Feelin' jazzy?
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When it comes to hearing live jazz music, Sands of South Beach Lounge in Sandusky is your one and only option around the area.
"Every Thursday night I have a house band with Bob Szmik (guitarist), Mike Lorenz (keyboards) and Daman Cook (percussion)," said Sands of South Beach Lounge Owner Carolyn Thomsen. "That's the house band, and every week they have a different guest come in.
"So that guest may be a singer, may be a trumpet player, may be a sax player. We've had people come in from as far away as Detroit and Cleveland, and it's a really, really nice evening. It's the only live jazz you're going to get between Toledo and Cleveland."
Thomsen admits it was selfish motivation to hear great live jazz that spurred her to create the weekly Thursday night soirées.
"These guys did it before at the Angry Trout (Fish & Steak House)," Thomsen said. "I used to go watch them there, and also at Hunter's (Sports Bar). So when I got my own bar and they weren't playing anywhere, I said we could do it. I've had nothing but good feedback.
"I have regular people who come in almost every week, as well as a lot of newcomers coming in. The only problem is not a lot of people know about it."
However, when they do find out, Thomsen said they quickly become regulars. So what is it about jazz music that continues to confound music fans?
"Jazz is truly an American invention, and I think the people need to know more about it," Thomsen said. "They need to learn more about it in schools. We teach classical music, and all of these other forms of music, but jazz isn't spotlighted the way I think it should be."
She added, "Jazz is the one true medium that can bring everybody together. I'm talking about all ages and sexes. It crosses all social, economical and racial lines, and you can see this by coming to my bar. I've got high-class people and blue-collar workers and white, black and young and old. And it's always a crowd where everybody is very comfortable."
Thomsen said some of the guest musicians have been Grammy Award winners or talented local players looking to show off their chops. The music, while jazz-based, often varies from R&B to swing and blues.
Above anything, Thomsen wants people to know that the jazz night is "not stuffy. It's not snooty. It's relaxing, fun, get-your-toes-tapping music."
Jazz Nights
WHEN
8-11 p.m., Thursdays
WHERE
Sands of South Beach Lounge, 2903 Milan Road, Sandusky
INFO
419-625-0505
