More bad news for the Los Angeles jazz scene. Jo-Ann Ottaviano announced that due to the sluggish economy(not to mention the sluggish Angeleno), after 11 years, she has closed the doors to Charlie O's. The jazz club, located in the San Fernando Valley town of Van Nuys, had been a favorite “hang" for jazz lovers and musicians alike.
Charlie “O" Ottaviano, who ran the club until his untimely death in 2008, had always dreamed of opening a jazz club, and, in 2000, he finally succeeded. Over the years, thousands of great jazz musicians performed in the club's intimate setting which, until recently, offered live jazz every night of the year.
Since its second year, Charlie O's had been recognized by Down Beat magazine as one of the world's 100 best jazz venues. And with good reason. Charlie O's warm and inviting milieu, created by the Ottaviano's and the loyal staff, allowed the music makers and the audience to mingle and interact in a way that is rare these days.
On any given night, the featured band would be joined by friends who dropped by and just happened to have their “ax" in hand. For much of that time, the hard swingin' bassist, John Heard and his trio, including legendary drummer Roy McCurdy, held court on the weekends in support of a long list of unforgettable soloists.
The local jazz community owes Charlie O and Jo-Ann a real debt of gratitude for their selfless labors in keeping their jazz dream alive and giving all of us a hip place to go at night.
Charlie “O" Ottaviano, who ran the club until his untimely death in 2008, had always dreamed of opening a jazz club, and, in 2000, he finally succeeded. Over the years, thousands of great jazz musicians performed in the club's intimate setting which, until recently, offered live jazz every night of the year.
Since its second year, Charlie O's had been recognized by Down Beat magazine as one of the world's 100 best jazz venues. And with good reason. Charlie O's warm and inviting milieu, created by the Ottaviano's and the loyal staff, allowed the music makers and the audience to mingle and interact in a way that is rare these days.
On any given night, the featured band would be joined by friends who dropped by and just happened to have their “ax" in hand. For much of that time, the hard swingin' bassist, John Heard and his trio, including legendary drummer Roy McCurdy, held court on the weekends in support of a long list of unforgettable soloists.
The local jazz community owes Charlie O and Jo-Ann a real debt of gratitude for their selfless labors in keeping their jazz dream alive and giving all of us a hip place to go at night.
