One of the most crucial components of my jazz education was totally illegal. I discovered that Milton's Tap Room on Main Street would serve me alcohol when I was still a teenager. The fact that Milton's was a jazz-oriented tavern was initially a secondary consideration. But I quickly became fascinated by the impressive collection of jazz albums prominently displayed behind the bar. Hearing scratchy recordings by Grant Green and Jimmy Smith in the smoky, scotch-drenched joint demonstrated to me that jazz was anything but a stiff, academic exercise.
(Image nicked from the internet.)
One from the Amen Corner! I didn't go there much, but what a revelation it was that Milton didn't even bat an eye at the nervous suburban kids. I remember slouching in a booth at the very back, one sultry ballad after another playing, when a guy stumbles in and goes straight to the bar. Only after he'd knocked one back and was working on the chaser did we realize he wasn't drunk — he was staggering because of a fresh stab wound in his side. *That's* Milton's!
ReplyDeleteI never witnessed anything that exciting, BD. But I recall being more than mildly titillated by the chance to watch "working girls" unwind.
ReplyDeleteI lived at Milton's nearly everynight from the mid 1970's to well past his passing. And I might add that some of those sounds you were soaking up were picked out and sold to the man himself by yours truly. Always cut the man an excellent deal.
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Just ran onto your blog. FANTASTIC! Thanks for being a jazz lover in KC and for spreading the word.
ReplyDeleteFrom a jazz artist in KC.
I hope you're listed in the right column, Jazz Momma.
ReplyDeleteHey, all you musician and promoter types- feel free to email me with news and such.
BE 21!
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