“Magical!”, “Transcendent!”, “What a great night!” were just some of the reviews from both the artists and the sold-out house of true jazz fans at the Grand Opening of TheSide Door jazz club at the Old Lyme Inn on Friday night.
The extraordinary talent and masterful piano of jazz impresario George Wein, along with the music of the remarkable “Newport All Stars” band he had assembled, celebrated the arrival of the long-awaited club. One standing ovation after another paid tribute to this 86-year-old, pre-eminent, jazz great.
Wein had offered to open the latest music venture of jazz fan and club owner Ken Kitchings. After a champagne toast and ribbon cutting ceremony, the venue was declared open and the first official evening at the club was under way. Ten percent of the net profits from the evening were donated to the Newport Festival Foundation.
Kitchings commented, “The SideDoor has now placed itself humbly amongst a handful of authentic jazz venues, with the generous blessing of one of its greats — we will be working tirelessly, and passionately, to live up to it.”
A summer and fall calendar of jazz is in the works. For further information, call 860-434-
Cngratulations Christine & Ken for a fantastic evening and a superb venue. The music was someting Old Lyme has not heard in many years. Since I met George Wein in the mid 50s at Newport, It was a thrill to see him again and still as great. Keep up the great work.
Tom