The Jazz Don’t Die: Blu Jaz Cafe Finally Has Its Entertainment Licence Renewed

These alleys are coming alive with jazz music once again (Credit: Blu Jaz Cafe Facebook page)

If there’s one thing musical history has taught us, it’s that you can’t kill the spirit of jazz. Hearts shattered like a fallen cymbal in early 2019, when it was announced that venerable music venue, Blu Jaz Cafe, had lost its Public Entertainment Licence – due to overcrowding – after a 13-year run.

Situated in the Kampong Glam district, Blu Jaz Cafe was not only a playground for live jazz music, but also a boundless space for all sorts of DJ-driven parties; Good Times, Pushin’On and Dub Skank’in Hifi Soundsystem were just some of the numerous collectives that coloured this sanctum with groove and grit. It was an institution of the scene, and its licence’s revocation, naturally, was a blow.

The stages of Blu Jaz Cafe will be empty no more (Credit: Blu Jaz Cafe Facebook page)

2020, however, marks a spring in the establishment’s step, as it’s recently revealed that it’s had its licence renewed. This follows a year’s struggle involving appeal letters and petitions to keep the music going, and the powers that be have had a change of heart.

“Your gestures, petitions, and letters have touched the core of our hearts,” Blu Jaz Cafe stated in a triumphant social media post. “We are forever grateful to you and words can’t thank you enough. We are but a little cog in the music ecosystem, yet you’ve sent us so much love and support.”

Blu Jaz Cafe sees the return of live acts like the New Stream Brass Band (Credit: Blu Jaz Cafe Facebook page)

And to prove that this excitement isn’t premature, Blu Jaz Cafe has disclosed its first weekly schedule of the year, with live gigs on almost every day this week. From veteran-led jazz jams to brassy New Orleans nights, these diverse events signal a fresh start for the storied venue, one that positively enlivens its neighbourhood and the scene.

Blu Jaz Cafe, 11 Bali Lane, Singapore 189848, +65 9199 0610.