the Narrows Bar <\/a>is more of a loose network of Juneau musicians than a proper quintet. There are about five core members, but sometimes four people play, and other times a guest vocalist, flautist or drummer might drop in — generally without advance notice.<\/p>\n“You show up, and kind of the jazz standard is that you play two songs,” Greg Kalbaugh, who plays trumpet for the Juneau Five, said ahead of a Thursday night show that coincided with his 65th birthday. “We even had a conga player up here with us.”<\/p>\n
Other staples include Juneau music mainstays John Haywood on saxophone, Dave Hurley on drums, Luke Weld who uses a keyboard to fill in on piano and bass, and Myra Kalbaugh who sings, runs back drinks for the musicians and passes around the tip jar at the end of shows.<\/p>\n
The Juneau Five became the sort of house band for the Narrows when Hurley heard owner Jared Curé wanted a band that could play regular jazz shows.<\/p>\n
So about a year ago, the band’s members and welcome guest musicians began playing a 7:30 p.m. show every other Thursday.<\/p>\n
“When I was building this place out, I envisioned something like what you see,” Curé said. “I thought jazz was something that would fit this intimate space quite well.”<\/p>\n
Thanks to some creative furniture movement, during Thursday Night Jazz there’s a small nook just large enough for a handful of musicians just past the far end of the bar.<\/p>\n
“When it’s really packed, the audience is right on top of you,” Greg Kalbaugh said. “It’s really intimate.”<\/p>\n
But, band members and Curé said the sound isn’t overpowering even though the Narrows’ dimensions live up to its name.<\/p>\n
“You can be sitting at that end of the bar and have a very nice conversation,” Haywood said gesturing toward the entrance side of the room. “We don’t get complaints.”<\/p>\n
Even 6 feet away from the band, the walking bass and harmonizing horns aren’t loud enough to require shouted drink orders.<\/p>\n
Curé said that’s because he remodeled the bar, which opened in 2017, with live music in mind.<\/p>\n
The ceiling’s tin material has small perforations that allow sound to pass through where it then meets a layer of muffling material. <\/p>\n
Curé said he’s enjoyed the regular shows because he’s a fan of the music.<\/p>\n
Plus, the events draw out a Thursday night crowd that otherwise might spend then night at home.<\/p>\n
“I’ve got people that come back every week because of it,” Curé said. “It’s something a little bit different. It’s been a great reaction. I’m trying to find something for the opposing Thursdays.”<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Contact arts and culture reporter Ben Hohenstatt at (907)523-2243 or bhohenstatt@juneauempire.com<\/a>. Follow him on Twitter @BenHohenstatt.<\/b><\/p>\n
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