’t any full-service blues and jazz clubs in the Valley that offered live music in a traditional lounge setting. We wanted to change that.”
Westside Blues and Jazz is located at 17045 N. 59th Ave. Suite #104, Glendale, AZ, 85308. Live music is hosted every Thursday from 6:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. (doors open at 5 p.m.), Fridays and Saturdays 8 p.m., – midnight (doors open at 6 p.m.) and Sunday afternoons 2 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. (doors open at noon).
With the Westside booming, this place should do real nice...