"We wanted people to be able to take The Jazz Corner home with them -- live music on CDs, behind the scenes stories, recipes, jazz history, all of it," said author Martin McFie, who has frequented the club for the past seven years.
McFie approached Masteller about doing a book, deciding that all proceeds should go to the Junior Jazz Foundation, a nonprofit organization started by The Jazz Corner that supports young musicians.
Masteller was sold on going forward with the book once he saw McFie's dedication.
"I could see that there was a real commitment from him," he said. "Once we decided to do it, he got down to businesses."
The Jazz Corner opened about 12 years ago and since has brought in a Who's Who of jazz musicians. Pianist Mose Allison, guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli and Ellis Marsallis, father of Wynton and Branford, all have played the club. On opening night, legendary pianist George Shearing, who played for three presidents, performed to a packed house.
Word of the club has even spread beyond the Lowcountry. Downbeat listed The Jazz Corner as one of its "150 Great Jazz Rooms" worldwide last year.
Masteller, a musician in his own right who frequently steps on stage, also speaks on the history of jazz, particularly the Swing era and earlier. His notes were used as a basis for the history section of the book. To round it out, Masteller and McFie decided to devote a section to the Jazz Corner kitchen, which Masteller said contributes as much to the success of the club as the music.
"It's not just a restaurant. It's not just a jazz club," he said. "You can't have one without the other."
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