For sale: World's oldest jazz club. (Baker's Keyboard Lounge)

[The Straight Story]

For sale: World's oldest jazz club.

For sale: World's oldest jazz club. Cozy banquettes. Warm acoustics. Hipster vibe. Vintage '50s décor and curvy bar. Haunted by ghosts of Miles, Dizzy and Coltrane. Worn around the edges. Needs TLC. Minimum bid: $385,000.

The fate of Baker's Keyboard Lounge, the legendary joint at Livernois and 8 Mile that's been a pillar of Detroit's nightlife since 1934, will likely be decided Monday when the club is put up for auction in bankruptcy court.

Baker's has been integral to Detroit's cultural identity as a jazz mecca for so long, it's hard for musicians, aficionados and even casual fans to conceive of the city without it. Detroit-born saxophone star James Carter, who grew up inspired by the heroes he heard at Baker's, calls it "holy ground."

"You join this caravan of cats who have been there and made musical and spiritual contributions beyond measure," he said.

http://www.freep.com/article/20110129/ENT04/101290319/1039/Baker-s-Keyboard-Lounge-scheduled-auction-bankruptcy-court

[Diamonique]

1. I hope someone gets it who appreciates it and keeps it going.

I spent many Saturday nights in that place listening to some great music.

[Ninga]

2. I pray that some financial angel flys in and saves the day for this landmark of jazz history.