HOW A WINDOW CLEANER GETS ME A JAZZ CLUB
Life has a funny way of handing out opportunities. And none could be sillier than my conversion to Jazz booker/promoter. Caught between acting jobs, I found myself running a bar that was no more than a converted horses stable at the rear of a large Victorian Pub in Victoria Park. Despite the persistent efforts of the owners, the bar, which was tiny, had remained virtually empty since its inception.
'Do as you please with it they said' 'Just get us some cliental in'. So, I went about doing exactly that. But since it's my nature to do a little more than just play hostess and serve the clients, I decided to add some music nights recruiting muscians from late night bars around Camden. Each night was packed to the hilt leaving little room for even miniscule me to weave between the tables with the drinks. And, that was when one of my regulars a window cleaner called Peter suggested I pop over to Central Bar and introduce myself to the manager Nigel who had an empty upstairs floor dying to be filled.
A couple of nights of music in a bar the size of a small horse's stable hardly constitutes an impressive career as a Jazz Booker/promoter, and would of course produce a very thin CV indeed. But, necessity is the mother of invention, so I got to work with a helpful friend cobbling together what looked like at first glance a very impressive folio of Jazz gigs and contacts from all around London; including, of course, an enormous amount of shall we say 'stretching of the truth'.
When I first entered Nigel's bar, I knew instantly it would be a wonderful place to work, as all the staff were happy as Larry, which is always a sign management is nice. And so Nigel was. Of course, I'm sure he wasn't completely convinced by my folio of Jazz greats and invaluable contacts, and most likely just gave me the job because he thought she's clearly determined as hell to do this. Which I was. And so began my life as the Jazz booker/promoter of the Central Bar in London thanks to Peter who cleaned Central Bar's windows.
Visited your venue many times Flavia. Great memories. So many talented players. Favourites were Gilad Atzmon and Peter King and the club was so cosy and intimate you could get right up and close to the musicians. Blog is great. Like the back story on how you fell into the game. Fascinating.
ReplyDeleteOne of the best little jazz bars in London. Loved your policy on Tuesday nights of showcasing young musicians from the Guildhall school of music. Can't think of any club in London who did that. Hats off to you!
ReplyDeleteI remember you very well Flavia. You were such a Glamour puss. Once saw you at the club in a fantastic leopard print fedora! Do you still have that hat?
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