Jazz Alive in Bed-Stuy

Chances are, if you've walked by 966 Fulton Street at about 8:00 in the evening on a Friday night, you've heard it: Music, singing, dancing! Almost every Friday for the past 20 years, 966 Fulton Street has been home to Jazz 966, a live music event for anyone who enjoys jazz and blues.

Jazz 966 was founded in 1990 by Dr. Sam Pinn and his late associate Arnold Freeman. Since its founding, this mini juke joint has become one of the foremost destinations for top-notch musical acts in Brooklyn.

Interestingly, despite its deep roots in Bed-Stuy, Jazz 966 started with a trip to Manhattan, Pinn explained.

"A few of my friends and I wanted to go see some jazz, so we went to The Blue Note, and at the time, we ended up paying about $200," said Pinn. "Well, we just thought that was very expensive." After that trip, he and Freeman decided to form a club in Brooklyn that would give residents an inexpensive way to experience great music, and Jazz 966 was born.

"Considering that 2.7 million people live in Brooklyn and lots of those people are interested in jazz, we knew we had something that people liked," he explains. "We also spoke to a lot of musicians, and it was something that they wanted to be a part of as well."

Pinn was right. The list of musicians who have played Jazz 966 is impressive: Wynton Marsalis, Etta Jones and Barry Harris are just a few who have had the crowds dancing in their chairs.

, a Bed-Stuy resident who recently received a Grammy nomination for his debut album, Water, played Jazz 966 in July of this year, and says it was an experience he'll never forget.

"Jazz 966 is definitely a place that holds down the legacy of jazz music," said Porter. "It's great because the people there have seen the masters play. They've seen Duke Ellington. I will never get to see Duke Ellington. So being able to talk with someone who has, it's amazing. They're a very knowledgeable audience. So when you perform at a place like that, and they know all the songs, it's a very soulful experience."

Dr. Pinn says that with all the greats who have passed through Jazz 966's doors, it's nearly impossible to pick just one who stands out. He lists a few memorable performances, pauses, and then adds, "I guess all of them are favorites, I can't pick just one. It's like asking, 'who's better, Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant?' They're both great. So which is the best, oh I'm just not sure."

One thing is for sure: Jazz 966 will keep Brooklyn swinging, dancing, bopping and swaying for a long time to come.