Baker's Keyboard Lounge facts for kids
Baker's Keyboard Lounge is a famous jazz club in Detroit, Michigan. It's located at 20510 Livernois Avenue. This club opened in May 1933. It is the oldest jazz club in Detroit that has been open continuously.
Contents
History of Baker's
How it Started
In 1933, Chris and Fannie Baker first opened Baker's. It was a sandwich restaurant where people could have lunch. In 1934, their son, Clarence Baker, started inviting jazz pianists to play. But at that time, it was still mostly known as a restaurant.
Clarence took over the club in 1939. He started bringing in pianists from outside Detroit. A local pianist named Pat Flowers played there for many years, from 1940 to 1954.
In 1952, the club was made bigger and updated. It got its cool Art Deco look, which it still has today. By 1955, Baker's started featuring really big jazz stars. Famous musicians like Art Tatum, Dave Brubeck, and Gerry Mulligan played there. In the 1960s, the club focused more on a style of jazz called Hard Bop.
Baker's is known for many things. It has a long history of showing both local and famous jazz acts. The sound quality is excellent. It's a small, cozy place, seating only 99 people. It has unique Art Deco furniture. There's a special piano-shaped bar with a keyboard design. Paintings of European cities by Harry Julian Carew decorate the walls. Tilted mirrors let you watch the pianist's hands. The club even has a Steinway piano that Art Tatum helped choose! You can still see an old price list from 1934. It shows beer cost 26 cents back then.
In 1986, Baker's was named an Historic Site. This means it's a very important place in Michigan's history. It's known as Michigan's "jazz mecca." It has hosted many of the greatest names in jazz and blues. Some of these include Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Oscar Peterson, Sarah Vaughan, and Nat King Cole.
More Recent Times
In the 1970s and 1980s, the club became less popular. It almost closed several times. In 1996, Clarence Baker sold the club after owning it for 57 years. The new owners, John Colbert and Juanita Jackson, faced challenges. Fewer people were interested in live jazz. They tried to bring in different types of music, like R&B and comedy.
The club became popular again for a while. But in 2010, there were money problems. Many people thought the club would finally close. In 2011, Hugh W. Smith III and Eric Whitaker Sr. bought the club. They promised to keep Baker's open as a jazz club.
In 2016, the Detroit City Council made Baker's Keyboard Lounge a Historic District. This means the building cannot be torn down. Its outside look cannot be changed without special permission. With Detroit becoming more popular again, Baker's is also getting lots of attention.
Famous Musicians and Shows
Many very famous musicians have played at Baker's Keyboard Lounge. These include jazz legends like Louis Armstrong, John Coltrane, Oscar Peterson, Fats Waller, Wes Montgomery, Erroll Garner, Art Tatum, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, and George Shearing.
A musician named Terry Pollard was discovered at Baker's in 1952-53. She then joined the Terry Gibbs Quartet for a national tour.
The singer Barbra Streisand performed at Baker's in 1961. She was not famous yet at that time.
Charles Mingus played at Baker's in September 1969. These shows were part of his return to music that year.
Guitarist Earl Klugh said that visiting Baker's as a teenager helped his music career. He met famous artists there, like George Benson and Chick Corea. He later toured or recorded with them.
Music Recorded at Baker's
Some albums and music videos have been made at Baker's Keyboard Lounge.
- Father Tom Vaughan recorded his 1967 album Motor City Soul there.
- Woody Shaw recorded his album Bemsha Swing at Baker's in 1986. It was released after he passed away.
- In 1987, Anita Baker filmed the music video for her song "Same Ole Love" at the club.
- Saxophonist James Carter recorded the album Live at Baker's Keyboard Lounge there in 2001.
See also
- List of jazz clubs
