Churchill Grounds rallies support before closing its doors
Churchill regular Russell Gunn is set to perform a series of benefit shows over the weekend to raise money for the future of the influential jazz club.
Photo credit: Vincent Tseng
his week marks the final days of Atlanta’s longest-running jazz club. Nestled next to the Fox Theatre, Churchill Grounds has served as ground zero for the preservation of traditional jazz since its opening in 1997. This Sun., July 31, is the club’s last day, but owner Samuel Yi hopes to keep Churchill’s legacy alive with a series of benefit concerts throughout the weekend. His ultimate goal is to raise $10,000 for the purpose of relocating to a different space.
Grammy-nominated trumpet player and Churchill regular Russell Gunn will perform three benefit concerts over the weekend, starting tonight (July 29) with two more shows on Saturday and Sunday. In addition to local greats such as Gunn, a host of internationally-acclaimed talent has circulated throughout the intimate confines of Churchill, including Harry Connick Jr., Wynton Marsalis, India Arie, Lizz Wright, and even Lady Gaga.
The Harper Family Jam Sessions have been one of the club’s most popular nights, running nearly every week for the last two decades. Trumpet player Terence Harper has led the sessions for four years, picking up the baton from his parents Danny and Terry Harper. He sees Churchill as not just a classy joint with great music, but a conduit for education that’s crucial to maintaining the health of Atlanta’s jazz scene.
“Churchill Grounds was a safe haven for the Atlanta jazz community,” Harper says. “It was a fellowship, where musicians could learn from each other and get constructive criticism to better preserve the art form.”
However, Harper sees hope for the future of Churchill. He believes in the tenacity of Yi, a devoted jazz fan who dreamed of opening up his own club after falling in love with the genre during his childhood in Seoul, South Korea. Atlanta City Council President Ceasar Mitchell recently commemorated Yi’s dedication to local jazz by dubbing July 31 “Churchill Grounds Jazz Cafe Day.”
“Yi wasn’t able to make a whole heck of a lot of money but at the same time he loves his music very much and he’s looking forward to continuing to provide Atlanta with an incredible venue to listen to music,” Harper says. “But he needs support from everybody so hopefully we can get a new location up and running in a matter of months.”