Chapter 27

Indigo Blue 1

Isaac glanced around at the newly renovated Club Indigo, the soft crooning of a saxophone playing on a record player. No longer a worn down music club, the establishment was now a testament to jazz, soul, and R&B. It was a hard fought battle though. His grandfather's hoard of memorabilia was poorly kept. Signed records worth thousands were damaged by cellar mice nibbling on corners. Instruments with an inch thick layer of dust were crammed in every nook and crevice of the basement. Still he did not lose hope.

He applied for the club to be declared a historical landmark. It was certainly older than 50 years, his grandfather hadn't had the money to change any of the original fixtures, and the property certainly was associated with the most famous of musicians. The grandson took a loan out in his own name to fix some cracking floors and to keep the lights on a little longer. If he could get a few people a week to see his grandfather's pride and joy, the newly dedicated Sam Brown Blues Museum could remain open.

He should have been a better grandson to the man that practically raised him. His parents couldn't take care of him, so they foisted him on Sam Brown instead. His grandmother left her husband due to his obsession with the club. She probably hated that Isaac had been sucked into the black hole now, but Grandmother had never been there when the club reverberated with the beat of a swinging jazz band or dead silent at a lamenting blues piece. That music was a magic that gripped your heart and never let you forget it.

Isaac hoped he can give others that same feeling.

The young man placed a few eye catching pieces high on the walls of the building. He asked B.B. King, Dr. John, and Al Hirt to re-sign some of their records.

"Of course we'll do it, Isaac, no charge. Your grandfather would have wanted to keep the place open."

He was grateful that they still spoke so lovingly of his grandfather. A surprising number of musicians showed up for his funeral. Like the supposed last night at Club Indigo, the somberness of the ceremony was punctuated by humor. Each player claimed to be Sam's favorite.

Everyone knew that Isaac was in truth the old man's favorite. He always spoke of his grandson and loved him with all of his heart.

Al Jarreau clapped Isaac on the back. "Your grandfather would be proud that you would be the one to carry on his legacy but…" he dropped his voice to a whisper, "Don't let that old place stop you from being happy with a family. Sam always regretted that he let your grandmother get away from him."

Isaac nodded solemnly. He reached out to his grandmother after her husband's passing. She came to him after the funeral to bid the man a private farewell. She knew of Sam's love for the blues and music, but she never understood. She voiced her extreme displeasure when she knew Isaac was following in his grandfather's footsteps.

"It's different Grandma. I've crunched the numbers. I know what will work and what won't."

Government subsidies as a historically significant site and donations from the musician's union kept the old building standing. Revenue from the building acting as a museum allowed the establishment to continue as long as there was someone willing to be its caretaker.

And Isaac would be that man.

He hummed an old jazz standard as he fiddled with the sconce that always turned itself upside-down on the wall. Already through word of mouth more and more people were visiting the venue. He already re-started open mic night on Mondays, and he looked forward to hearing the Blues on Tuesday. Still, he sent a little prayer to God and the Countess. The angel had saved the club twice before, a third time wouldn't hurt. Her instructions for Sam to stay put no matter the financial difficulties irked the grandson. Why place such a burden on one man for no significant reason?

A young boy with wide blue eyes walked through the front entrance taking in the artwork and collectables with delight. An older man, his grandfather perhaps, followed sedately behind. The swirl of a saxophone trill escaped through the open door.

"Wow, what a cool place!"

Isaac's mouth dropped open in astonishment. Maybe his grandfather's purpose was not in vain like he thought.