<i>Jazz Depot Continues Tulsa’s Downtown Expansion</i>
By CHUCK CISSEL
Contributing Writer
GATHERING SPOT: The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame will offer a theater, a museum, meeting rooms and a place for guests in the former Tulsa Union Depot. Part of the Jazz Hall of Fame logo is in the photo on the left.
Courtesy Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame
One of the real cool “Tulsa hot areas” developing on the horizon is in downtown Tulsa. As you walk through the downtown area, you can witness the development from the highly anticipated BOK Center to the Brady District with several new businesses taking shape. As a matter of fact, take a stroll along Brady near Main and you can see exactly what I am talking about.
Check out 209 Martini Bar, next to the Brady, Tulsa Artist Coalition (visual art shows), Tulsa Gathering Place (glass blowing), Mooch & Burn featuring “live music,” The White Rabbit Café on Main Street, and the Sound Pony Bar, next door to Cains. Caz’s Restaurant and Bar are staples and there is the Majestic Club for the young party crew, the fabulous Cain’s Ballroom, Studio 212, and Violin Shop. The Historic Brady Theater still rocks, a brand new chocolate business, Champagne Fragola Cioccolato is under construction. Champagne, chocolate and strawberries anyone? What a harmonious combination, suitable for any romantic occasion. Needless to say, one of our favorite eateries and music havens is Lola’s (great for lunch and dinner). Especially if you are attending a concert at either the Brady Theater or Cain’s Ballroom and coming soon, stop by Lola’s before attending concerts at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame “The Jazz Depot.” On most evenings you can catch a glimpse of political, community and entertainment types enjoying the seductive ambience, swinging music, delicious cuisine, personable staff, great bar and you might even catch a glimpse of Lola (who bakes sinfully delicious desserts). Located on the corner of Brady and Main, Lola’s has become the “hot spot” for friends and colleagues to gather.
Coming soon in 2007, we look forward to the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame making a big splash on the music, entertainment and cultural scene. One of the most historic landmark buildings in all of Tulsa, the Union Depot Building, constructed in 1931 by the Manhattan Construction Company, is now the new Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame. This beautiful art deco building will be renovated by Manhattan Construction Company, under the direction of John Snyder. Project manager is Brian Holderread and Greg Shaw is the superintendent for the project. According to Mr. Snyder, “We begin work on the Jazz Depot right after Thanksgiving this year, and we feel very fortunate to be a team member with the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, and we look forward to their continued success.” The Jazz Depot looks to open in late spring of 2007.
The 28,000 square foot arts and entertainment facility provides space for different meeting needs. Spaces available for rental, individually or in combination at the Jazz Depot, are the Great Performance Hall, the museum gallery space, band room, recording studio and the VIP Suite. With warm lighting, cool ambience, beautifully-appointed high ceilings (original to the building), terrazzo flooring (original) and the history of this unique building, the Jazz Depot is your next stop for all of your special event needs. In addition, the Jazz Depot will house a music library, filled with albums, CDs, Videos, cassettes and computer stations for your private listening pleasure. Many Tulsans have donated lots of jazz, pop and classical albums, along with instruments, antique pianos, organs, collectibles and books. If you have albums, books, collectibles or instruments in the attic or garage taking up space, and you’d like to make a donation, please contact the Jazz Hall of Fame at 918.596.1001. For rental questions, please call 918.596.1032.
The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame will offer the perfect venue for your special events – weddings, proms, receptions, parties, film showings, concerts, plays, live panel discussions, board meetings, press conferences, poetry readings, sales meetings to one-of-a kind functions. Every event at the Jazz Depot will unveil the sound of music and the celebration of America’s classical music – jazz. Whether it is the extraordinary photo exhibit of Oklahoma jazz musicians, or the interactive kiosks, the gift boutique, band room or music library, consider the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame your ambassador to the world of “live” entertainment and cultural enrichment in Tulsa and the state of Oklahoma.
The motto at the Jazz Depot is “Creating Unity Through Music.” The Jazz Hall believes everyone should share in and enjoy Oklahoma’s outstanding historic contributions to the fabric of music – jazz, blues, country western, western swing and gospel in the USA and globally. When you think of celebrating Oklahoma’s 100th birthday, you cannot forget the Oklahoma legends of music – Chet Baker, Charlie Christian, Jimmy Rushing, Patti Page, Kay Starr, Lee Wiley, Ernestine Dillard, Sara Jordan Powell, Tommy Crook, Earl Clark, Pat Moore, Sonny Gray, Rockin’ John Henry, Oscar Pettiford, Washington Rucker, Jay McShann, Barney Kessel, Cecil McBee, Flash Terry, Jesse Ed Davis, Ernie Fields Sr. and Jr., Ken Downing, Glen R. Townsend, David Skinner, Donald Ryan, Howard McGhee, Jimmy Markham, Madeline Manning Mims, Wayman Tisdale, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Roy Clark, Reba McIntyre, Tobey Keith, Garth Brooks, Bob Wills and so many many more – after all, these trail blazing pioneers and stellar musicians put Oklahoma on the music map. Hello!
For your Oklahoma Jazz Experience, remember to stop by the “JAZZ DEPOT.” Filled with memorabilia, collectibles, rare jazz photo exhibit, music library, band rehearsal room, recording studio or enjoy the live concerts and special events held in one of Tulsa’s most treasured art deco building, the impressive and historic old Union Depot Building – now called the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame – “The JAZZ DEPOT.”
Let’s make a date for Spring 2007.
Updated 11-24-2006
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