Last night we celebrated my friend's birthday at Vonn Jazz Lounge, which may be my new favorite place in Columbus. Upon entering Vonn Jazz, it is immediately welcoming, lit up with unique paper lanterns, a long bar with kind of retro red bar stools, gorgeous white roses overflowing from short vases, and hand painted walls in deep oranges and reds and yellows that begin to set the mood before you turn the corner into the more sensual lounge area. The lounge itself is decorated with lush, red velvet drapes, black ceilings elaborately decorated, impressive chandeliers hung so low they join your party, animal print couches that somehow escape tackiness, and a luxurious bed (which was a brand new addition to the lounge) that provided the perfect place for our party to congregate. [You seriously have to click on the link to the pictures]. The servers all wear red, black, and white, each creating their own unique look ranging from faux-Parisienne to bohemian to waiter. Most in character of all though was Vonn herself...Yvonne Sarber, the owner, was constantly making the rounds, checking out how the crowd was enjoying her creation, and looking beautiful and showing that it was clearly her own style that inspired the lounge and makes it authentic.
Not only was the ambiance smoldering, but the music was pretty hot too. Shaun Booker, a well known Columbus blues singer, performed, and she is always a treat. Being more accustomed to experimental and avant garde jazz, I'm not always too enthusiastic about blues singers, but Shaun was on last night. Her stage presence captured the audience, even being separated from where I was seated by curtains, and various infrastructure that could have made it challenging to appreciate the performance. She did a lot of standards, and I really enjoyed the Tracy Chapman she threw in. She is always performing around Columbus, including hosting a jam session at the Phoenix Nightclub on Thursdays, hosting the CBA Blues Jam August 17th at The Thirsty Ear, and performing yearly at events like the Community Festival and the Hot Times festival in Olde Town East.
I was less thrilled by the musical offerings when the band played without the assistance of Shaun Booker. While her songs were sultry and creative, and allowed the other musicians to show off their talents as well, as soon as she stopped singing it was like the band reverted to a bad wedding band. But my friends loved it, as did some of the older people in the crowd who didn't look like they probably get out to hear a lot of jazz. So a bunch of Ph.D. students and suburbanites had a chance to dance and sing along to songs like Mustang Sally while the rest of the crowd quickly thinned out or ordered another drink.
The club is still auditioning artists, but from who they have booked so far, it looks like it is leaning strongly towards blues and soul, so if you go, don't expect jazz, just because of the name, but expect a great time.
One of the biggest challenges Vonn Jazz may have is getting people to drive to a strip mall on the northwest side of town. It is located at 2151 W. Dublin Granville Road just east of Linworth Road, so it will have to develop a reputation as a destination spot. The service was kind of slow, but hopefully they will improve. And one waiter/bartender was very friendly and brought over a birthday shot for my friend towards the end of the evening, and seemed genuinely interested in how we liked the place. I hope it succeeds!
Not only was the ambiance smoldering, but the music was pretty hot too. Shaun Booker, a well known Columbus blues singer, performed, and she is always a treat. Being more accustomed to experimental and avant garde jazz, I'm not always too enthusiastic about blues singers, but Shaun was on last night. Her stage presence captured the audience, even being separated from where I was seated by curtains, and various infrastructure that could have made it challenging to appreciate the performance. She did a lot of standards, and I really enjoyed the Tracy Chapman she threw in. She is always performing around Columbus, including hosting a jam session at the Phoenix Nightclub on Thursdays, hosting the CBA Blues Jam August 17th at The Thirsty Ear, and performing yearly at events like the Community Festival and the Hot Times festival in Olde Town East.
I was less thrilled by the musical offerings when the band played without the assistance of Shaun Booker. While her songs were sultry and creative, and allowed the other musicians to show off their talents as well, as soon as she stopped singing it was like the band reverted to a bad wedding band. But my friends loved it, as did some of the older people in the crowd who didn't look like they probably get out to hear a lot of jazz. So a bunch of Ph.D. students and suburbanites had a chance to dance and sing along to songs like Mustang Sally while the rest of the crowd quickly thinned out or ordered another drink.
The club is still auditioning artists, but from who they have booked so far, it looks like it is leaning strongly towards blues and soul, so if you go, don't expect jazz, just because of the name, but expect a great time.
One of the biggest challenges Vonn Jazz may have is getting people to drive to a strip mall on the northwest side of town. It is located at 2151 W. Dublin Granville Road just east of Linworth Road, so it will have to develop a reputation as a destination spot. The service was kind of slow, but hopefully they will improve. And one waiter/bartender was very friendly and brought over a birthday shot for my friend towards the end of the evening, and seemed genuinely interested in how we liked the place. I hope it succeeds!
I appreciate your review of Vonn Jazz Lounge and the performance of Shaun Booker during your attendance.I take offense at your referring to the band as a "bad wedding band".If the band was so terrible,how is it that they were able to perform at a level consistent with Ms. Booker.These are very seasoned musicians with collectively over 100 years experience.We are given a specific format by Vonn Jazz to provide entertainment that is conducive to the vibe in general.That is the first time anyone has ever danced at Vonn Jazz since it opened.If you were looking for Stanley Turrentine or Herbie Hancock,you're obviously in the wrong town.Jazz is an interpretation that can take on many forms.Listen to your radio.In today's climate,if somebody doesn't sing,they call it smooth jazz.We covered jazz standards;"All Blues",Bumpin On Sunset,Mr.Magic,Summertime/Moondance,etc."!They are 'wedding bands' in columbus that have never even heard of these tunes! As the drummer for said band,you are entitled to your opinion but in the future,if you're going to offer a critique,know what your talking about.There was jazz,blues,rock and classic r&b performed throughout the evening,perhaps you need a refresher course or just a few more weddings!
Posted by: D Cupe | May 28, 2008 at 10:56 AM
I love Blues...and you NEED to make sure you drive up there regularly and support those cool places!!!
Posted by: Bogart in P-Towne | May 30, 2008 at 03:18 PM
I will definitely be going back to support the place, and I will also be looking for another opportunity to enjoy this particular band. I thought the band was very talented, and now that I understand that they were given a particular format by Vonn Jazz, it makes more sense why they transitioned from a wide range of styles I enjoyed to something that I honestly would not seek out, but that my friends loved. I am looking forward to next time!
Posted by: LvL | May 31, 2008 at 07:40 AM
What is the dress code for Vonn? Thank you.
Posted by: Kara | Jun 30, 2008 at 07:58 PM
As far as I know, there is no official dress code, and the website doesn't mention anything. When I was there, people were wearing a pretty wide variety of clothes, just not super casual or super dressy. When I go back, I might wear anything from jeans with a nice shirt to a cute dress.
Posted by: LvL | Jul 05, 2008 at 02:37 PM
To D. Cupe (in reference to your posting dated March 18, 2008)...
Aw, don't take it personally, man. Maybe you DO sound like a bad wedding band. Or, at least DID. Maybe that's why you're no longer her drummer. In fact, she's had a complete band personnel change.
Hmmmm.......
Posted by: michael zaks | Oct 15, 2009 at 11:59 AM