Jazz fans gather Sunday for campaign to save Hermann’s

Local musicians and fans of Hermann’s Jazz Club will gather this weekend in support of a non-profit society campaigning to save the landmark music venue.

“We have until the end of the month to raise $600,000 in charitable pledges,” said Nichola Walkden from the Jazz On View Society.

When club founder Hermann Nieweler died in 2015, his estate was left to his three children and included the View Street building with one of the country’s most-popular jazz clubs — a passion project for Nieweler.

Walkden said the family agreed to sell the building to the non-profit society in a multimillion-dollar plan that came with a strict budget and deadlines. The contract says they have until Oct. 31 to come up with the funds.

“We’ve already made our three $10,000 deposits,” Walkden said, adding there are several potential business backers for the plan. A public campaign and meetings have rallied support to permanently save the club, which is currently being run by one of the Nieweler children.

“We’ve had more than 130 letters from across the country about why this club is important,” said Walkden, noting many point out that it’s one of the few all-ages venues where budding musicians can, and have, earned their chops.

On Sunday, some of the city’s top jazz musicians and jazz lovers will gather in Centennial Square from noon to 6 p.m. to raise awareness about the campaign. Performers include the Phatfunks, Impulse Response, Snazzy Trio, Tony Genge Organ Trio, Maureen Washington Quartet and the DeVastators.

One of Nieweler’s sons said he supports the non-profit group wanting to buy the club and plans to attend Sunday’s event.

“I encourage the local music community, and all supporters of live music in Victoria, to support the current fundraising campaign in order to facilitate the closing of this agreement, and the continuation of Hermann’s legacy as a communityoriented live music venue,” said Stephan Nieweler.