Brownstown Jazz Club is almost open

City bureaucracy and financial obstacles won’t stop Uptown’s newest music impresario from getting The Brownstone Jazz Club open for business.

For nearly a year, Johnnie Brown and his business partner Hernita Moore have worked non-stop to make the building on the northwest corner of Hennepin Avenue and 28th Street a go-to spot for Twin Cities’ jazz lovers, tapping into their personal finances to do it.

“I’m learning as we go,” he said. “It’s going to help out in the future for me.”

The club, which can legally admit about 90 people, has become one of the most anticipated music venues in Uptown since Brown, a popular local performer, teased crowds at last summer’s Open Streets on Hennepin Avenue.

“They were so glad to have something in Uptown again,” Brown said, with the crowd asking, “What about the Brownstone? We can’t wait.”

That was the motivation he needed. “I’ve got to make this happen,” he said, quickly discovering that City permits and renovations take time and money, which have kept the Brownstone from opening its doors.

“Every time you finish one thing there’s another that has to be done, too,” he said, hoping he has given the City what it needs.

“I’ve sent everything they’ve asked for, credit report, everything,” he said. “I just want them to fast track it.”

Brown recently met with Mayor Jacob Frey and Ward 7 Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer who told him they would “do what they need to do to get this place open,” he said, suggesting the City could streamline the project.

“Don’t make us jump through so many hoops, especially for money that’s used for this,” he said. “Money cleans up everything.”

Brown sang gospel music in church, but not publicly. He grew up in Mississippi, close to Clarksdale, the birthplace of the Delta blues. With encouragement from the late local legend Arnella Allen, Brown began covering Teddy Pendergrass songs and other R & B artists in 2012, developing a loyal following.

“I’ve been blessed to be on stage with a lot of good people. And they have helped me in so many ways,” he said.

The 60-year-old Brown said the Brownstone Jazz Club is his way of giving back to them and providing young musicians a place to perform.

“I have had so many calls about what we can do to book this place,” he said. “This place is hot but it ain’t open.”

Getting it open has nearly tapped out Moore and Brown’s personal resources, so he said he hopes the City and even private backers can provide financial relief.

For Brown, the club will be part of Uptown’s rebirth and a place where music provides something everybody needs, namely nourishment for the soul.

“We can eat all day, but if our spirit don’t get fed, your soul don’t get fed, you are not going to survive,” he said.

The Brownstone Jazz Club is located at 2756 Hennepin Ave. Visit https://brownstonejazzclub.com/ for the latest news about the club’s progress and information on its $16,500 fundraiser.