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"John
Chan provides a place for jazz and blues, a place to sit in
front of an eye dazzling exhibit of paintings, photographs and
posters, a place for artists to be heard and seen, all with a
loyalty and optimism, a canny sense of business, and, best of
all, a genuine delight for the wonderful buffet of talent spread
in front of all of us lucky Rhode Islanders." "His
commitment to local artists like Duke Robillard, Kim Trusty,
Scott Hamilton and the incomparable Dave McKenna keep them
coming back long after they have attained national and
international reputations.
Ruth Dealy in recognition of Chan's receipt of the Arts and
Business Council of Rhode Island Small Business Award
Chan's Rhode Island landmark and nationally recognized Four
Seasons Jazz and Blues Club allows patrons to view some of the
finest musical acts in the world while munching on exceptional
cuisine. Offered on weekends with an occasional national
act on weekdays, Chan's has presented some of the best known
local and international blues, jazz, folk and other musical
artists. In addition, a weekly "open jazz night" provides anyone
with musical talent to play on stage by themselves, with other
participants or occasionally, a celebrity artist.
Finally, the Four Seasons plays host to special events including
Rhode Island movie premieres (such as the Rhode Island premieres
of Something About Mary and Stuck on You, as well as the recent
premiere of a film about the Warwick Tent.) or other forms of
entertainment, including comics. Tickets can be purchased
through this website and a current calendar can be viewed
here.
When
deciding to add music to the restaurant while a Providence
College student, Chan said, "My intention was to create a unique
supper club atmosphere combining great food with great music and
giving patrons a truly fun night out."
Over the years, many changes have taken place at the jazz supper
club. In 1977, the first act to perform was a band featuring
vocalist Jean McKenna O'Donnell, Alvin Pulley on guitar, Rodney
Delassantra on accordion, Bill Gilbert on drums and Woonsocket
legend Sam Sherman on slide trombone. This first show, including
others soon to follow such as Greg Abate and Channel One and
Razmataz, all performed in the small, original dining room area.
A highlight of this time was renowned jazz vocalist Rebecca
Parris recording a live album at the restaurant, simply called,
"Live at Chan's."
During these early days, Chan credits much
of his concert series success to WGBH's Ron Della Chiesa who was
very supportive with his "Music America" program in getting the
music world to know about the great live music John was
presenting in Woonsocket, RI.
In 1986, John opened the Four Seasons
Banquet Room which, to this day, offers audiences better
acoustics and viewing and more seating. Over the years, many
local bands and greats from all genres of music have played at
Chan's including:
- The legendary Dizzy Gillespie
- Scott Hamilton
- Mose Allison
- John Hammond
- Leon Redbone
- Jim Thackery
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- Duke Robillard
- Makoto Ozone
- Roomful of Blues
- James Montgomery
- Magic Dick
- J. Geils (person, not the band)
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- Ana Popovich
- Commander Cody
- Popa Chubby
- Sugar Ray & the Bluetones
- Coco Montoya
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The
nineties saw the venue become more eclectic as John added blues,
R&B and folk to his menu.
"Dizzie
Gillespie played his 70th birthday bash here in 1988?.
I remember when the Mardi Gras King from the Woonsocket
Jaycees Mardi Gras celebration stopped in, Dizzie knelt down
and kissed his ring. The next year, following a gig at
Bryant College, Gillespie stopped in on his way home saying
he just wanted to stop in Chan's and get something to eat.
He died 5 years later."
John Chan
Keeping the Jazz and Blues Tradition Alive
Through the years, John Chan has been
delighted to keep the great American traditions of jazz and
blues alive by providing an intimate stage on which it can take
place. He marvels at every performance at the great chemistry
that takes place between audience and performer because they are
so close to each other.
Chan stresses that we are blessed with
incredible musical talent in the New England region and he has
found the music to be a very gratifying personal experience,
thanking all the musicians and fans who have been a part of "Egg
Roll, Jazz and Blues Live at Chan's" over the past 32 years.
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