David Allee was working near a closed music venue in 1993 when he decided to switch gears in his career. "I had a bicycle shop at 52nd and College Avenue, working with friend and former Broad Ripple High School classmate Michael Slattery. We saw this corner (at 54th and College Avenue) that was available at the time," he explained.

The location at 5377 North College Avenue was previously occupied by Crazy Al's and The Place to Start. Allee's father, Steve, a long-time local musician, had played there along with numerous artists.

Jazz piano virtuoso Steve Allee recalls playing piano at 54th & College Avenue. "In the late 1970s, we played at a club called Crazy Al's. Our big band, 'The John Von Ohlen - Steve Allee Big Band', a 17-piece band, played there every Monday night for several years," he recalled.

The band featured Stan Kenton alumni, saxophonist Chuck Carter, Al Kiger (George Russell) Jim Edison (Della Reese) Don Johnson, lead trumpet, Royce Campbell on guitar, Art Reiner on vibes, Rita Reed on vocals, Phil Allen on trombone and John Von Ohlen on drums (Stan Kenton, Woody Herman).

"Several years later at the same location a new jazz club 'The Place to Start' opened in 1981. We played there often and recorded a vinyl album titled The John Von Ohlen / Steve Allee Big Band LIVE. We also played at the Broad Ripple Tavern (at that time, likely it was at 1001 Broad Ripple Avenue, Cholita today - Editor), The Garage (today Kilroy's on BR Avenue), Curt's in Nora (near where the Kroger is now), The Bluebird in Bloomington, schools and Universities and all of the Festivals in the Indianapolis area," Allee mentioned.

"Fast forward to 1994, our band, the Steve Allee Big Band, played the opening night for the new jazz club in town, 'The Jazz Kitchen', voted one of the top 100 jazz clubs in the world. We just celebrated the 30th anniversary of the club this year!"

"As for the big band, we are now celebrating our 40th anniversary this year. We just recorded two new albums in May with planned release dates of Spring and Fall of 2025. The project is titled. 'Naptown Sound: Full Circle'. More information on the project is available at: www.indyjazzfoundation.org," he noted.

With his entrepreneurial vision, David saw a clear musical path in returning music to the spot where it began years earlier. Although Michael Slattery moved on to a programming career out of state, Allee continued building on early musical contacts he made as the local community took notice.

Indianapolis native and trombonist J.J. Johnson played at the Jazz Kitchen on April 1, 1994 over a three day residency. J.J. Johnson and Arturo Sandoval, Ray Brown, Everett Green and Larry Green, along with Royce Campbell played a lot here in the early days along with Harry Connick, Jr., who appeared there in the mid-1990s.

The Jazz Kitchen also served food, which like the music, has evolved over the years. "It was almost like concession a stand menu in the beginning. There was a point in time where we stepped up our game where clientele had a nice date night and had a greater variety of meals that include Cajun, Creole, and Spanish dishes. We had a bartender, Don Horstman that helped set us on that culinary path to a new menu that has endured through time. We get all of our meat from Kincaid's at 56th and Illinois Street. It's one of those things we do where we can support the neighborhood," he noted. Their catering information can be accessed at: www.thejazzkitchen.com/catering for weddings, corporate parties, fundraisers and more.

Allee traced the roots of his musical journey. "I started in the 5th grade on drums and we stood right behind the trumpet players and I was little more taken by the trumpet, I grew up around music where I helped my father Steve, who is a professional pianist, composer and bandleader. It's been one of the things where I have been in music most of my life."

In addition to his dad, he found several mentors that were instrumental in his musical growth as he played the trumpet. "Pookie Johnson, Russell Webster and Clifford Ratliff were musicians that I looked to musically that taught me early on where they introduced me to so many different things. Two of my teachers, Rudolph Finnell at Broad Ripple High School and Carl Hungerford at IPS 59 were two early influences as well. I played in the All City jazz band with Jimmy Coe and Johnson White," he recalled. He learned the music not only by being around it, but also by being a part of it.

