ZingSync

A major piece of Detroit's musical history is undergoing a massive restoration.

The Bluebird Inn was the city's premier jazz club from the 1930s up into the 1950s.

The African American owned venue hosted music legends such as Miles Davis and Detroit's own Donald Byrd.

Now the long-abandoned Club is owned by the nonprofit Detroit Sound Conservancy, which is rehabbing the historic building.

American Black Journal contributor Cecilia Sharp of 90.9 WRCJ was there for the groundbreaking celebration.

(upbeat jazz music) (upbeat jazz music) - Right here with a Black-owned and operated bar and hearth that nurtured bebop jazz.

Yep, indeed it did.

And no matter which way you cut it, Bluebird Inn was magic.

Its significance to Black history and culture is both sonic and social.

So we are here to commemorate, starting this Bluebird Inn rehabilitation work.

We preserve, we celebrate and advocate for Detroit music and our incredible history.

And when we say we are actually Detroit Sound Conservancy, I include all of you.

You are all part of the Conservancy 'cause it's nothing but community putting its minds together to solve a problem.

- What has been the process of acquiring the Bluebird Inn and just beginning the process of restoring the venue?

- We were able to purchase the Bluebird, and, at that point, we had just fundraised to make sure it wasn't demolished on a demolition list.

And then we got historic designation for it so it could never be torn down in case our money came in slower than it was supposed to.

And now we are rejoicing and we are so happy that we have enough to open it in 2024.

- You're familiar with the Bluebird Inn and the history of it.

What does it mean to you to have this renovation of the Bluebird Inn right here in your community?

- It means a lot because people are moving back into the neighborhood and it's a good starting point to rejuvenate the area and maybe start up some other businesses right around the area that have been closed and moved out.

- I'm smelling the ribs, the chicken.

You got some good stuff going.

- Absolutely.

- You're here to feed the people, the volunteers and everyone that's here to celebrate the events.

- We have a meals program that we do.

The Detroit Sound Conservative has been our partner for about six years.

And so, my first barbecue here was in 2018 for Motor City Makeover, where we cleaned out the building.

And so, we've established a pretty good rapport and a great partnership since.

- What are you looking forward to most about the Bluebird Inn opening in the next 18 months?

- I think just having somewhere else to be able to go to for live music and a hangout spot.

I mean, we're here on Tireman, not too far from O-Town, not too far from Submerge and everything else that's going on here on the Boulevard.

So I think to be in this neighborhood and have another spot in the neighborhood that people are so familiar with, it's just an amazing thing, so I can't wait till it opens.

- What does this day mean to you here at the Bluebird Inn?

- This day is really a culmination, Cecilia, of just many years of love for this particular place.

I remember the first time I came here, I actually snuck out with a girlfriend of mine when I was about 15.

We were actually too young to drive, but we used to drive anyway.

- You were still driving?

- Yeah, so when our parents went to bed, I went over to her house and she said, "We're gonna sneak out tonight.

Where should we go?"

I said, "Let's go to this jazz club over here called the Bluebird."

Over time, I had a chance to actually work here when they did a reopening here in the nineties.

And then, just to be able to have my youngest son be a drummer and to be here for another opening of this place, it's just, everything comes full circle.

- Knowing that you'll be able to play in the same place that your mom snuck off to first, and then was able to come back and play and perform as a bassist, how does that feel?

- It feels, it's really indescribable, really, when you think about it.

You know, knowing as well as my mother, so many of my mentors have graced this stage as well, be it Roy Brooks, George Davidson, my hero, Elvin Jones.

You know, being a part of this groundbreaking is immaculate to me.

(funky upbeat music) - How has the Detroit music community nurtured you as a musician?

- I think there's this spirit of mentorship that isn't talked about enough.

There are so many people that care about Detroit's history and legacy.

You have to bring up that next generation to be able to show them the importance of where music came from so that they understand where music is going.

- Being the next generation of jazz and continuing to carry the torch, what would you like to impart on the future of jazz?

- Wayne Shorter has a quote that really stuck with me.

When someone asked him what he thinks jazz is, and he said, "Jazz is like a bumblebee, and it pollinates every other form of music, and it tells them to stay creative, stay fresh, never stagnate."

And that's my greatest hope.

- I am happy that Detroit Sound is dedicated to learning and education because that piece of music is the part that translates to multiple generations.

(people clapping) So thank you, and we look forward to bringing this project to you and this neighborhood and seeing you all again next year when we will be doors open.

(upbeat jazz music) (people clapping)

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