The Musical Box

Sad news out of Louisville: The Jazz Factory is closing. After five years of performances by local and nationally recognized artists in a comfortable, modern environment that rivaled many of the country’s most prestigious jazz clubs, the venue is shutting its doors following sold out sets tonight and Saturday by Louisville pianist Harry Pickens and his trio (pictured above at the club in December 2006).

Admittedly, building a music establishment solely around live jazz may be something of a death wish in this part of the country. But, boy, did Jazz Factory foreman Ken Shapero and staff ever a make a grand stab at it.

Since becoming acquainted with The Jazz Factory three years ago via a jazz trio performance by Peter Gabriel keyboardist Rachel Z, I have been privileged to be part of the audience at many a fine performance at the club. They have included concerts by pianist/song stylist Mose Allison, fusion keyboardist Brian Auger, trombonist Delfayo Marsalis, pianist Mulgrew Miller, longtime Ray Charles saxophonist David “Fathead” Newman, guitarist/vocalist Doug Wamble, the prog-rock trio Tunnels and many others.

Two nights especially stand out. The first came in September 2006, when auxiliary members of The Rolling Stones led by saxophonist Tim Ries arrived in Louisville ahead of a Churchill Downs performance to jam at the club. The music, which included a flamenco version of Angie, was exemplary. But it was an even bigger thrill to watch a packed house full of young listeners encounter what may very well have been their first live jazz performance.

The other came last August when former Miles Davis saxophonist Kenny Garrett played a set of volcanic bop and spiritually inclined improvisations. Aside from brief introductions of the band members, no words were spoken for the entire set. As is often the case with great jazz, none were needed.

So jazz now has one less place to call home in Kentucky. But Shapero and company can feel proud of the superlative music they have brought to the region as well as the way they made every patron that walked through the club’s doors feel welcome. Well done, friends.