Jazz Musician Rodney Green To Open Live Music Venue In Teaneck

TEANECK, NJ — Rodney Green, who has worked full time in the jazz scene for over 20 years and gigged with come of the music genre's greatest artists, such as Herbie Hancock and Charles Haden, is now launching a food, cocktail and live music lounge at 482 Cedar Lane in Teaneck.

Green got the idea to start his own venue, when he realized that, in renting out clubs to perform at over the years, he'd only make a percentage of ticket sales, and none of the proceeds from the sale or service of food or liquor.

He looked into how to start and manage his own venue, what qualifications he would need, and a year later, here he is, with plans to build his own 2,400-square-foot facility.

"Everything I've ever done, I have gotten in on the ground floor," Green told Patch, adding that though he has had some "growing pains" during the learning transition, he was focused on "getting it done."

Plans are in the works to tear out the old building, which was previously occupied by Shelly's, a Kosher restaurant, to allow for the new venue, which, is tentatively scheduled to open in the fall, and will host live music and offer a youth musical education program.

A Bergen County resident, Green said that he wants his venue to help create a "cultural center" for Bergen County in Teaneck, which, he said, is a highly trafficked area, even though a lot of businesses have left in recent years.

"I want the venue to serve as a glue in the community for those who will work with us," he said.

What is most exciting for Green, and also scary, however, is that, for the first time, he will have a more front-facing position in opening the venue, even though he has made a career of working behind the scenes.

"I reveled in my behind-the-scenes role," Green said, " so this is a little uncomfortable for me. People now stop by my office or honk their horns at me when I'm walking down the street. I'm not used to that."

Nevertheless, he is looking forward to opening his own venue, shining a light on under-appreciated jazz artists, and supporting young, talented musicians, he said.