WHEN I FIRST BECAME A JAZZ FAN IN THE 1970S, LOS ANGELES WAS BRIMMING OVER WITH CLUBS TO ATTEND. THERE WASN’T A NIGHT A WEEK WHERE SOMEONE WASN’T PLAYING AT PLACES L IKE DONTE’S, THE LIGHTHOUSE, CONCERTS BY THE SEA, ALPONSES, THE BAKED POTATO, CARMELOS, PASQUALES…NEED I GO ON TO GET YOU MORE DEPRESSED?
TODAY, THERE ARE ONLY A FEW JAZZ CLUBS LEFT STANDING, SO WHEN A NEW ONE OPENS UP,EVEN IF IT’S A THREE HOUR DRIVE (“A THREE HOUR TOUR”) AWAY, IT’S WORTH CHECKING OUT. SO, I DID!
IN PASO ROBLES, BEST KNOWN FOR WINERIES, COUNTRY MUSIC AND THE CALIFORNIA MID STATE FAIR, LOCAL JAZZ FAN COREY JORDAN DECIDED TO PUT THE TOWN ON THE MAP FOR BEING A JAZZ HAVEN, STARTING UP A CLUB , LIBRETTO, IN DOWNTOWN PASO. HIS GOAL IS TO ATTRACT FANS BOTH LOCAL TO THE AREA AND VISITING TO SEE ALL OF THE WINERIES AND STOP BY FOR AN EVENING OR TWO OF MUSIC TO SIP A GLASS OR TWO OF THE LOCAL VINTAGES.
THE BRILLIANT ASPECT OF LIBRETTO, AND WHAT GIVES IT THE BEST CHANCE OF LASTING A LONG TIME, IS THE IDEA OF HAVING A PAID MEMBERSHIP TO THE CLUB. INSTEAD OF HUSTLING DRINKS AND MEALS, LIKE MOST CLUBS, OR BEGGING FOR DONATIONS, JORDAN CAME UP WITH THE INSPIRATION OF HAVING THE FANS PAY A CERTAIN FEE THAT ALLOWS THEM TOP PRIORITY FOR SEATING, AS WELL AS OTHER BENEFITS
I JUST TOOK IN A NIGHT AT THE 62 SEAT VENUE, AND TO BE PERFECTLY FRANK, IT HAD BY FAR NOT ONLY THE MOST COMFORTABLE SEATS I’VE EVER HAD IN A JAZZ CLUB, BUT IT ALSO HAD THE CLEAREST AND MOST COMPLEMENTARY LIGHTING FOR THE BAND. NONE OF THOSE OBNOXIOUS LED LIGHTS THAT MAKE EVERYONE LOOK PURPLE ON STAGE!
THE CLUB ITSELF HAS A HIP VIBE, BEING DOWN A FLIGHT OF STAIRS AND IN A COZY BRICK AND LIMESTONE LADEN ROOM, ADDING TO THE INTIMACY OF THE BLUES.
THE SOUND SYSTEM WAS CRYSTAL CLEAR, MAKING FOR SUPERB APPRECIATION OF TAYLOR EIGSTI’S TRIO. AND, DID I MENTION THAT PARKING IS FREE? IF YOU ARE FROM LA OR SFO, THOSE WORDS ARE LIKE A BALM IN GILEAD!
WE HAD A CHANCE TO GIVE A Q AND A TO JORDAN, AND, LIKE THE CLUB ITSELF, HE WAS ACCESSIBLE, WARM AND FRIENDLY.
DID YOU GROW UP GOING TO JAZZ CLUBS? HOW DID YOU BECOME A FAN?
I will be honest, I grew up studying classical piano and never listened to much Jazz before 2017. A close friend turned me onto Miles Davis “Kind of Blue” and that really piqued my interest in the genre.
WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE OPENING UP LIBRETTO?
I made my living in my late twenties and early thirties writing and producing orchestral jingles for catalogues. I produced some larger works for Red Bull Media House before the pandemic hit in 2020.
HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE CONCEPT OF “MEMBERSHIP” TO A CLUB? HOW EXACTLY DOES IT WORK. WHAT ARE THE TRADEOFFS OF RUNNING A NIGHTCLUB THIS WAY? A friend and contractor told me of this “membership” he belonged to at a Tailor in Las Vegas. You paid a monthly or yearly fee to have your own locker to keep your bourbon or scotch, and as a member you could be measured for your suit and have it cut while you played a game of pool and drank your Macallan. We applied a similar concept to our production. Members pay a monthly or annual fee to attend any concert they wish, and they have the special locker with their name engraved. It has been a great way for us to keep consistent cash flow and offer a curated and engaged audience to our performers
AT THIS POINT, WHAT PERCENTAGE OF YOUR AUDIENCE ARE CLUB MEMBERS?
When we first opened, it was about 20%,but now 80% of the people who come are members.
