Steve Coleman inaugurates a pop-up jazz club at the Saint-Romain-en-Gal archaeological museum

The famous American saxophonist accompanied by his Five Elements opened the first season of the “Quartier Latin Jazz Club”. Several concerts are already scheduled in the restaurant of the Gallo-Romain museum which borders the Rhône. An adventure made possible thanks to the passion of several fans of the genre including the founder of Jazz à Vienne, Jean-Paul Boutellier.

“You are the first, it’s the first concert… and you are the first on earth”, laughs American saxophonist Steve Coleman to the audience. This Sunday evening, the restaurant room of the Gallo-Roman museum of Saint-Romain-en-Gal (Rhône) is full. Not for a meal, but to inaugurate a brand new jazz club: Le Quartier Latin.

Initiated by Jean-Paul Boutellier, the creator of the famous Jazz à Vienne festival, this concept programs on Sunday evening artists from the local scene but also internationally renowned musicians. “This is what we call ‘tour queues’. I am in touch, for example, with the Duc des Lombards (famous Parisian Jazz Club). We pick up artists who are often in demand on Fridays and Saturdays and who can take a TGV to play at our place on Sunday evening”, explains Jean-Paul Boutellier.

Comfortably installed facing the Rhône, the audience savors every note. The musicians also appreciate the atmosphere, time seems suspended as the barges pass on the river. “It’s cool, it’s a beautiful place, I wish I had the same in New York.” says Steve Coleman. A decorthunderous and acoustics which proved to be excellent assures drummer Sean Rickman. “As it is a museum, I was expecting an echo like in a marble room but the sound is good, it is fine and homogeneous.” Faithful to the spirit of legendary jazz clubs, the atmosphere continued well after the concert with a moment of exchange and conviviality around a drink at the restaurant bar.

The Rhône department is lending the place until 2027, before the museum is renovated. The rhythm is launched with two concerts per month, or eight concerts between March and June which will punctuate this first 2024 season. On the program: tradition, excellence and creations for unforgettable jazz experiences. The Latin Quarter then hopes to be able to schedule one concert per week. The price of tickets ranges from 15 to 30 euros.

Upcoming concerts in the Latin Quarter of the Gallo-Roman museum of Saint-Romain-en-Gal

Sunday March 24: Dmitry Baevsky Trio
Sunday April 7: Black Is The Color – CREATION
Sunday April 28: Estelle Perrault & Alain Jean-Marie Trio
Sunday May 12: Jeb Patton
Sunday May 26: Ghost Jazz Project – CREATION