The SideDoor Opens to a Standing Ovation in Old Lyme

It was standing room only at the opening night of Old Lyme Inn's jazz club, The SideDoor on May 11, and not just because the room was full. 

The talented group of musicians jazz maestro George Wein had assembled for the gala event brought the crowd to its feet for standing ovation after standing ovation.  

For avid jazz fan and club owner Kenneth Kitchings, it was a dream come true. Following a champagne toast and ribbon cutting ceremony, the newest jazz venue opened with the 86-year-old Wein leading the Newport All-Stars in an awesome set of jazz that wowed the sold-out crowd.

The SideDoor Manager Jan Mullen said that it was "bittersweet" that the club was so packed on opening night that they had to turn people away. But those same people came back again on Saturday to be treated to an outstanding performance by jazz guitarist Mimi Fox. 

"I'm just thrilled it's here," said Liddy Karter, who splits her time between Old Lyme and New York City. "The acoustics are incredible; the acts first class. I love it." 

The new venue got a big thumbs' up from the musicians too. "The room sounds great and the people are great," said bassist Mike Assetta, who performed with Fox on Saturday. That's music to Kitchings' ears.

He said that, given Old Lyme Inn's location right off I-95, he hopes that The SideDoor will become a regular stop for musicians en route to gigs from New York to Boston and Newport. He'll give them a room at the Inn, he said, and they can use the club as a place to practice too. 

"My passion is jazz music. My goal is to make this a jazz location and jazz musicians don't have many places to play anymore," said Kitchings, who has long been involved in organizing musical events at the Garde Arts Center in New London. "We've had a ball here."  

Although no more gigs are scheduled for a couple of weeks, Mullen says she has a lot of big plans for the club. A veteran band manager for some big names in music in the 1980s and 1990s, Mullen is keen to keep the momentum going. In the meantime, the room is available for private parties. Find out more at the Old Lyme Inn's website.