ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- A historic Rochester business is coming back to life in Charlotte. The Pythodd Jazz Room on Lake Avenue opened its doors Wednesday night. It’s a recreation of the 1950’s Pythodd Jazz Club where legendary jazz artists played and others got their start.
“The name is renowned from here to Florida, all different states,” Pythodd Jazz Room owner Tyrone Ashford said.
Ashford is now hoping the sound of jazz will once again ring throughout the streets.
“Once the Jazz Fest is gone, people kind of forget about there is still jazz artists here in Rochester,” Pythodd said. “So what I would like to do is provide a venue where you can come every night and listen to jazz, year round, not just for a couple of weeks in the summertime.”
He said opening the restaurant and bar has been difficult, but credits his staff and management for all their help. He begin working on the concept in August 2015.
“You know, with any new business there are some hiccups that come about,” Ashford said. “So I just dealt with them and had a supporting team. With my staff and everyone that’s been working with me, they’ve helped me put this together.”
With all the development happening in Charlotte, Ashford saw the perfect opportunity for a unique venue.
“You have jazz enthusiasts and you have people who aren’t as familiar with jazz, so if I can bridge that gap, that would be a great thing,” Ashford said.
For those who played during the opening Wednesday night, they said they're just glad to have a spot where jazz is celebrated. Rochester resident and musician Billy Petito said he was honored and flattered to play there.
“It clearly has so much history around, you can see it in the old photographs all over the place,” Petito said. “To know that I’m continuing that is really an honor and I kind of happened into it, so I’m feeling pretty lucky too.”
Maybe one day the next acclaimed jazz artist can say they got their start at the Pythodd Jazz Room.
“I’m hoping so, I’m hoping so,” Ashford said. “Those are some very large footsteps to follow in so I’m just hoping I can do some justice for it.”
Ashford said anyone wanting to play at the Pythodd Jazz Room can contact him through the business’ Facebook.
The business will be open during the winter Wednesday and Thursday from 4 p.m. until midnight, Friday and Saturday 4 p.m. until 2 a.m., and Sunday from 4 p.m. until 1 a.m. Ashford said they are hoping to be open seven days a week during the summer. There is no cover charge.