Last August, bass player and Llahngaelhyn owner Jerry Heldman threw a party for all the musicians and fans who used to patronize the coffeehouse. For two days, Seattle was a place where jazz was played. Although a lot of musicians who have since become successful had played at the club, few of them showed up for the reunion. And the music was all the better for it. Unless you have that nothing, you won't get any music.
Most clubs are so full of their own something that there is no room for anything to be created.
There is the box office, the kitchen, the bar, the office where receipts are reconciled and profits and losses calculated. And most of all, there is the fear when the house is empty . Who are there only to hear the music. Jazz is a kid on a fire escape blowing to be free. Once in a while, there is a place where that kid can bring his horn to try to make some music that might be worth listening to.