PREVIEW: Jazz is Back at the Van Dyck Music Lounge
10/05/24 at The Van Dyck in Schenectady, NY
“Between the history of some of the players that have been there previously, and the feel of the room, it's just a very comfortable, inviting space – a classic looking kind of lounge.”
Located in the historic Stockade district of downtown Schenectady, The Van Dyck opened its doors not long after World War II, becoming a legendary venue for jazz performances. Over the years, it has taken on many identities, including most recently as home to Mad Jack Brewing for 13 years, before closing for good mid-pandemic. Now, Chris Sule (who took over the location in 2022) is looking to revitalize the lounge by honoring its renowned past.
“It was a jazz national hotspot in the ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s,” Chris tells me. “The entertainment side of this building has such a big reputation here in Schenectady and beyond.”
When the opportunity presented itself, Chris knew The Van Dyck was the perfect relocation for Stella Pasta Bar & Bistro, the restaurant he started in Burnt Hills back in 2016. It also allowed Chris and his team to venture into new territory, inheriting the spirit of Mad Jack Brewing to start Seven Points Brewery, the restaurant’s entry into brewing. But it is the Van Dyck Music Club that he is most excited to tell me about.
“This is our first foray into the real history of this building and its second floor venue. Between the history of some of the players that have been there previously, and the feel of the room, it's just a very comfortable, inviting space – a classic looking kind of lounge. Moving into this space, we had the choice to either completely change it up, or lean right into what has been done well here, and that's kind of the move I made.”
This is all on the verge of launching with what Chris is deeming a “reopening” of sorts: Jazz is Back!: Capital Region All-Star Night, happening this Saturday, October 5th. The lineup features a who’s who of local talent, including Keith Pray, Michael Benedict, Awan Rashad and many more. Chris hopes this will be the first of many incredible jazz events to come.
Chris behind the bar at The Van Dyck
“Starting in November, we're going to do a weekly jazz night upstairs on Thursdays,” he tells me. “Building that consistency is something we're really looking forward to, and then using that to springboard into bigger ticketed events with touring jazz groups and even into other genres as well. As we keep growing and expanding, there's no reason not to do more of the R&B, funk type stuff that they had great success with in the ‘90s and early 2000s so there’s a lot of possibilities in our new home here.”
When looking ahead to what the venue could become, he cites another legendary venue in the Capital Region as the beacon he plans to follow: Caffe Lena.
“Spiritually, [The Van Dyck] reminds me of that,” Chris proudly admits. “It's not so much about the venue, but about the performance happening on stage, the reverence for what's going on in there, and the way that they are connected to folk history there. It is my inspiration to do the same thing here with this built-in jazz history. We have to build it into a home for that here in the Capital Region.”
Beyond just the storied history of The Van Dyck, another great thing about the venue is that you can have an entire night out in one location, thanks to the three arms of the company. Stella, Seven Points, and The Van Dyck Music Club are all interconnected – physically and conceptually – and being able to grab a meal, a drink, and enjoy an intimate performance in a historical building is a point of pride for Chris.
“That's the biggest part of this, having the three different spheres here: the restaurant, the brewery, and the entertainment side, that all support each other, communicate, and make things happen for each other.”
This Saturday, Chris and his team are boldly declaring “Jazz is Back!” at The Van Dyck. With a packed lineup of ten musicians that will feature individual showcases along with performances from the entire ensemble together, this is a must-see show for not only jazz fans, but music fans in general. Grab your tickets here , and be sure to get there early for a beer and a chicken parm.
