The Terence Hazly Quartet helps Akron ring in 2007 a few days early at tonight’s Jazz Poetic outing. The pre-New Year’s Eve party also marks a musical revival in the city’s Historic District, where jazz once ruled the nightclubs. “There was a surge in the ’30s, ’40s, and ’50s that set a nice tone for the area,” says Jakob Ward, founder of the monthly gathering and owner of DreamState Records. “Recently, there’s been lots of combining interests to create another hip jazz scene. This is a new center for our art-jazz focal point in the city.”

To help spread the renaissance, the live jazz sessions rotate between two area clubs — Crave and Musica on Maiden Lane. Performers like Amy Staats, Vince Tyree, and trombonist Hazly’s quartet and New Direction Jazz Quintet are slated to perform at upcoming shows. DreamState’s new recording studio is even located next to Musica. “It’s been a great year for jazz, the area, and for Akron,” says Ward. “This party keeps the spirit alive, and we’re going to try and celebrate it.”
Thu., Dec. 28, 7 p.m.

This article appears in Dec 27, 2006 – Jan 2, 2007.