The Union Brings Jazz to the People
Tables slide together as friends laugh and order another round of drinks. A few glance between the new addition’s faces and question if sharing the lobster fondue with the rest of the table is a sacrifice they’re willing to take.
There’s an undeniable electricity in the air, which reverberates through the restaurant and energizes it simultaneously. It’s as if the air itself, laced with the sultry music emitting from the stage, is whispering in your ear to forget your shyness and laugh a little louder, if only for the night.
“The first time I went was around Halloween,” Transfer student Carrie Brannen said. “I went in and a Western combo was playing. I have no idea who any of them were, but it was good. We just sat in the air chairs around the stage and just listened.”
The Union, which was sprung from a desire to link Western with downtown Kalamazoo, was created in 2001. The idea came from a previous president, Elson Floyd. Floyd recognized the School of Music’s ability to create great musicians year after year and sparked the fire that created the club.
“This building (Dalton) has almost 700 performances a year and people come to campus for shows at Miller and some come here but a lot of people don’t,” Tom Knific, the jazz studies coordinator said. “The idea was to bring it to the people and put something downtown. The logo above the stage is not just decoration. It’s for real.”
“We thought how do we bring something into the downtown area to help develop downtown and that way we could help do that and do it in such a way to help promote Western a little bit more,” Millennium group partner Bob Lewis said. “That’s kind of the nuts and bolts about how the whole thing came down.”
The Union was built around an idea and quickly became a reality, constructing a restaurant around the idea of a jazz club students can hang out in. Some, however, had doubts in the beginning.
“I was overseeing the operations at the time and they said ‘it was going to be a jazz club’ and I’m thinking it’s going to be like elevator jazz, can’t we do blues or something a bit more upbeat,” Lewis said. “I tell you, that whole mentality on my part was so quickly put to rest.”
Almost overnight The Union became a success. Students, faculty and professionals brought into the area to teach master classes at Western soon found their way onto the stage, which was built to hold a 21-piece orchestra.
Knific soon realized this relationship was something truly unheard of in the academic world. “It’s something visionary,” Knific said. “The fact that you can’t name another arrangement like this automatically tells you that it’s a very special thing that a university president and Ken Miller would just kind of dream this up and make it happen. There’s a synergy between civic and university leaders that’s enviable.”
The downtown area was slowly beginning to breath again with the creation of The Union. Soon, people were going to downtown Kalamazoo just to see what was happening. Lewis and Knific both believe Western is a major reason downtown has flourished, providing it with life and business.
“We moved here over 20 years ago and it’s like a different city downtown. It’s like they’ve recreated it,” Knific said. “I like to think that The Union is a definite anchor in terms of the vibe.”
The music has catapulted downtown and the students who play at The Union into the spotlight. Sean Hammontree, a senior, has played on the Union’s stage at least 15 times and thinks it’s a great addition to the school’s lure.
“A lot of students have played here and it’s given them a chance to further their artistic career.” Hammontree said.
Killian Williams, a senior and performance major, says it’s not only a good way for parents to see their child play more often but for students to support their peers.
“I like that I usually know at least one person on stage,” Williams said. “It’s good food and good beer. And for the under 21 kids it’s a great aesthetic.”
Lewis has enjoyed watching the students grow up on stage and come back as accomplished alumni.
“Once we get those students in they start perpetuating other students in the group,” Lewis said. “It’s been an awesome family down here, and I think family is just the word for it just because it is such a great collaboration and they have the utmost respect for us as restaurateurs.”
Knific has even been incorporating The Union into his recruitment pitches, just like a football coach, Knific shows off his stadium.
“For me Kalamazoo’s a small city but the wealth of the talent because of the university and the students that hang around is remarkable,” Knific said. “I mean you’d be hard pressed to find a city of that demographic. We put on over 100 nights of entertainment a year, that’s over 300 sets of music.”
Kalamazoo has always been a hotbed for blues and music, even housing one of the first Gibson guitar factories. It’s no wonder the tradition lives on through the school, although jazz is still widely misunderstood.
“A lot of people think they don’t like jazz, but they don’t really know what it is and they turn out to be fans. And that’s a very special thing.” Knific said.
The Union often converts people to jazz and blues lovers. Students and faculty alike jump at the chance to educate their listeners. Which is why Jazz It Up! With Fontana music will be educating and entertaining patrons this weekend.
Fontana, which is known for producing concerts, is attempting to get people in the community used to going out and listening to jazz music. The Union is merely their launching pad.
“I think it pulls you in to want to learn more because these people just get up there and improv. I think it’s a good way to launch an interest in jazz.” Brannen said.
The menu at The Union, which Lewis considers to be American cuisine with a twist, continues to tempt students and residents alike. Which isn’t a bad thing with their one of a kind Portobello fries and competitive pricing.
“We’ve always wanted to be very receptive to the students. We didn’t want to be a jazz club that college kids couldn’t afford,” Lewis said. “If you look at our lunch menu and even our dinner menu we keep sandwiches on there, we keep burgers on there. We want college kids to come in too, it’s as much their place, and hence The Union you know like college union.”
The restaurant, which hosts college night every Tuesday, offers $5 burgers all day Tuesday which includes every burger on the menu, and has happy hour every Monday through Friday. Students also get 15 percent off food when they bring in their school ID, all-day and everyday, a benefit most are unaware of. The owners also try to offer a special limited time only menu frequently, like the Michigan vodkas menu that owners are currently developing.
The Union offers a classy alternative to other bars around campus, although Knific doesn’t think enough students know about it.
“I don’t feel like enough Western students realize that it’s their club. That’s the first thing I tell them,” Knific said. “I would encourage them to go because it’s really cool and they can listen to some of their own peers at The Union.”
As soon as you walk into the doors on a Tuesday night you’ll easily be able to tell why so many can’t stop coming back.
“Their food is always really fresh and they have really innovative food, like the Gyro burger,” Brannen said. “I wouldn’t expect that. They have something for everyone, which is really good.”
With the expansion of downtown Kalamazoo in the last decade, the Kalamazoo Mall has become a mecca for those looking for a night out on the town.
“If you come downtown on a weekend and can’t find something to do that makes you happy you’re just not looking. And you don’t even have to look hard.” Lewis said.
The average passerby, however, cannot help but be drawn into The Union, unable to withstand both the music and smells curling around the senses, tantalizing them until the night reluctantly comes to an end.
Students slowly begin to ask for their bills as the performers on stage ease into their closing number, one cannot help but feel as though the night has been an experience. With a heavy stomach and a head, dizzy from the night’s music and laughter, the patrons slowly trickle out into the crisp night air, only to return again and be part of another night’s follies.