Yardbird Suite (jazz club)


Yardbird Suite is a jazz club located at 11 Tommy Banks Way in Edmonton, Alberta. Operating since 1984, it is one of Canada's oldest jazz clubs. Several live albums have been recorded at the club.

History

The first incarnation of the Yardbird Suite opened on 23 March 1957 on Whyte Avenue. The club was started by Edmonton musicians Terry Hawkeye, Zen and Ray Magus, Ron Repka, Garry Nelson, Ken Chaney and Neil Gunn. The original club moved two times before closing in 1967.
In 1984 the Edmonton Jazz Society opened a new Yardbird Suite at the current location of 11 Tommy Banks Way. Since that time the venue has run continuously, making it one of Canada's longest-running jazz venues.

Locations