By Shirley Wilson
UHCLIDIAN STAFF

Jay "Bird" Berg with the Andy Anderson Trio, entertains
the Dolphin Street patrons with his trumpet.

The night is young, dinner with friends is coming to a close and no one is ready to go home. On an evening like this, the seed was planted for Clear Lake's newest jazz club.

Dolphin Street at 1913 Nasa Road One is Clear Lake's answer to those seeking a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere featuring live jazz performed by some of the area's best jazz musicians.

Kent Larsen, a former engineer, is the owner and creator of Dolphin Street.

"I am a jazz lover and wanted to create a jazz listening room," Larsen said. "I have always thought about doing something like this and when the opportunity arose, I took it."

The Clear Lake area is well known for its rhythm and blues, as well as rock music. Jazz music has not enjoyed the same prominence in Clear Lake or Houston. Pamela Carroll, the club's general manager, agrees that Dolphin Street's concept and music make it stand out in Houston.

"There aren't any jazz clubs in Clear Lake, mostly blues," Carroll said. "We have some of the top musicians in the region play here. Musicians even call us wanting to play here after hearing about us."

Besides jazz music, the club's interior architecture and design adds to the cozy ambiance.

The front entrance seating area leads into the beautiful wood bar. Next to the bar, a wood-paneled game room is sectioned off from the rest of the club. The game room features non-electronic games and a non-imposing television for sports events.

The immediate seating area around the stage is cabaret style with soft candle lighting. Individual seating areas with couches and chairs are grouped around the perimeter. A large fireplace is in one corner bordered by dolphin statues. Pictures of jazz artists adorn the walls. On the stage sits a magnificent rosewood piano. A small, wood dance floor is next to the stage.

The club's design is conducive for seating both large and small parties. The darkly lit, cozy seating areas are perfect for romantic couples.

The club offers appetizers and desserts along with a well-stocked bar. While jazz attracts all ages, the club's clientele is generally mature, over 30s. Dress is casual with more formal dress acceptable, especially on the weekends.

Dolphin Street schedules a diverse lineup of musicians during the week. The night before Hurricane Lili, Oct. 2, the crowd was small. However, that did not dampen the evening's entertainment. Wednesday is "Jazz Jam Session" night with the Andy Anderson Trio. Anderson has played piano with Liza Minelli, Frank Sinatra and Tom Jones, just to name a few. His trio proficiently accompanies jazz musicians who play at the open jam session.

That Wednesday nights' jam featured Jay "Bird" Berg who is known best for his playing with Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, Carman McRae and Tony Scott. Although Berg is formerly retired from the music business, he still plays a mean trumpet and it shows in his solos.

"I replaced Miles Davis in Charlie Parker"s band in the 50s after they got into a little fight," Berg said. "Charlie really liked my playing."

On Miles Davis' hits Laura and All The Things You Are, Berg's trumpet belted out piercing notes that hung in the air before sadly diminishing away.

An event calendar for Dolphin Street is published in the Baycomber and The Scene. Information can also be found on the Dolphin Street Web site www.dolphinstreet.net.

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