Rudy’s Jazz Room: Nashville’s Swankiest College Hang

College students and young adults increasingly flock to Rudy’s Jazz Room each week to hear and play authentic jazz in Nashville’s most authentic and intimate New Orleans-inspired club.  

A bartender shakes ice to the beat of the music and pours two customers drinks. Designer Adam Charney modeled Rudy’s after traditional New Orleans jazz clubs, while the bar’s layout mirrors Smalls Jazz Club in New York City. 

“A lot of college students tend to be interested in jazz,” said bassist Jacob Jezioro. “There’s a history of counterculture related to jazz. The ideas can be related to radical college ideas like freedom and independence. It’s the philosophy people were kind of getting into when they’re in college.” 

A group of young adults spend their Friday night chatting, swaying and listening to live jazz performances. 

Rudy’s, named by Jezioro as the only real jazz club in Nashville, hosted the Don Aliquo Quartet on Friday night.

Groups of varying ages, including young adults, gathered to watch saxophonist Don Aliquo, Jezioro, drummer Ryan Brasley and pianist Alex Murphy carry the night with their soulful delivery. 

The Don Aliquo Quartet performs John Coltrane classics.

As a performer and former jazz studies professor at Middle Tennessee State University, Aliquo said he believes watching live jazz is not only an enjoyable experience but also a crucial learning opportunity for students. 

“Until you’ve sat there and watched how they do it and hear how they interact with the other people and they’re up close, that’s where you really learn. There’s no substitute for live music,” said Aliquo. 

Aliquo steps back and pensively takes in the music as Jezioro and Murphy play separate solos during the set. 

While many young adults enjoy gathering in Rudy’s as a listener, several take to the stage themselves.

Despite Rudy’s generally being a venue for ages 21 and over, the frequently sold-out Sunday Jams for all ages allow young jazz players to perform the music they love, said door host Khiara Braden. 

The Rudy’s stage also hosts many teenage players that are as young as 16 or 17 on Sunday nights. 

Braden poses by the Rudy’s front entrance. Her brother, Michael Braden, co-founded Rudy’s in 2017 and encouraged Braden in 2023 to be the first face guests see when walking through the club’s doors. 

“They get up there and they play with passion. A lot of them come every single week. They love it, and I love that we can provide some place for them to do that,” said Braden.  

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This Photo Story was done by Madeleine Bradford