Houston’s Midtown Bar Axelrad Is Releasing a Jazz Album | Eater Houston
"This Midtown beer garden and live-music venue is marking its 10th anniversary by releasing an eight-track vinyl compiled from its iconic weekly jazz nights, featuring a buzzy rendition of Nat King Cole’s “Autumn Leaves” and live recordings from regular performers such as Houston Ensemble and the Mark Simmons Jr. Quartet. The vinyl is a pared-down physical edition of a digital album available to stream on Apple Music and Spotify and to buy on iTunes and Google Play; the managing partner curated the collection after sifting through hundreds of hours of live recordings and collaborated with a local label and studio to press it as a passion project dedicated to his father. The venue launched its long-running Jazz Wednesdays in response to the loss of other local jazz rooms (with early weekly, free appearances from New Orleans trumpeter-singer Kermit Ruffins), and it has since become a community hub that showcases local music-school alumni, hosts markets, fundraisers, themed and family-friendly events, and serves food from an adjacent pizzeria. Housed in a circa-1925 building that was renovated rather than demolished, it is known for a spacious backyard patio with hammocks, an approachable drink program (including an affordable Beer of the Day and often no cover), and multi-day anniversary celebrations and an album release party tied to a limited vinyl pressing sold at a historic Montrose record shop." - Brittany Britto Garley
