MIT's Muddy Charles Pub has launched a new effort to bring traditional jazz to the MIT community. The Pat Battstone Quartet, with special guests, performs every Wednesday from 8:30-10:30pm for appreciative listeners and for musicians who are encouraged to bring their instruments and sit in with the group.
"The first few weeks were major successes," said Joe Contrada, manager of the Muddy Charles. "The band came in on a normally empty night and packed the place and kept it packed. Whatever they're doing, I told them to keep doing it."
The quartet, made up of Draper Lab employee Mr. Battstone (piano), biology graduate student Tien-Yi Lee (drums), John Frazee (trumpet) and Fredi Meli (bass), has been playing at the Muddy Charles since early January.
"When I first started playing jazz, there were a dozen places around town where one could go and play with the older musicians," said Mr. Battstone, noting the current lack of such venues.
The Muddy is located in Rm 50-110, next to the tennis courts on Memorial Drive. Admission is free (over 21, please), and atmosphere is relaxed. "Where else can one sit by a fireplace, overlooking the Charles and listen to great live music?" Mr. Battstone said.
A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on February 25, 1998.