"Jazz is the great American contribution to the world and the experience of listening to it is a unique art form. Classical and ballet are more European. The music was kind of how we got into this business and felt that Indianapolis could support it. We wanted to see the music thrive and over the years, it has evolved in being a catalyst for the local music scene where we can help artists build an audience and keep their projects forward looking. It was definitely an evolutionary tale where the Pandemic occurred when we were closed for nine months. We updated our sound system and made the corner and our shows a better experience for customers. From my vintage point, this is the best place to listen to music. Sonically, it is tighter and more direct for the audience where they can pick up on communication on the bandstand," he noted.

He reflected on the high notes of owning the Jazz Kitchen. "I think one of the most rewarding things is that I am adamant supporter of Indianapolis sound. A lot of what we do is making the Indianapolis Sound better. When I see that a band has a new project out, I get a great deal of satisfaction and a lot of pride in having a venue for them to play. I also continue to play trumpet for my own enjoyment in a Latin band. (His instrument of choice is a Bach Stradivarius.) As owner of the Jazz Kitchen, I'm in a unique position where I can present national and more local acts here. I have always been proud of the Indianapolis scene and what it continues to contribute to push out in terms of music and culture to this day."

The variety of music heard at the Jazz Kitchen attracts a diversity clientele. "One thing that we try to do here is present music that might have little cultural impact, like our Thursday Night Latin Dance Party that brings in a whole different audience that adds to the diversity of what we offer. We can have a Saturday night music set where we also play Latin Jazz. Its interesting, being right here in Meridian-Kessler that more people have been discovering us and know we're here," he mentioned. The Jazz Kitchen doors open at 6 p.m. on Thursday where admission is free until 8 p.m. From 8 p.m. to 1 p.m., there is a $10 cover charge with the fiesta adjourning at 2 p.m. Patrons can e-mail latinnight@thejazzkitchen.com for more information.

He also noted other nationally musical influences. "Freddie Hubbard is one of my all-time favorite musicians from Indianapolis. He just seems to have that nice blend of fire and creativity. I'm also a big fan of Maynard Ferguson, Herb Albert, Chuck Mangione and Clifford Brown. I also like Big Bands like Duke Ellington and Count Basie. As I got older, I listen to Joe Henderson and John Coltrane and have always liked Jimmy Coe and Pookie Johnson. One of the great things about music, I can like one as much as the other."

Steve's music is available on iTunes at: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/steve-allee/250685364 and can be found on all digital platforms as well at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUDsUyk96Xk

Steve is a Yamaha Performing Artist and has performed with Buddy Rich, Slide Hampton, James Moody, Benny Golson, Curtis Fuller, Milt Hinton, Jonathan Blake, Jimmy Cobb, Peter Erskine, Randy Brecker, Steve Houghton, and Rufus Reid. He has been a member of the Rufus Reid 'Out Front Trio' for 14 years.Their trio recording was on the 'Jazz Week' radio charts for 20 weeks including the #1 spot. He also performed on Rufus Reid's Grammy Nominated 'Quiet Pride' Big Band Project on the Motema label.

He has opened for Bill Evans and Tony Bennett and performed for George HW Bush and Bill Clinton. Steve recently performed at the Chicago, Rochester, Skidmore, Montreal, Mid-Atlantic, Indy and Miami Jazz Festivals. Steve received a Marconi Award as Music Director for the nationally syndicated radio show, 'The Bob and Tom Show.'

His contemporary group, 'The Magic Hour Band' featuring Rob Dixon will be performing at the Broad Ripple Art Center, Thursday, August 15th, 2024, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and at The Indy Jazz Fest, White River State Park, Saturday, September 25th, 2024 (Tickets are available at: www.indyjazzfoundation.org). He will also be performing with the Rufus Reid Jazz Orchestra at Dizzy's at Lincoln Center October 24th through the 27th.

To see the Jazz Kitchen's menu and discover what current musical acts are scheduled, visit: www.thejazzkitchen.com or call (317) 253-4900.

As a seasoned entrepreneur and musician, David Allee continues to hit high notes like his father Steve in his musical career. You might occasionally see them share the stage together on certain performances. You can hear some of those local and national artists while enjoying a cultural and culinary journey that meet at the Jazz Kitchen at 5377 North College Avenue.