 
Chuckjav
Member
Username: Chuckjav
Post Number: 61
Registered: 09-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 12:43 pm: |    |
I am back-flipping (with a full twist)...experiencing a mondo-serious craving for Baker's jazz and fried catfish combo; anybody else?
Damn!!!!! |
Johnlodge
Member
Username: Johnlodge
Post Number: 2565
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 12:47 pm: | |
I'm down. But I miss Teddy.  |
Chuckjav
Member
Username: Chuckjav
Post Number: 63
Registered: 09-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 12:52 pm: | |
Yes...he left too soon.
Back in '99, my son was with friends at Baker's...in-walks Aretha Franklin!
Damn!! |
Jimg
Member
Username: Jimg
Post Number: 933
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 1:47 pm: | |
Nice to know Teddy Harris Jr. made an impression. I too miss him. Baker's has changed Wed eves from Tad, Don and George to Spencer Barefield. Don and George were Teddy's regular stablemates...
I'll try and make it tonight. |
Johnlodge
Member
Username: Johnlodge
Post Number: 2569
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 1:50 pm: | |
Are Don and George still going to be around? I can't imagine not having them there. I did see them with Tad at Cliff Bell's a few months back. That was a good show (of course, how could it not be). |
Jimg
Member
Username: Jimg
Post Number: 934
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 2:04 pm: | |
Hmmm...doubtful...Don, maybe, because he sometimes works with Spencer.
Next month, don't miss Thurs Oct 4 - the great pianist Claude Black with Will Austin. Claude is on Donald Byrd's first record - playing trombone, lol. He's an amazing pianist, pure bebop, and swings his ass off. Will was in Yusef Lateef's band at Klein's Show Bar. |
Johnlodge
Member
Username: Johnlodge
Post Number: 2572
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 2:05 pm: | |
Does this mean no more open jam nights at all? Those were the nights I enjoyed the most. Or is Spencer hosting the jam night now? |
Jimg
Member
Username: Jimg
Post Number: 935
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 2:18 pm: | |
Yeah, A. Spencer is hosting the jam session. |
Johnlodge
Member
Username: Johnlodge
Post Number: 2573
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 2:26 pm: | |
Ah ok, excellent. Thanks Jimg. |
Viziondetroit
Member
Username: Viziondetroit
Post Number: 1107
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 3:59 pm: | |
I just went with m girlfriend last week... can't beat the price. 2 catfish dinners, mac n cheese and fries... $25. Atmosphere is classic |
Harpernottingham
Member
Username: Harpernottingham
Post Number: 265
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 4:11 pm: | |
I like Baker's, but man, it's in dire need of a makeover. |
Terryh
Member
Username: Terryh
Post Number: 536
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 8:04 pm: | |
The doormen dont have the best social skills. I walked in one night several months back and asked if the restaurant was open, when I found out it was open I said I was going to get my ladyfriend and on the way out I stopped to look at the pics when I heard a racist conversation about me and my girlfriend. Something to the extent that I was" too comfortable how I asked that question and how much you want to bet his girlfriend isnt the same color as him and you dont want to see that"!On another occasion the same guys were standing there when I walked in late in the evening and asked if there was still cover when one of the guys said no with a blank stupid look like why are you even here. Both occasions I chose not to stay. I have to agree with Harpernottingham the place is somewhat dumpy and not too friendly of any atmosphere with maybe one or too exceptions on two visits several years back. |
Jimg
Member
Username: Jimg
Post Number: 936
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 10:14 pm: | |
I'm sorry you've had negative experiences at Baker's, Terryh.
Hmmmm....I frequent the joint, know many of the employees and I've never felt a draft on any occasion over thirty-plus years . John Colbert wouldn't put up with any nonsense such as you're describing. He isn't there 24/7, but his son and other 'doormen' are unlikely to have caused you that problem. I'd be happy to meet you there, Terryh, and introduce you around if you like.
