Hermann's Jazz Club's late founder to be honoured

As long as there was a band playing on the stage he'd built, he was happy.

Hermann Nieweler, who ran Hermann's Jazz Club in Victoria, B.C. for more than30 years until he passed away in June, didn't always just watch he'd often join musicians on stage with his iconic washboard.

He was particularly fond of Dixieland a style of jazz which developed in New Orleans at the start of the 20th century.

"As he used to say in his club years ago, 'I want to hear a lot of boom! boom! boom!" pianist Tom Vickery told Hot Air host Margaret Gallagher.

Vickery, who has led the Thursday night jam at the club for almost as long as it has been around, is launching his new album The Moment: Live at Hermann's at the club on Thursday, Sept. 17.

The album is dedicated to Nieweler, who was 79when he passed away earlier this year,and the launchsets up a weekend of celebrations honouring the late founder of the eponymous club.

Remembering a local legend

Nieweler, who immigrated to Canada from Germany when he was 22, first worked as a building contractor.

Nieweler's first jazz club was the Dixieland Inn on Government Street.

In 1986 he moved the club to its current location on View Street, renaming it as Hermann's Jazz Club.

"He built a beautiful stage, put in a nice Yamaha grand piano, and then the music started," said Vickery, who had played with house band The Dixieland Express at the previous location.

Belly dancers performed

Vickery said that Nieweler booked a variety of music he used to have a blues night on Tuesday, and even had a belly dancer perform occasionally.

"He was really passionate about all the music, he just loved it when there was somebody up on that bandstand," Vickery said.

There will be plenty of music on offer at the upcoming celebration of Nieweler's life and legacy, as well as a New Orleans-style parade up and down View Street.

"[The musicians] will probably play something solemn on the way down, and then something a little happier on the way back. Then after that it's just one big, open jam," Vickery said.

Vickerysaid he will always remember the times he spent with the late jazz club owner outside of the club.

"We didn't meet that often, but when we did it was either very early for breakfast, or late for bratwurst, but we just had some wonderful conversations and it was just a pleasure being in his company."