Just 2 blocks north of the Chicago River and 2 blocks west of the Magnificent Mile of Michigan Avenue resides Andy’s Jazz Club, an anchor of the now burgeoning River North district of downtown Chicago.
Originating in 1951 as an oasis for employees of the – at the time – booming newspaper industry that called this area of the city home, “Andy’s” was the work of entrepreneur Andy Rizzuto. Andy saw possibility in and purchased the red brick building at 11 E. Hubbard St., opening his self-named saloon in its street-level storefront. Serving shots, beer and pub grub to the ample waves of pressmen from the newspaper industry; Andy maintained his business throughout the 1950’s, 60’s & early 70’s.
By the early 1970’s the area was stirring with the promise of renewal. Rundown buildings gave way to new parking lots/garages. Aged but sturdy structures received facelifts and new identities. Ground was broken for hotels and the evening newspaper stopped their presses and moved its operations to other quarters. There was a buzz of interest in the area from businesses and homeowners alike, while realtors began referring to the area as River North.
It was about this time in 1975 when a group of investors purchased the property from Andy Rizzuto, along with rites to “Andy’s”. Of those investors, Scott Chisholm, took responsibility for operation of “Andy’s”. Mindful of the current clientele, neither the name/décor/focus was changed during this process. A short time later the building changed hands as investor interest changed, but Scott requested to stay in ownership of “Andy’s”…and has been the owner ever since!
It was 1977 when traditional jazz promoters Penny Tyler and guitarist John Defauw literally turned the corner and set in motion the wheels of subtle change in the little saloon known as “Andy’s”. Penny and John had been producing lunchtime jazz sessions throughout various parts of the downtown area of the city and ironically were in the process of searching for a new venue after a run at Marina Towers abruptly came to an end. Just a short block and a half away from Marina Towers they happened across “Andy’s” and after a short discussion had found a new home for their lunch Jazz Session right here at “Andy’s”.
These Jazz Sessions originally were scheduled once a week, every Friday at noon. After a short while the response was so positive that the saloon expanded the Friday Jazz At Noon Sessions to include Friday Jazz at 5…Andy’s Jazz Club was born. The Jazz soon expanded to 5 days a week, with music being performed both during the lunch hour and for the after work crowd. Jazz At 5 in turn expanded to Jazz at 9, bringing the club to our performance pinnacle of 3 full bands every day of the week – noon, 5pm & 9pm.
Over the past 30 years the area has continued to expand and grow to the trendy hub it has now become. Times change and Andy’s has altered its musical offerings to meet with those new demands of its avid customers. While the Jazz At Noon may be taking a much needed hiatus and is no longer offered, Jazz At 5 & Jazz At 9 are still very much Alive!