Jazz Factory to Suspend Operations

"Dear Faithful Jazz Fans,



I’m sad to inform you that The Jazz Factory® will suspend operations at the close of business on Saturday, March 29. For five years we have presented the very finest local, regional and national jazz talent, five nights a week, to Louisville audiences. However, during the five years we have been open, we have not found a way to make the business support itself. As a result, Dianne and I, together with our partners, made the difficult decision to close the doors at the end of this month. We will continue to try to find ways to save the business, or to continue in some other form. But for now, closing is the only option.



The Jazz Factory will continue its normal Tuesday-Saturday schedule through March 29, including performances by Ron Jones, Sarah Stivers, The New York Standards Quartet, Larry Coryell and Harry Pickens. On our final night, March 29, we have invited dozens of jazz musicians who have performed at The Jazz Factory to join Harry Pickens and his trio for a farewell jam.



All of us at The Jazz Factory want to thank you, our faithful patrons, for your support, encouragement and attendance over these past five years. We feel as if many of you have become a part of our extended family and we value the friendship and camaraderie we’ve shared. Although this is a sad time for the staff, the musicians and for many of you, we should all be heartened by memories of the brilliant music and inspirational artistry that so often was performed on our stage. To all of the musicians who played their hearts out…. To all of our patrons who marveled at their artistry…. To all of our faithful, loyal employees who saw the Jazz Factory as more than just another place to come to work…. and to our devoted partners Sam Rechter and Mary Morrow, whose encouragement, guidance and support kept us going: We are so grateful!



Dianne and I hope you’ll take an opportunity sometime during the next two weeks, while we’re still open, to take in a jazz performance or just to stop by and say hello. We’ll continue to send our weekly e-mail this week and next week, just to remind you of what’s coming up."



Best wishes,



Ken Shapero,

Managing Partner, The Jazz Factory

I am beyond sad to hear this. I've been a few times in my three years in L'ville and always enjoyed food and the music.
Great good luck in the future.

Hate to see this. Nothing else like it in Louisville. You will be missed.

Best of luck on any new endeavors.

I'm really sorry to hear this. Between the few trips I have made over there for dinner and music, to just listening to the replays on WFPK on Sunday's, I will surely miss this place.

Good luck on your next endeavor!

wow
my ears are deeply depressed

i hope that other venues in the area will be willing to continue to provide live Jazz for Louisville audiences

good luck

i enjoyed the WFPK broadcasts immensely (allowed me to listen while i work)

thank you for providing such a great venue for Louisville music

This blows, but it's not too different from problems that we have with the other performing arts (and yes, I consider jazz in this category). Without benefactors to underwrite and outright financially support the performances there will be less and less live theater, ballet, classical music and jazz.

I just started going to the Jazz Factory last year. I too am saddened.

People in other forums have been commenting about how it being in a "bad location" sealed its demise. But it's hard to believe this with the place lasting for five years, and being situated around the corner from "Museum Row" and beneath the popular Glassworks.

I think the reality is that Louisvillians in general aren't very good at supporting high quality cultural venues off the beaten path. Unless something has major media attention in this town, it tends to go unnoticed. I would prefer to believe that the Jazz Factory is closing simply because not enough people in the region even knew it existed. The word of mouth didn't travel fast enough.

I know that there are many jazz lovers here in Louisville. But after Jazz Factory shut down, there doesn't seem to be much live jazz except for places like Jeff Ruby's and the Seelbach Hotel which are both downtown.

For those of you looking for live jazz music during the week, Sake Blue Japanese Bistro, is now having the former members of Java Men* (*Craig Wagner on guitar, *Todd Hildreth on piano, and Mike Hyman on drums) perform every Tuesday night. It's certainly no Jazz Factory, but ff we get enough support for Craig and his band, we're hoping to have them perform on the weekends too.

Mapquest and Google Maps both have incorrect directions so please do not rely on it! Sake Blue is located off Bardstown Rd right by the Gene Snyder. We're wedged right between Super Wal-Mart and Krogers. 502-708-1500

Not to take away from your announcement, but the Comedy Caravan on Bardstown Road is also having jazz with some regularity. The even call it something like the Jazz Factory Orphan series ....