Smalls Jazz Club

New York

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Smalls Jazz Club opened in 1994 by ex-naval nurse, Mitch Borden. Borden brought a philosophical approach to managing the club. He felt that the social element of hanging out was of utmost importance. He fostered a loose club environment featuring jam sessions and gave the musical community priority over sound business practice. A young generation of musicians quickly made Smalls their homebase. During the early period of Smalls, there was no liquor license and the club operated 24/7. Some musicians lived in the club full time. Many prominent names of the current jazz scene cut their teeth at Smalls. Now, multiple generations of jazz musicians credit Smalls as their incubator and a start to their careers.After September 11, 2001, the economics of New York City changed and Smalls went bankrupt. The club was closed for nearly two years re-opened briefly as a Brazilian bar. Although the space was upgraded and got a liquor license, the Brazilian bar was not popular. The owner sought Borden and asked him to re-open Smalls. Borden worked with him for two more years until the owner became fed up decided to sell the business. Jazz pianist Spike Wilner and poet Lee Kostrinsky partnered with Borden to buy and reconfigure the club and to give it new life. The club was again committed to the idea of promoting and presenting jazz music as well as providing a communal residence for the fans and artists. There was also a commitment to record, transmit and preserve all of the work created at Smalls and Mezzrow for future generations to study and enjoy. The SmallsLIVE Archive was created in September of 2007 and continues to this day.