A Chicago Original…

The history of how Andy’s Jazz Club came to be one of Chicago’s best known & most respected jazz venues started in the 1950’s as an oasis for the employees of the newspaper industry.  “Andy’s Lounge” was created. Serving shots, beer and pub grub to the ample waves of pressmen from the newspaper industry as the focus until mid 1970’s when ownership of the venue changed hands to Scott Chisholm.  A transition that kickstarted the lounge’s transformation into Chicago’s marquee Jazz hang.

The first live Jazz shows came in 1977 as “Jazz At Noon” and were presented with no stage, no special lighting and not much amplification.  Those first audiences’ fanfare were excellent, and by word of mouth the weekly crowds slowly began to build.  Andy’s soon expanded the “Jazz at Noon” Friday sessions to include multiple days of the week and later into the evening spawning “Jazz at Five” & “Jazz at Nine” sets with music going well past midnight.  That culmination resulted in music being presented on stage 10+ hours a day.  Andy’s Jazz Club was in full swing!

Over the past 75 years, Andy’s has overseen the neighborhood evolve and grow into the trendy hub it is today.  The same can be true of the Chisholm family.  Scott’s three sons now operate the venue and bring his grandchildren into the place just as he brought them when they were young.  Faces in places and name may change, but the musical lineup at Andy’s continues featuring the top artists in the Chicago Jazz scene.  Offering a truly unique Chicago cultural experience sprouted by Scott Chisholm, through grit and savvy, and preserved today by his sons Chris, Jeff & Brandon and their extended families.