"Good to see you up and running," says an enthusiastic attendee Thursday night at the packed opening of Joe Segal's new Jazz Showcase. “Feels like 'Up and creeping,'" responds Segal, with characteristic dry humor and skepticism.
But there's a lot to be said for the perseverance of Chicago jazz club owners. Just as saxophonist Fred Anderson succeeded in reviving his Velvet Lounge on South Indiana, which was bulldozed in 2006, only to rise phoenix-like round the corner, Segal -- the undisputed godfather of Chicago jazz -- has bounced back again.
After massive rent increases ousted his previous Showcase from a River North location 18 months ago, Segal and his son Wayne have returned to business at a spacious new site in the handsome Dearborn Station building at 809 S. Plymouth Court.
Segal Sr., 82, wearily estimated this as the 60th venue at which he has presented jazz in the city. But after each setback or closure, his bebop emporium has resurfaced, undiminished, with improved facilities. The new room has a slightly larger capacity (170), than the Grand Avenue venue and as longtime door manager Chuck Cicero observes, “There are no pillars or obstructions, it's a straight shot to the stage."
But there's a lot to be said for the perseverance of Chicago jazz club owners. Just as saxophonist Fred Anderson succeeded in reviving his Velvet Lounge on South Indiana, which was bulldozed in 2006, only to rise phoenix-like round the corner, Segal -- the undisputed godfather of Chicago jazz -- has bounced back again.
After massive rent increases ousted his previous Showcase from a River North location 18 months ago, Segal and his son Wayne have returned to business at a spacious new site in the handsome Dearborn Station building at 809 S. Plymouth Court.
Segal Sr., 82, wearily estimated this as the 60th venue at which he has presented jazz in the city. But after each setback or closure, his bebop emporium has resurfaced, undiminished, with improved facilities. The new room has a slightly larger capacity (170), than the Grand Avenue venue and as longtime door manager Chuck Cicero observes, “There are no pillars or obstructions, it's a straight shot to the stage."
For more information contact All About Jazz.
