Club History
For almost three decades, Dimitrou's Jazz Alley has been a West Coast 'must' for all the towering figures in the world of jazz - stars such as Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson, Betty Carter, and Bill Evans have played there. Join local jazz singer Kabibi Monie for a trip behind the scenes at Jazz Alley to learn what has made this Seattle icon such a success.
In its first twenty years, Dimitriou's Jazz Alley has become the West Coast's premiere jazz club. Every week the club brings the greatest names in jazz to Seattle's audiences.
Artists of international stature such as Ramsey Lewis, Poncho Sanchez, Taj Mahal, Diane Schuur, John Mayall, Earl Klugh, and Bill Frisell appear weekly at Jazz Alley.
The nightclub first opened its doors in 1979 in Seattle's University District. An intimate bistro setting, it attracted a diverse clientele. Equally popular among college students and die-hard jazz aficionados, one always found an exciting mixture of personalities and performers. Six years later Jazz Alley relocated to the larger and more accessible club at 6th and Lenora; the perfect venue for introducing new fans to world class jazz music while still offering the exuberant atmosphere of the old establishment.
Since moving to our present location the club has undergone two remodels. In July of 1990, the club completed a renovation with the expansion of the existing stage and the addition of a full mezzanine overlooking the stage.
In June of 2002 Jazz Alley was at it again. The new room includes a state of the art sound system, expanded stage, and the addition of over 100 seats, all while maintaining the original bistro ambience that makes Jazz Alley the intimate experience it is.
Jazz Alley was recently picked as both the Editor's Choice and Audience Choice for Seattle's Best Jazz club by Citysearch Seattle. In 2007, DownBeat Magazine voted Jazz Alley as one of the top 100 jazz clubs in the world. In years past we have also been voted "Best Jazz Club" by the Seattle Weekly.
