It has been two years since owner Simon Rowe opened Keys Jazz Bistro and changed San Francisco’s jazz music scene. Rowe is the former Executive Director of The Brubeck Institute and Founding Executive Director of the Roots, Jazz and American Music program at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and a distinguished entrepreneur, educator, pianist, and a master of the Hammond B3 organ. He fulfilled a lifelong dream when he opened Keys Jazz Bistro located in the same building that was once the home of El Matador, a beloved jazz spot of the 50’s, run by the legendary Barnaby Conrad and was a well-known gathering spot for some of the greatest names in jazz.
For two years, Keys Jazz Bistro has been creating and celebrating community around the art form and culture of jazz music. It continues to be supportive of artists at all stages of their pursuits, and has created a kind of sanctuary – a secular church – where artists and listeners connect in the moment as they share music, food and drink together.
Recently Simon Rowe generously agreed to Q & A with Splash Magazines Worldwide. Read on to learn the latest about this magical spot.
guests to the show
Your website states “Keys”…a sacred space in San Francisco for the art and culture of jazz “ Can you elaborate on these ideas?
Jazz music is one of the great, original American art forms….forged within African American culture over the last 300 years. It is revered and admired the world over and is best experienced in small, intimate spaces, which allow for the spontaneous symbiosis between the artist and their audience. Keys is that sacred space.
What were your goals for Keys when you opened 2 years ago?
Our vision is strong and simple: Beautiful music on stage; a room full of people; pay the rent. We seek to create a community comprising the finest of our bay area musicians, their National and International peers and the fans who adore them.
What was the high point and the low point during these two years?
Every night with beautiful music is a high point. Creating a sustainable business model has been a challenge, but we are honing our approach to curation and programming, working to expand the audience, and looking to create a presence as a space for other types of shows and events.
You are planning to celebrate your second anniversary. Can you share more about the anniversary plans?
We are thrilled to be presenting the very best of our artists in a jam-packed month-long celebration. We are also creating an opportunity for folks to join our community as “Keys to Keys” members.
As you partner with other jazz clubs in San Francisco in the passport program, how do you envision this changing the jazz scene?
Any effort that increases the awareness and traffic for folks seeking enjoyable and worthwhile experiences around the jazz music and culture is a win-win for all….musicians, their fans and the spaces that bring them together. Passport Program
What else would you like our Splash Magazine Worldwide readers to know about you and about Keys Jazz Bistro?
We would like to welcome your readers to Keys to experience the music and hospitality in an intimate concert space in the tradition of the great listening rooms the world over!
Keys offers two shows nightly Wednesdays through Sundays, with a full bar and well-curated food offerings. There is also a Saturday night Late show featuring an Organ Trio headed by Simon or other Bay Area Organ masters each week.
In addition to hosting top-notch talent, the vibe at the club is friendly – guests are warmly welcomed when they enter the bar/anteroom guests are warmly welcomed when they enter the bar/anteroom by GM and co-owner Eric Vance or the friendly Keys staff. There is comfortable seating for those just having a drink or waiting for the next show to start. The listening room is wide and shallow so a view of the stage and envelopment in the music is possible from every seat.
Photos by Jessica Levant Photography unless otherwise noted.
Keys Jazz Bistro
498 Broadway, San Francisco, 94133
in**@ke************.com
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