Jazz Showcase needs a new home

December 1, 2006 (WLS) -- The Chicago Jazz Showcase is looking for a new home. After 10 years at Grand and Clark, the historic club is losing its lease. Harry Porterfield takes another look at the Jazz Showcase and how local musicians are helping find the club a new location.

In its nearly 50 year Chicago history, the Jazz Showcase has never been able to stay in one location. Now it has to move again. With his lease expiring, Joe Siegel, the club's founder, is looking for another place to set up a band stand.

In his quest for a new home, Siegel is getting considerable support. Jazz musicians are performing for free on Mondays to help him out.

"This room, to me, says what jazz really is about, and so I would do anything possible to keep this going and I know we will," said Judy Roberts, pianist.

"If you wanna hear the best in Chicago, it's always been the Showcase," said Rusty Jones, drummer.

"He's brought in all the jazz greats, and the music is always pure here. The musicians are great," said Nick Taunta, bass.

The Jazz Showcase has been near the corner of Clark and Grand for the past 10 years. That history will end on New Years Eve with the last performance.

"The Showcase is an institution; that's what it means to me. From the time I was a young kid, when I was 16, I'd hang out at the Showcase year round," said Greg Fishman, saxophone.

"It's very satisfying, heart-warming to know that people stick by me," said Joe Siegel, Showcase founder. "A lot of the great, greats and I've been very fortunate to have so many of them."

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