Since 1952 located in a basement grotto on Kleine Bockenheimer Strasse 18a (in the heart of the city, near Goethestrasse) JAZZKELLER Frankfurt has played host to most of the world's greatest jazz musicians over the past forty-seven years.
Memories of many unforgetable events are forever captured in the JAZZKELLER`s red brick walls... Johnny Hodges drew his own beer from our tap. Louis Armstrong spilled red wine all over his tuxedo, trying to maneuver through the crowd. Dizzy Gillespie had some difficulty blowing his horn after we provided too many complimentary drinks (sometimes we are too hospitable!) - and on another truly memorable evening Lionel Hampton played "four hand" piano with German jazz pianist Jutta Hipp.
Roy Eldridge, Gerry Mulligan, Percy Heath, even Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra (with his bodyguard of course) came to the JAZZKELLER and electrified the air. While a soldier in the US-Army (Frankfurt), Eddie Harris was swingin' and boppin' many nights after duty hours...
Just some of the magic memories of the JAZZKELLER's legendary history during the "Fabulous Fifties". Many of the great names in jazz kept coming back: Eddie Harris, in his early sixties, performed here twice a year, as our "commercial guest", playing Funk and Rockjazz on his electric saxophone.
The late Chet Baker gave one of his last concerts on our stage; Dizzy Gillespie reminisced with the audience about the past when he came to perform in December 1988. The JAZZKELLER is still THE place for live jazz in Germany, it is Frankfurt's "Village Vanguard".
Throughout the year you can see, feel and hear some of the world's greatest in jazz, up close, in a relaxed "jazzy" atmosphere. Archie Shepp, Flora Purim, Paquito DÕRivera, Ray Brown, Lou Donaldson and Clark Terry are just some of our more recent artists. In addition to top names in jazz, many excellent local jazz musicians perform here as well. On nights without a live act we are a "late night" pub, entertaining our guests with recordings from our extensive jazz library or sessions. Sometimes people even dance.