Sunday, May 29, 2005

Dark Day

The Velvet Lounge, a Chicago jazz institution run by local legend Fred Anderson, will shut its doors shortly if it does not raise an estimated $120,000 to renovate a new space at 67 E. Cermak Rd. around the corner from its current location at 22nd and Indiana. The feeling I get when I think of Chicago without the Velvet Lounge, without Fred waiting at the door to collect my $10 cover, without a venue that consitently supports the music of the AACM, is nothing short of nausea and despair.

The idea of choosing a worthy cause to donate your money to can seem overwhelming in the world we live in. There's starvation, war, environmental destruction, poverty, disease, and myriad other deserving causes that you could give your hard earned dough to and sleep well at night knowing you were helping people who really need it.

The Velvet Lounge's preservation does not pretend to compete with the aforementioned causes in terms of its tragic scope, but the situation at hand is a humanitarian crisis all the same. If you believe that music is the healing force of the universe, than how may we begin to address these larger issues at hand in the world without the strength and clarity of vision music can give us.

I've recently been researching and writing about the Sufi concept of sama, which is defined as listening or auditioning, and connotes hearing "with the ear of the heart", and attitude of reverently listening to music with the intent of increasing awareness and understanding of the divine. While I don't want to be sacrilegious for anyone who practices sama in the Sufi tradition, the close listening that goes on in the Velvet Lounge is tantamount to sama for those of us who find truth and peace in the creative music that bounces off the tattered wallpaper that decorates the establishment.

Fred Anderson, a founding member of the AACM, is a musical treasure in his own right who still works the door every night at his south side Chicago club. The Velvet is actually Fred's second venture into music venues, as in the 1970s he ran a north side club called the Birdhouse in honor of Charlie Parker. His commitment to nurturing creative music in Chicago has been unwavering since the beginning, and he has led an incredible life as a musician and a human being, as his biography and discography attest. For those who have heard Fred play live, no words will capture the spirit he transmits to the audience; this year there is going to be a Fred Anderson Recognition Day at the wonderful Vision Festival in New York City.

If you feel so inclined, donations are being accepted at VelvetLounge.net by paypal. While I hope that some wealthy philanthropist and jazz fan finds out about Fred's situation and foots the bill for him to move, I have faith in the ability of many concerned and consciencious people to make it happen in lieu of a large donation by any one person. Support creative music making in Chicago and help Fred move into his new home on Cermark Road. Don't underestimate the impact of a lot of people donating $5 or $10.