The origins of the Illiana Club can be traced to a roadhouse on Route 30 outside of Dyer, Indiana by the name of the Inn Place. Owned by Jerry Fuller, clarinetist in a number of fine mid-20th century swing jazz groups including that of trombonist Jack Teagarden, the Inn Place featured live jazz four to five nights a week. In 1973, seeing the enthusiasm of members of the Indianapolis Jazz Club upon a visit to the roadhouse venue, three jazz enthusiasts and Inn Place regulars proposed to create a club dedicated to traditional jazz that served the Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland area.
An affiliate organization of the Jazz Institute of Chicago, the Illiana Club of Traditional Jazz is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of traditional or “hot” jazz in all its forms. Since incorporating in 1973 the Illiana Club has produced and promoted hundreds of traditional jazz concerts throughout the greater Chicago area. Today all concerts are held at the Glendora House located in Chicago Ridge, and feature many of the area’s ensembles devoted to preserving the traditions of one of America’s original homes of hot jazz.
Illiana Club of Traditional Jazz Information
- Public Transportation: Fair (accessible by bus 386 at Harlem Avenue/103rd Street)
- Handicapped Accessibility: Good
- Performances/Programs: One concert produced per month, as well as four annual festivals of traditional jazz
- Ticket Prices: Vary depending on event.
