Club Review--Jazz Bakery

Tomm Carroll
(2/12)

There's somethin' in the oven and it sure sounds scrumptious. Just follow your ears to the Jazz Bakery in downtown Culver City, a nightspot that's cookin' with class. It's there you'll find the tasty confection of live jazz on the nightly menu.

The Buzz: At last, a jazz club designed for listening to the music instead of talking over it. Serious fans of the genre agree -- live jazz never tasted so good.

The Roots: Originally housed in a photography studio that was part of the huge Helms Bakery complex when it opened over eight years ago, the JB quickly outgrew its debut digs and moved a few doors down to its current, larger address back in '94.

The Look: Art barn. The very spacious performance area is like a small concert hall in a white-walled gallery with a high, curved ceiling, exposed rafters, and numerous acoustical panels and sound baffles to preserve that glorious sound. Rows of less-than-comfortable plastic chairs face the good-sized stage.

Outside the hall's auditorium-like doors is the modern lobby with its trapezoidal high-tech touches. Aside from the ticket window and the jazz-related for-sale art adorning the walls, there's a cafe area, complete with tables and chairs.

The Hostess: Impish impresario Ruth Price is head chef. A singer-turned entrepreneur, she's not only owner, president and artistic director of the non-profit club, but also a client. And occasionally a performer (see "Entertainment" below).

The Clientele: Jazzbo purists -- and sometimes their kids. The Jazz Bakery is a reputable venue for devoted fans of the idiom, not a hang-out for club-hoppers. As a result, you're more likely to find musicians in the audience than would-be scenesters.

Where There's Smoke: Outside the club door on Helms Avenue. The only smokin' allowed indoors is the musicians' burnin' up their charts.

On Tap: Bottled beer only (Heineken, Amstel Light, Corona and Henry Weinhard's) along with offerings from the Vendange Winery. Soft drinks and coffees are also served, as are gourmet sandwiches, pastas, salads, and an array of tempting desserts (this was a bakery, remember).

The Entertainment: The reason to come here/hear. Live jazz nightly, two sets a night, from both name and local acts. Jazz-blues icon Mose Allison recently completed a four-night shift at the Bakery, and the Hubert Laws Quintet winds up its stint with shows this evening and Saturday.

Sound Quality: Poppin' fresh sound all the time. It's no surprise that plans call for a series of live recordings to be made at the Jazz Bakery in the near future.

Club Facts: The Jazz Bakery, 3233 Helms Avenue, Culver City (between Venice and Washington Boulevards), 271-9039. Showtimes 8 and 9:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 7:30 and 9 p.m. Sunday. Cover varies, no age limit.