"No talking" at Jazz Factory ....your opinion, ple

Took my best friend (legendary local singer) to the Jazz Factory Friday to celebrate her birthday- group of 8. We made reservations, rented limo. Reservations were 6:45, we were seated at 7:10 in the back. We ordered wine and dinner, then the show started at 7:30. The announcer (owner?) announced that the show was "acoustic" and requested that nobody talk. Here's my beef; if I had known that, I would not have paid $10 each at a birthday celebration. We would not have been rowdy, but would gladly speak quietly. Nowhere on the website did they indicate this rule. Nor was it posted outside or inside the club, nor did our server or person taking the reservation say anything about the gag rule. I've been there before and this wasn't the case. We had presents to open and looked forward to a festive night. We scarfed down some very good food, then had to pay the limo $50 more to take us to the Pink Door where we could talk, laugh, etc.
My friend sings yearly at the Barnstable party, she's a pro. I'm a musician as well, and both of us have worked all over town as well as with pro artists. I've never heard of this! If it were you, how would you feel? I think we deserve a refund of the cover (we only stayed through 3 songs) because it ruined half the night. ??

Ruined is too strong a word, sorry. It put a major damper on our celebration by not being able to say a word. I think, to be fair, that it should have been stated in advance, that's all!

I respectfully disagree. Bands with singers at parties or bars have a reasonable expectation that people will talk during their set. I think a place like the Jazz Factory is different and the focus is on the performance more than the company. I think attention to the artist in that setting requires a minimum of conversation. Just my opinion. Ken Shapero is a real gentleman and if you had explained your situation he might have made some kind of accommodation. That said, he probably ought to post the policy on his web site.

I have been to jazz clubs around the world and even worked in one in Chicago (called the BopShop, I used to do the door there and sleep on their couch back in the early 90s) and I can't remember any of them that enforced a 'no talking' rule.

I think this is just silly. People who want to enjoy jazz music or any kind of music in a silent setting should go to the theater to see it.

When you're in a jazz bar having drinks with friends I think the setting is suitable for low-volume respectful to the artist conversation.

I have only been to the jazz factory once and we had no problems with talkin' and enjoying the music. The musician is a friend of mine and I even asked him after the show if he had been disturbed by our conversation. 'No", was his answer.

I like the room at the jazz factory but if I can't chat it up or shout out, 'Go, man go' during some inspired jazzing then I think that's silly.
Can you imaging a no-talking policy at the Five Spot? The Cotton Club? Birdland? Tonic? or any of the other legendary jazz clubs?

NO WAY! Jazz is all about joy ! freedom ! improvisation !

Carnegie Hall is 'nother matter. There I'm mum.

I count Ken as a friend and am probably therefore biased. However, I also spent twenty five years playing in clubs, and I know what a joy it is to play in a place where the audience is there to enjoy the music. I think having an interested audience is a real selling point for the Jazz Factory, and helps them attract headliners at prices we can all afford. Every time I've been there the "no talking, please" speech has been given up front, but that's no reason to assume everyone knows that will be asked of them. Put it on the website? Makes good sense. But, I also am really happy we have a club like Ken's in Louisville. Regardless, sorry it didn't make for a good night for you.

I've been there before and this wasn't the case.

I've never been there when it was not the case. The Jazz Factory is all about the music, period. They discourage talking during the sets.

It's great you found another venue to continue the party. After all, isn't that the purpose of a limo - to travel to another place?

I have been 2 or 3 times, and I don't remember any "no talking" preface, but the last time I was there I wished there had been.

I do think it depends on the style of jazz being played.

I think a venue like that is complicated by the food (and even drink). If it were strictly a performance space, then talking would probably be annoying. But when you factor in booze, and especially dinner, people are going to naturally chat with each other. Even in some of my favorite old Chicago haunts, like the Gold Star Sardine Bar, or The Back Room, B.L.U.E.S., Pops for Champagne, or I dunno, a handful of places like them, places with fabulous jazz, essentially performances spaces in a bar-like space, people talked. I didn't find it distracting at all. If I'm at Orchestra Hall and folks are chatting all around me? That's a whole nother thing, or even Jazz Showcase, which was a sort of small Orchestra Hall for jazz.

It seems to me the no-talking rule should be more obviously indicated to customers, and that a place like the Jazz Factory might consider offering more private rooms for groups to enjoy dinner and music together. I know they have private space for larger groups, but a group of 8 is a pretty big group in a place like that.

It seems to me the no-talking rule should be more obviously indicated to customers...

I agree with that. Apparently, management has decided that the primary purpose of the venue is for jazz lovers and musicians to enjoy or perform the music without the distractions of nearby conversation (or cigarette smoke, by the way). I've always thought that was just a given - kind of like no Budweiser at Rich-O's and no credit cards at Pat's Steakhouse. It might not be written anywhere; it's just the way it is.

I have had many musical experiences ruined by self-absorbed buffoons who didn't respect the artists or the people who came to hear them. If you want to party go somewhere else. Ditto for the movie theater.. if you can't sit still and turn off your cell phones for 90 minutes, then stay home and rent DVD's. The world is not your living room.

I have had many musical experiences ruined by self-absorbed buffoons who didn't respect the artists or the people who came to hear them. If you want to party go somewhere else. Ditto for the movie theater.. if you can't sit still and turn off your cell phones for 90 minutes, then stay home and rent DVD's. The world is not your living room.

Wow, that was incredibly presumptuous.

There is a vast, deep, cavernous divide between "no talking" and partiers acting like buffons. Surely there is a more reasonable solution and a less restrictive request / direction could be made to the audience.

Thanks Aaron. I believe I stated that we were musicians and certainly know how to act in public. I am not a buffoon at a respectable joint. I also cannot compare sucking in carcinogens to the quiet murmers from tables nearby. As a musician, I am glad to have people come hear me and I am not offended by conversation. That said, Mr Shapero certainly has the right to run his club the way he deems fit. I "asumed" it was more of a supper club. Seems there are others who were unaware of the policy. Thanks to all of you for the interesting adult discussion of this matter. I thank those of you who agreed that the policy should be posted on the web site or at the club. I think Mr Shapero has done a fine thing bringing this venue to Louisville and I applaud him for giving musicians clean air!
btw...the limo charges you extra every time you make another stop!

Thanks Aaron. I believe I stated that we were musicians and certainly know how to act in public. I am not a buffoon at a respectable joint. I also cannot compare sucking in carcinogens to the quiet murmers from tables nearby. As a musician, I am glad to have people come hear me and I am not offended by conversation. That said, Mr Shapero certainly has the right to run his club the way he deems fit. I "asumed" it was more of a supper club. Seems there are others who were unaware of the policy. Thanks to all of you for the interesting adult discussion of this matter. I thank those of you who agreed that the policy should be posted on the web site or at the club. I think Mr Shapero has done a fine thing bringing this venue to Louisville and I applaud him for giving musicians clean air!
!

I have been a few times and have never heard him say "no talking". Great place. Agree that they should tell you when making reservations, on the website, and newsletter he has, telling you the policy.

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Wow, that was incredibly presumptuous.

There is a vast, deep, cavernous divide between "no talking" and partiers acting like buffons. Surely there is a more reasonable solution and a less restrictive request / direction could be made to the audience.[/quote]

My point was that there is a time and place for everything. There are clubs around town where one can make all the noise they care to.

I stated that we were musicians and certainly know how to act in public.

Must be different kind of musicians than my friends . . .