Clarence Baker - R.I.P.

[Lois Gilbert]

Clarence Baker former owner of Baker's Keybord Lounge passes

Clarence Baker, former owner of the "worlds oldest jazz club" in Detroit,Michigan passed sunday 9/28 at 93. He is survived by his wife Kay.

[Al in NYC]

Sad sad news. A beloved figure to many in Detroit's jazz community, Clarence kept things running out there at Livernois and 8 Mile far longer than anyone thought he could. Even after he sold the place off and the new owners flopped he rather miraculously came back and ran the club again. Anyone who is ever in Detroit should take the trip to Baker's, even though it's a long way out from Downtown, to see a club with great acoustics and sightlines that is a virtual museum of mid-20th century cool.