2016 WAS A PRETTY GOOD YEAR

 In the New Year, may your right hand always be stretched out in friendship and never in need.

2016 was a pretty good year.

It was a year of change. For many, things were getting better.  For others there was the Dirty Dog Jazz Café, a place that doesn’t chance, a place you can count on , a place where you can get lost in the music, a place  where  there is always  a parade of great musicians and satisfied customers, a place where smiles and laughter were up this past year with pure joy trending in the right direction.

Detroit continued to find new energy, and the music in the city picked up on it. In our expanding  environment we felt confident to take more risk and also to pause and enjoy life. There were transitions as we lost some notables and welcomed in some new voices.

 All in all, it was a pretty good year

Here are some things that helped to make 2016 memorable for me:

 Carl’s smile:

Andre’s food:

The Dirty Dog’s remarkably good natured staff

Detroit’s heart cried out in pain for some losses and then it sang out in joy for all their lives.

Music lost  too many artists and  innovators in 2016  including Prince and Leonard Cohen. The Dirty Dog lost two of its favorites, Mose Allison and Lynn Laplante. We know that their music lives on , but all the same… it isn’t easy.

The stream of young players who have benefited from a chance to try out their chops at the Dirty Dog.

All the times I have watched Detroit jazz fans listen with so much appreciation, knowledge and respect.

Each time I listened while an artist give back to a rapt audience.

Willie saying: DIRRRRTY DAWG!!!

Willie gently coaxes everyone at the Dog to do their best.

THE YEAR ENDED ON AN UPBEAT NOTE WITH

a deserved tribute to Gretchen Valade by her friends and fellow musicians. The first lady of Detroit jazz was given a standing ovation last Sunday at the new GETCHEN VALADE JAZZ CENTER at the Hillberry Theatre. It was her gift to Detroit.  Jazz now has a home in our city. She remains Detroit jazz’s principle advocate.

AND AGAIN, ALL THE SMILES

All IN ALL THIS WAS A PRETTY GOOD YEAR

The Dirty Dog is looking forward to being part of your New Year in 2017 and wishing that you may  have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night, and the road downhill all the way to your door.

And from me,  John Osler,  Happy New Year

ALL WEEK RJ SPANGLER WILL BRING THE REMARKABLE PLANET D NONET TO THE DIRTY DOG JAZZ CAFÉ,  A PRETTY GREAT FINISH TO A PRETTY GOOD YEAR.

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