Honolulu Weekly

Hearing the term ‘Musicians’ Association’ brings about visions of a worn down rehearsal space. The kind of place filled with old ripped carpet, water damaged walls turned a dingy brown and holes in the ceiling.

That’s not far from the mark at Studio 6 on Waimanu Street (off Ward Avenue, behind Kapi’olani Boulevard). Thing is, it all works. Musicians, working on a rotating schedule play instrumental jazz in the corner while the audience sits a scant few feet away. To the outsider, it would almost seem like an impromptu jam, except this is the scene played out every Tuesday for almost 10 years. As for the audience, it pays attention, letting the artists show off their skills with soft smiles and slight shakes of the head until they finish, whereupon they erupt into applause. For those with nostalgia issues, the entire event hearkens back to beatnik jazz sessions in small coffee shops straight out of the Kerouac era. And if you don’t have the imagination, there’s free coffee in the back.

‘People come here to listen to the music,’ says Jim Parrish, who attends regularly, sometimes switching hats from patron to volunteer. ‘I appreciate the fact that this is a place where people appreciate the music. There are other places where you can hear good jazz, but a lot of people are more interested in the bartender or the pretty girl at the other end of the room than really listening to the music.’

Though the evening is short (officially running from 8-10pm, but usually going much longer), it’s packed full with entertainment. The musicians have skill beyond their years, playing numbers that on average last more than 10 minutes. Between songs, the artists will talk story and give context to their performances–like whether it’s true that Duke Ellington and Miles Davis once came to blows over the pieces the musicians are about to perform.

One thing is for certain: Anyone who regularly attends the Tuesday sessions has nothing but praise for Rich Crandall, the founder and host who has kept the event running for nearly a decade. Crandall started the event after seeing musicians fighting each other for gigs and decided to use the association as a place to provide something different–a consistent venue for local jazz cats (and the occasional visitor) to showcase their craft. Using his vast cache of contacts and relying on his reputation, Studio 6 hosts a wide variety of musicians and the only staple of the evening is Crandall’s presence.

‘There are plenty of places where I can go to hear good jazz,’ says Parrish, ‘but this is the place I go to every week. Because the people playing jazz in Honolulu, in my opinion, are the best people playing jazz.’

Studio 6

949 Kapi’olani Blvd

Getting in: Every Tuesday, 8-10pm; $8 cover.
Dress Code: Whatever threads you have are fine, daddy-O.
Soundtrack: It’s up to the band, but expect instrumental jazz from the heroes
Sightings: Robert Shinoda, Steve Jones
Signature Drink: BYOB; free coffee in the back