I don't understand why anyone would want to 'remake' Baker's appearance...it's a genuwine piece of Detroit history, a jazz lounge. It looks 'dumpy'? Not flashy enough? I don't get it... |
English
Member
Username: English
Post Number: 578
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 20, 2007 - 12:06 am: | |
Terryh, I also had a very negative experience @ Baker's with the doorman back during the summer of 2002. I was entertaining an out-of-town friend who was a musician in Chicago and talked up Baker's a lot. I loved the food, the music, and the atmosphere. I couldn't wait for the evening out and planned carefully for it.
First, we were harassed at the door. I had been going to Baker's (mainly for dinner after work) since I turned 21, and I was 25 at the time of the incident. My friend was 22. The person at the door insisted that our IDs were false, and made a huge deal of it. Finally, we were let in, but the person at the door kept "monitoring us" and before the music began, talked about us to people whom I guess were regulars. Then there was the liquor issue. My friend doesn't drink, and I was the native/designated driver so I couldn't do very much.
After we finished dessert and the one drink I could handle and still drive, we were told we had to leave. I tried to speak with management but was refused. I was extremely upset, and wrote the Metro Times & the Freep, only got 1 email back from W. Kim Heron who said he'd check on it. Haven't darkened their door since.
Incidentally, last year my sorority chapter was looking for a venue for an event. Baker's was tops on the list until I said that they could have it there, but I would not attend. We've used other locations since.
I don't speak against it offline, and respect the heck out of the history of the place. I loved going there after teaching from 1999-2001. However, after that crappy experience and having my friend's impression of a Detroit icon ruined, I will never go there again. I was hoping my story was an isolated one, and perhaps maybe it was something that me or my friend did inadvertently. But reading Terryh's post makes me angry all over again. |
Viziondetroit
Member
Username: Viziondetroit
Post Number: 1108
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 20, 2007 - 12:15 am: | |
English... what sorority are you in? |
Harpernottingham
Member
Username: Harpernottingham
Post Number: 267
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, September 20, 2007 - 12:51 am: | |
Baker's has a great history and all, but seriously, the place is a dump today, and the food's not so hot either. It seems like they're resting on their laurels over there. "We're Baker's ... we don't have to change."
From the outside, it kinda looks like the county jail.
I'd love to see Baker's modernize a little.
The men's room would be a good place to start. |
Johnlodge
Member
Username: Johnlodge
Post Number: 2593
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 20, 2007 - 9:28 am: | |
I've never had any problems with being harassed at Baker's any of the times I've gone. I usually get dinner and a few drinks. Sorry to here others had bad experiences.
It could be fixed up a little, but I wouldn't get carried away with it. |
Mallory
Member
Username: Mallory
Post Number: 194
Registered: 05-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, September 20, 2007 - 3:28 pm: | |
Sorry to hear some of the negative comments. Haven't been there in years, but do recall going to see Anita Baker when she was a nobody. I think she was with Chapter 8 at the time. Those were the days... |
Fury13
Member
Username: Fury13
Post Number: 2402
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 20, 2007 - 3:32 pm: | |
You don't remodel an icon like Baker's. Clean and polish it up a little, maybe; but keep it essentially as is. |
Terryh
Member
Username: Terryh
Post Number: 537
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, September 20, 2007 - 9:03 pm: | |
Thanks for the invite JiMG. Ill probably take you up on the offer sometime. I thought the food was pretty good (fried chicken with greens and yams?)if I remember correctly.I would be willing to give the place another chance. |
Jimg
Member
Username: Jimg
Post Number: 938
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 20, 2007 - 9:11 pm: | |
I guess when you cycle lines of folks in-and-out every week, mistakes are made.
And, yeah, Baker's could use a little spit and polish...and it was actually remodeled sixty some years ago, the door was originally in the middle not the end.
I just wish they'd replace the Aluminum letters under the sign, and also the parking lot sign. And the piano which Art Tatum picked out is still "in storage" and needs some attention. |