April 3, 2008
Jazz at Pearl's Sings the Blues
We see that Jazz at Pearl's--singer Kim Nalley's nightclub devoted to the dead sound of jazz, noted by both the Chron and the New York Times as one the best blues venues--is closing. Again. (It closed shop four years ago only to re-open later...and then close again.)
Miss Nalley is a sweet songstress, and the club was a comfy and quiet place to go on a cold weeknight, so this is sad news for the SF nightlife scene. Her letter about the news, which we found over at All Shook Down, is equally depressing:
Greetings,It has become clear that despite my best efforts I will be unable to gain sole ownership of Pearl's and the lease. Jazz at Pearl's will close at the end of April.
While it is in human nature to blame someone or something for this tragedy, I would prefer to direct everyone's attention instead to the wonderful run that we have had, the staff of Jazz at Pearl's whose hard work and loyalty helped keep the club doors open, the great musicians and patrons that have stepped through the door and everyone that helped make this venue wonderful.
I am sure there will be many people that wish to help but trust me I would not be making this announcement if I thought there was any glimmer of hope. And although I have had many people that want me to open another place from scratch, I think that it is time to direct my focus back to my singing career once Pearl's closes and hopefully I will be seeing you in all the old familiar places.
Thank you for your support.
Best Regards,
Kim Nalley
See, sad. She travelin' light, folks. Sniff. Anyway, we're sure Nally will sing again as her voice is really top-drawer.
The venue is set to close at the end of April. Check out Eater for more details.
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Bummer. It was one of the few spots in the city where you could actually kick back and take in some good jazz.
Well this is just great. For the past three years I pass this place every day and say the same thing: I can't wait to graduate and get a real job so I can go here.
I graduate, I FINALLY get a real job and they shutter the place??
*kicks over office garbage can*
sad at pearls
question: where's the great, well-researched article on the challenges of operating a music venue in San Francisco? anybody?
five years ago, Pearl's was lavished with press about the reopening. what happened? given that it was devoted to jazz (which doesn't exactly draw the party crowd), it's pretty commendable that the management kept things going there this long.
reading Nalley's sign-off, you wonder whether there are other things going on. anything's possible; who knows. but as with all entertainment places, her club was subject to the whimsies of a fickle public that carps at cover charges and the challenges of North Beach parking.
was Pearl's consistently pulling in the people? were food and drink sales a factor? anybody know?
@lazthedog,
either one of your local alt weeklies, of even a glossy, probably has a feature article on this very subject in the works.
Pearl's used to be awesome. Then they started requiring you order an expensive prix fixe dinner (but not always; it seemed I got a different answer from the folks who answered the phone to the people at the door). I don't mind paying a cover and doing the two drink minimum, but $75+ is too much for me to do with any kind of regularity.
What iris said. Plus, the set-up there simply does not encourage walk-ins.
My girlfriend loves jazz. I loathe it. So, that's one less danger zone on our late-night strolls.
Every time I walked by (staring longingly into the windows), it seemed fairly busy, but like others said, it didn't encourage walk ins, particular when it had signs up saying things like "line for ticket holders starts here" which could lead people to believe the place was sold out.
What a bummer! I love this place. Best of luck to you Ms. Nalley. You are amazing!
Very sad. What is the relevance of the photo that accompanies this posting?