Velvet Lounge
Encyclopedia
Located on Chicago's South Side
, the Velvet Lounge is one of the city's longest-running jazz clubs. Hundreds of established modern jazz musicians have played in the club, leading to its reputation as "dusty epicenter of Midwest's free form jazz scene.
Until his death, saxophonist Fred Anderson
kept the Chicago club going almost single-handedly for nearly a quarter century — as club owner, sometimes-bartender, and resident mentor. Passers-by would hardly suspect it, but Anderson's divey Velvet Lounge, its bleak black facade crowned by a tattered "Old Style" beer sign, is known by aficionados worldwide as one of the cradles of contemporary jazz. Dozens of acclaimed albums have been recorded at the club, including a series of live recordings featuring Anderson himself on the Delmark
label.
The Velvet Lounge relocated in 2006 since the old venue was slated to be torn down and replaced by condominiums. The new location is only a block away from the old venue.
Many prominent musicians have honed their jazz abilities by playing at the Velvet Lounge early in their careers, particularly in the Sunday night jam sessions. Over the years, the sessions have been hosted by various prominent Chicago musicians. The classic lineup of the early-mid 1990s featured trumpeter Billy Brimfield, saxophonist Art Taylor
, pianist Jim Baker
, bassist Mike Cristol, and drummer Ajaramu (Gerald Donovan). Since the early 1990s, the "Velvet Graduates" who have come up through the Velvet scene include tenor saxophonist David Boykin, baritone saxophonist Aaron Getsug, bassist Karl E. H. Seigfried
, and drummer Isaiah Spencer.
South Side (Chicago)
The South Side is a major part of the City of Chicago, which is located in Cook County, Illinois, United States. Much of it has evolved from the city's incorporation of independent townships, such as Hyde Park Township which voted along with several other townships to be annexed in the June 29,...
, the Velvet Lounge is one of the city's longest-running jazz clubs. Hundreds of established modern jazz musicians have played in the club, leading to its reputation as "dusty epicenter of Midwest's free form jazz scene.
Until his death, saxophonist Fred Anderson
Fred Anderson (musician)
Fred Anderson was an American jazz tenor saxophonist who was based in Chicago, Illinois. With a distinctive forward-bent playing posture, Anderson's playing was rooted in the swing music and hard bop idioms, but also incorporated innovations from free jazz, rendering him, as critics Ron Wynn and...
kept the Chicago club going almost single-handedly for nearly a quarter century — as club owner, sometimes-bartender, and resident mentor. Passers-by would hardly suspect it, but Anderson's divey Velvet Lounge, its bleak black facade crowned by a tattered "Old Style" beer sign, is known by aficionados worldwide as one of the cradles of contemporary jazz. Dozens of acclaimed albums have been recorded at the club, including a series of live recordings featuring Anderson himself on the Delmark
Delmark Records
Delmark Records is an independent American jazz and blues record label, based in Chicago since 1958. The label originated in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1953 when owner Bob Koester released a recording of the Windy City Six, a traditional jazz group, under the "Delmar" imprint.-History:Born in 1932 in...
label.
The Velvet Lounge relocated in 2006 since the old venue was slated to be torn down and replaced by condominiums. The new location is only a block away from the old venue.
Many prominent musicians have honed their jazz abilities by playing at the Velvet Lounge early in their careers, particularly in the Sunday night jam sessions. Over the years, the sessions have been hosted by various prominent Chicago musicians. The classic lineup of the early-mid 1990s featured trumpeter Billy Brimfield, saxophonist Art Taylor
Art Taylor
Arthur S. Taylor, Jr. was an American jazz drummer of the hard bop school.After playing in the bands of Howard McGhee, Coleman Hawkins, Buddy DeFranco, Bud Powell, and George Wallington from 1948 to 1957, he formed his own group, the Wailers...
, pianist Jim Baker
Jim Baker
James Baker is an American attorney, politician, political administrator, and political advisor.James Baker, Jim Baker, or Jamie Baker may also refer to:-Public officials:...
, bassist Mike Cristol, and drummer Ajaramu (Gerald Donovan). Since the early 1990s, the "Velvet Graduates" who have come up through the Velvet scene include tenor saxophonist David Boykin, baritone saxophonist Aaron Getsug, bassist Karl E. H. Seigfried
Karl E. H. Seigfried
Karl E. H. Seigfried is a German-American jazz, rock, and classical bassist, guitarist, composer, bandleader, writer and educator based in Chicago....
, and drummer Isaiah Spencer.