IF SOMEONE JUST WALKS BY AND DECIDES TO COME IN, WHAT THE OPTIONS FOR SEEING A GIG? As of now, you can buy a walk in ticket as long as we haven’t sold out. You can also buy tickets on our website librettopaso.com/events
SO, MEMBERSHIP IS NOT MANDATORY?
As of this point no, we will become a “members only” experience spring of next year. You will still be able to join the show as a walk in, but will have to purchase a membership day pass.
ARE MEMBERS ALLOWED TO BRING ANYONE UNDER 21 TO SEE THE BANDS? Yes, we are technically licensed as a restaurant so all ages can enjoy our performances. Of course, no alcohol will be served to anyone under 21 and ID is required to purchase drinks.
IS FOOD SERVED AT LIBRETTO, AND HOW IS IT TO FIND PARKING? We have small bites including charcuterie boards, cheese boards, bread service, caviar, sliders, pate mousse and a few desserts as well. We also have quite an extensive list of rare Taittanger champagnes as well. Parking is free surrounding the venue
AS FOR FINDING TALENT, DO YOU GO LOOKING FOR THEM, OR ARE THEY SEEKING YOU OUT? We have been fortunate that after the first year we have built a solid network of musicians that now we work mostly off of recommendations.
WHAT IS THE “LOCAL” TALENT LIKE IN THE CENTRAL COAST? ARE YOU ABLE TO GET “BIG” NAMES COMING DOWN FROM THE BAY OR UP FROM LOS ANGELES? We have some killer local talent here on the central coast, shout out to drummer Darrell Voss and bassist Dylan Johnson. They are the first call to play with any touring out of town talent. 80% of our musicians come from the LA area, 10% Bay Area, and about an even blend of locals and east coasters, international artists for the last 10%
ON WEEKENDS, IT CAN BE TOUGH TO FIND A PLACE TO STAY. WHERE DO THE VISITING ARTISTS STAY WHEN IN TOWN? We have a private 3 room guest apartment across the street from the venue dedicated just for musicians who play at Libretto. There’s a gorgeous upright Steinway in the room that allows for practicing as well!
HAVE YOU HAD ANY MULTI_DAY RUNDS, SUCH AS FOR A WEEK, OR RESIDENCES BY A SINGLE ARTIST? We have done a few multi day runs (John Beasley, Benny Green, Max Haymer, Josh Nelson, Artur Menezes, Scott Wilkie) and will begin moving more in that direction next year. Multiple days of one performance
IN A TOWN BEST KNOWN FOR COUNTRY AND WESTERN, WHICH ARTISTS HAVE GOTTEN THE BEST RESPONSES SO FAR? We have been fortunate to have some pretty packed houses. The ones that stand out the most are; Benny Green, David Beniot, Mike Garson & Artur Menezes
WHO IS ON YOUR “WISH LIST” TO PLAY HERE?
Diana Krall, Emmet Cohen and Chris Martin
YOU GET A LOT OF PIANISTS AT YOUR CLUB. WHAT’S SO SPECIAL ABOUT YOUR PIANO? WHAT ARE MUSICIANS SAYING ABOUT THE CLUB?
Our house piano is a very special Concert & Artist “C&A” series Steinway & Sons Grand piano that spent most of its life with the LA Philharmonic at Disney Hall. Most every single one of our pianists have complimented it as one of the best instruments they have ever played. We are grateful to have legendary Technician Brian Alexander (Chick Correa) on hand to keep the instrument in shape. We have had Steinway & Sons artists David Benoit, Gloria Cheng, Matt Rollings, George Ko, John Novacek, John Beasley all compliment on the pianos abilities and sonic textures.
ARE YOU ABLE TO DO ANY RECORDING OF SHOWS?
Absolutely. We have a record out, Jeff Babko & David Piltch, live at Libretto. Pressed straight to vinyl, you can find it at your local record store. We also have recorded Mike Garson, Peter Smith, Rachel Eckroth and more.
DID YOU TALK TO OTHER CLUB OWNERS ABOUT THE PROS AND CONS?
I did not, for the most part, but David Robaire, who runs Sam First Bar in LA, gave me some encouragement
WHAT SUGGESTIONS HAVE THE MUSICIANS GIVEN YOU?
Every now and then we get constructive criticism but most feedback we hear is a message of gratitude or a tip of the cap to our hospitality. Musicians who feel like they are being listened to seem to have more to say.
IN CASE YOU MIGHT NOT NOTICE, A LOT OF ARTISTS ARE PASSING LOS ANGELES BY AND SKIPPING THE VENUES, SIMPLY BECAUSE IT’S EITHER TOO EXPENSIVE OR NOT SUPPORTED ENOUGH BY THE LOCALS. A FEW HOURS NORTH, LIBRETTO FEELS LIKE IT’S BECOMING AN OASIS IN A JAZZ DESERT, WITH ENOUIGH MUSIC AND MOOD TO REMIND YOU WHAT A JAZZ CLUB IS SUPPOSED TO FEEL LIKE, WHEN IT IS TRULY A “CLUB”.
FOR MORE INFO AND TICKETS, SEE https://www.librettopaso.com/