In 2011, Attorney Herb Ely had the vision of opening an inclusive jazz venue in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona that would give budding jazz musicians a place to perform and learn about jazz, and build a new audience for America’s original art form. Through the tireless efforts of Herb and his wife Lorene, The Nash opened in downtown Phoenix on April 12, 2012 with a Jazz for Young People concert performed by Wynton Marsalis—who drove from New York City and appeared pro bono in recognition of the new venue’s bold promise, not to mention his respect for its namesake: drummer Lewis Nash, a native son of Phoenix.
The Nash has become not only an extraordinarily successful Phoenix music space, but a unique model for building jazz communities in America. The intention from the start was to attract students, educators, musicians and audiences to share and care for jazz in a dedicated, non-profit, non-commercial environment. It was been an unprecedented success over the past five years, having been named by DownBeat Magazine to its list of “160 Great Jazz Venues in The World” four times in that short period of time.
Jazz Hubs
The Jazz Forward Coalition recently named The Nas
