I am writing this letter of support for the Jazz on View Society, to lend my voice to the effort to keep Hermann’s Jazz Club open and functioning as the cultural heart of downtown Victoria, which it has been for so many musicians and music fans on Vancouver Island, and for that matter in British Columbia and western Canada. There are very few venues I have seen in many years as a professional touring musician that have the qualities that Hermann’s possesses.
Firstly, it is a wonderful sounding and comfortable space that so many Victoria residents return to again and again because they know that the quality of the music will be worth the trip. Secondly, it is a coveted venue for musicians to play because they know they will
be well supported in a venue that sounds great and has the history and feel that only comes with decades of effort and love.
Victoria has a jazz music scene that is unrivalled when compared to most major Canadian cities, in large part because young musicians have had the opportunity to come learn by hearing and getting a chance to sit in with veteran local players and even with world class travelling acts.
Multi Grammy award winning New Orleans trumpet player Wynton Marsalis dropped in just months ago to jam with Sean Drabitt on the Hermann’s stage because first of all, Sean is awesome (Hermann’s being the venue where he got a chance to cut his teeth) and secondly because Mr. Marsalis probably recognizes that Hermann’s has a history and an importance of its own that deserves respect, even from someone accustomed to playing Carnegie Hall or the great Jazz clubs of New Orleans.
Hermann’s also provides a safe and inviting space to musicians who may not necessarily strictly fit into the jazz community, such as blues and soul musicians, folk and bluegrass acts, etc. I believe it is important that a community has accessible spaces that are smaller and more intimate than the big theatres and concert halls and that understand the value of supporting local talent of all ages and Hermann’s has been a shining example for decades.
Sincerely yours,
Kelly Fawcett
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