Jammin' Java is a music club and coffee bar in Vienna, Virginia, which focuses on local and independent musical acts. The 200-seat venue has hosted eminent artists such as Nick Jonas, Paramore, Bon Iver, Owl City, Meiko and Ingrid Michaelson. It was founded in 1999, and in 2001 was bought and revamped by the Brindley brothers who currently own and run it. According to Pollstar, it has become a top-100 club in ticket sales in the world since its Brindley ownership.[1] It was also named one of the top 40 music clubs in America by Paste magazine.[2]

Jammin' Java
Map
Address227 Maple Avenue East
LocationVienna, Virginia 22180 USA
Coordinates38°54′15″N 77°15′40.2″W / 38.90417°N 77.261167°W / 38.90417; -77.261167
OwnerDaniel, Jonathan, and Luke Brindley
TypeCoffeehouse
Seating typeStanding and seating
Capacity200
Construction
OpenedOctober 8, 1999; 25 years ago (1999-10-08)
RenovatedNovember 15, 2001; 23 years ago (2001-11-15)
Website
jamminjava.com/home

History

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Christian roots

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The first Jammin' Java opened in 1998 in a former pool hall in Kent Island, Maryland.[3][4][5] The owners, Paul and Theresa Klassen, wanted to develop Maryland into a center for Christian music. It was the Klassens' teenage son who gave them the idea to create a chain of community spaces that offered musicians and coffee, with a focus on nondenominational Christianity.[6][7][8] The Klassens had previously opened a 1,000-square-foot nonprofit recording studio, named Waters Edge, which was available to Christian recording artists.[6]

On November 8, 1999, the second Jammin' Java was opened in a strip mall in Vienna, Virginia.[4] The former Rite Aid became a coffee shop, small music venue, recording studio, and a music store that sold guitars and amplifiers.[3] The venue mainly featured Contemporary Christian music and small acts, but it was described by the manager Matt Turner as being "faith-based and non-denominational" and did not feature Christian iconography.[3] The Klaasens also helped groups in Indianapolis and Orlando open their own Jammin' Java locations.[7]

Brindley brothers ownership

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The Klaussens closed the original Jammin' Java in Kent Island, and they sold the Jammin' Java in Vienna to brothers Daniel, Jonathan, and Luke Brindley on October 15, 2001.[9][10][11] The brothers, all musicians originally from New Jersey, were interested in opening a place where other musicians could play and began to renovate the venue to improve its musical capabilities.[12][13] Renovations to the venue included building a new stage and installing new lighting and sound system, as well as a full bar.

The club reopened on October 15, 2001. The new owners removed the Christian-focus of the venue, they began serving alcohol and full meals, and they booked more musicians to its stage.[14][15] The musical acts originally focused on singer-songwriters and local bands, but has since moved on to more varied offerings such as punk, rock, and pop artists.[9][16] Over the years the venue became more successful and well-known, earning accolades such as being named one of the top 40 music clubs in America by Paste magazine, topping reader polls from The Washington Post for local live venues and being named one of the best places to hear live music by AOL Cityguide.[17]

In October 2011, Jammin' Java celebrated its tenth anniversary under the Brindley owners. The anniversary month featured special events and concerts and allowed patrons to buy a month-long pass for $100.[9][10]

Services

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As a musical venue, Jammin' Java is a 200-seat club that offers daily live music. Shows average more than once daily and the venue has held about 7,000 concerts from 2001 to 2011.[12] During the day Jammin' Java features Tot Rock, a family-oriented music series. The club also teaches music lessons with Music School at Jammin' Java.[18]

Co-owner Daniel Brindley also operates an artist management company out of the club with Go Team! Music Artist Management as well as a record label, Go Team! Records. Artists managed by the company include Chelsea Lee, Rocknoceros and Deep River.[12][17]

References

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  1. ^ "Pollstar 2011 Worldwide Ticket Sales" (PDF). Pollstar. 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 7, 2012. Retrieved October 25, 2011.
  2. ^ Paste Staff (May 29, 2007). "America's 40 Best Music Venues". Paste Magazine. Retrieved October 25, 2011.
  3. ^ a b c Brace, Eric (January 28, 2000). "A Coffee Shop With a Mission". The Washington Post. p. H6. Archived from the original on August 16, 2000.
  4. ^ a b Grossman, Cathy Lynn (November 11, 1999). "Brew, biscotti and a place to be a believer". USA Today. p. D10.
  5. ^ Gilgoff, Dan (December 10, 1999). "The Battle of Shiloh". The Washington City Paper. Retrieved October 25, 2011.
  6. ^ a b Murray, Shanon D. (January 12, 1998). "Jammin', java and Jesus Music: Local entrepreneurs envision recording studios and a string of coffeehouses dedicated to Christian popular music". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 25, 2011.
  7. ^ a b Salmon, Jacqueline L. (October 19, 2000). "Coffee to Warm the Stomach, Soul". The Washington Post. p. VA1.
  8. ^ "Jammin' Java profile". Fairfax County, Virginia. 2000. Archived from the original on February 1, 2001. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  9. ^ a b c Peter Gerstenzang (October 14, 2011). "Ten Years of Music". Vienna Patch. Retrieved October 25, 2011.
  10. ^ a b Lea Holland (October 1, 2011). "Happy "Tin" Years": 10th Anniversary Celebration for Jammin' Java". ontaponline.com. Archived from the original on April 5, 2012. Retrieved October 25, 2011.
  11. ^ Eric Brace (March 27, 2008). "Live!". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 25, 2011.
  12. ^ a b c Emily Cary (October 12, 2011). "Jammin' Java: A decade of music in Vienna". The Washington Examiner. Retrieved October 25, 2011.[permanent dead link]
  13. ^ Robert Fulton (October 13, 2011). "Take 5 for Oct 14 to 16". The Washington Examiner. Retrieved October 25, 2011.[permanent dead link]
  14. ^ Brace, Eric (December 28, 2001). "Now That I Think About 2001". The Washington Post. p. T5.
  15. ^ Brace, Eric (March 1, 2002). "Jammin' Java's New Blend". The Washington Post. p. B5.
  16. ^ Crstal Lynn Huntoon (October 13, 2011). "Jammin' Java Celebrates 10th Year". Encore Celebrity Access. Retrieved October 25, 2011.
  17. ^ a b "Jammin' Java about". jamminjava.com. Archived from the original on October 31, 2011. Retrieved October 25, 2011.
  18. ^ "The Music School about". themusicschoolonline.com. Archived from the original on August 31, 2011. Retrieved October 25, 2011.
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