To jazz junkies and blues brothers, Jo Federigo’s is a well-known household name. The restaurant and jazz club, located at 259 E. 5th Ave., has been around for more than 20 years and has been the heart of cool jazz and lively blues in the Eugene area. Jo Fed’s was the home to famous and local musicians such as Mark Alen, Gus Russel, Barbara Dzuro, J.C Rico, Bruce Cole, and local bands to the likes of Eagle Park Slims and Reeble Jar. Recently the club was bought out by Mjai Restaurant Management Inc., with the hopes of completely renovating, expanding and all-over improving the name of Jo Fed’s.
The club and restaurant was officially reopened March 20 and was renamed Jo Federigo’s Hour House. Numerous changes have been made both physically and characteristically to make Jo Fed’s not only a great musical scene but also a wonderful place to wine and dine.
“Our goal is to revitalize Eugene’s live jazz scene and invite the old-school players back,” said Seth Long, the district manager of Mjai.
As of right now the hour house is open for business with an ever-progressing wine bar, an extensive and creative cocktail list, and a healthy “pub-like” menu that supports local Eugene farmers and markets. Upstairs, patrons can sit in a romantic atmosphere, having a fine dinner and a bottle of wine. Downstairs they can chat with friends in the cushy leather booths and listen to live jazz while sipping on their drink of choice and eating from the delicious organic and seasonal menu.
The food is just the beginning of the changes that have been made to this premier music club. The interior has been renovated completely, yet the former granary building has still kept its low light, laid back, old-school style. The venue includes live music downstairs in the lounge almost every night of the week, and Jo Fed’s is not limiting its music scene to just jazz. All different types of music are welcome to make their mark on the historical club; “We want to support the local Eugene musicians,” Long said. However, live jazz and blues will be the main focus Thursday through Sunday nights. Friday and Saturday has dinner sets starting at 6:30 p.m., where diners can enjoy free music and great food. For the early birds, there is a 4 to 5 p.m. happy hour with two-for-one cocktails. If you happen to be an up-and-coming serious musician and want to give the floor a try, Thursday night jazz jams start at 9:30 p.m. For more information on the venue, visit www.jofederigos.com for weekly music calendar updates.
Don’t be mistaken, this club is no Club Snafu (although owned by the same company) and it certainly is not Taylor’s, but it is a place to go for true entertainment and an immersion into jazz and music history. The scene is hip and intimate where friends can actually carry on a conversation while having a night out. The cocktails are old-school mixes with some new flavors and styles. The food is healthy and pure, true to Eugene style, and the music is full of soul, bass and talent. The hour house caters to all ages and under 21-ers can chill in the lounge until 10 p.m. Music is playing until late into the night and the vitality of Eugene’s historical jazz club is ever-growing.
As our fair state decides to open up its skies and show us Oregonians some much-needed sun, Jo Fed’s plans to open up a lunch menu and cater to the seasonal flavors of summer and the year-round beats that keep Jo Federigo’s the premier jazz club of Eugene.