Jazz Record Mart
3.0
- Neighborhood: River North
- 444 N. Wabash Ave.
- Chicago, IL 60611
- 312-222-1467
Browse among 20,000 CDs and 30,000 LP albums, plus cassette tapes, posters, T-shirts, music charts, videos, postcards, listening stations and a
computerized recording database all presented by Bob Koester, founder of
the Delmark Records label. He opened the store in 1958; this location debuted May 30, 1995. The extensive selection of jazz and blues music is complemented with an international section of music from Cuba, Latin America, Africa, Brazil and other locales. The staff is knowledgeable but not snobbish, and often can help track down unusual recordings or make recommendations based on customer preferences. The store does particularly well during Chicago music events such as Blues and Jazz Festivals. Stock includes rarities from the beginning of recorded music up to contemporary stuff. (The average record store, if it has a jazz section, probably hasn't heard about Sidney Bechet or Roscoe Mitchell.) The store has a stage with seating for 50-60 people, with standing room for an additional 15-20, to hear visiting and local musicians (typically twice monthly). Jazz Record Mart publishes its own quarterly newsletter/catalog, Rhythm & News.
Getting There
- Cross Streets:
- Wabash and Hubbard.
- Parking:
- Street. Pay Lots.
- Public Transportation:
- Accessible by city bus (22-Clark, 36-Broadway, Michigan routes, 65-Grand); subway trains (Red Line-Grand); taxicabs plentiful.
- Wheelchair Access:
- No
The Basics
- Hours:
-
10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday ((extended
hours for Blues and Jazz Fests); closed major holidays.
- Smoking:
- No
- Music Style:
- Jazz
- Audience:
- Families
Features
- Food:
- Refreshments in tandem with in-store performances.
- Internet Access:
- Research computer for artist, album, title search.
- Features:
- Scenic View. Outside the entrance is a grand view of the southern end of the Magnificent Mile, including the Michigan Avenue Bridge, Wrigley Building and Tribune Tower. In-store appearances by local and national jazz performers nearly every weekend.
- Facilities:
- No pets.
- Specialties:
- World's largest jazz/blues specialty shop; in-store performances, photographic and art showings occasionally.
- Payment Methods:
- American Express, Discover Card, and Visa
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Seating :
- Seating for 50-60 people for in-house performances, with additional standing room for 15-20.
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Rate Jazz Record Mart
"Heaven on Earth for the Jazz Listener"
Dan430 from Evanston - April 13, 2008
The Record Mart has by far the best selection of Jazz and Blues albums I have ever seen. If you like Jazz music and are visiting Chicago, you need...
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"Disappointed in the Customer Service"
Mookie from Lakeview - January 2, 2008
"I went into the store about a week before Christmas to search for a Jazz CD I heard in Mexico. To be fair, I did walk in after the store closed at...
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