R.I.P to the locales we lost in 2024
Restaurants and venues that host jazz have helped the genre's resurgence in Tampa over the past decade–making up for the fact that this area no longer has a true, dedicated jazz club. From the pandemic to the rising cost of real estate and groceries, restaurants have struggled to stay afloat, and 2024 was no different. It was a traumatic and harsh year for many reasons including the shuttering of three major venues that provided recurring jazz music. Let's take a moment and remember the venues we've lost.
Big Easy Bar - Closed August 2024
A cocktail lounge staple of Ybor City with a 10-year history, this bar served a variety of liquor and cocktails and hosted jazz frequently with their Big Easy Brunch every weekend and featured jazz ensembles like Sandujazz and Schaff-Wall Collective.
Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe - Closed September 2024
One of the original gentrified venues in the revitalization of Seminole Heights in Tampa, Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe lasted for 15 years and hosted jazz ensembles including In the Pocket, Hot Tonic, Friends of Fil, and so many more. They also hosted Rod Alnord’s CHOPS Jam Sessions.
Hooch & Hive - Closed December 2024
Hooch and Hive was a music-centric café, cookery and cocktail house that hosted many art shows and concerts. They often featured jazz groups like ARConnection, Chance Reynolds Trio and larger shows by Tim Cappello, ATHNTC Music Group, and New Jazz Underground. They also hosted a Third Sunday Jazz Brunch and Rod Alnord’s CHOPS Jam Sessions that moved from Ella’s.
Don't worry, there's still plenty of venues that host jazz music in the area.
