Catalina Jazz Club staff members are out of work temporarily as they await state and local health orders to be lifted, but hope to welcome audiences back soon. (photo courtesy of Catalina Jazz Club)

The Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood has provided an intimate setting for audiences to hear icons of jazz such as Dizzy Gillespie, Thelma Houston, Corky Hale and Chick Corea for 34 years.

But as the legendary Sunset Boulevard jazz club struggles to stay in business during the coronavirus pandemic, the Catalina Jazz Club’s staff has organized a “digital tip jar” on GoFundMe to help make ends meet.

“In times of crisis when we feel broken, hopeless and alone, we turn to music,” club founder and owner Catalina Popescu said in a statement. “Music is an elixir for the soul and that is precisely why Catalina Jazz Club has been devoted to bringing L.A. the finest in live musical entertainment for the past 34 years. When it is once again safe to gather in public, we are looking forward to welcoming back the finest jazz legends, the most soulful savants and the best of Broadway royalty. Together with our loyal audiences, we will repaint the town.”

Throughout its history, the Catalina Jazz Club has showcased Broadway, soul, Latin jazz, and rhythm and blues musical artists from across the show business spectrum, with occasional performances by stand-up comedy stars rounding out the bill. The club has served as a haven for jazz artists such as Art Blakey, McCoy Tyner, Ray Brown, Joe Williams, Max Roach, Carmen McRae, Betty Carter, Ron Carter, Joe Henderson, Tony Williams and many others. Even Wonder Woman actress Lynda Carter has graced the stage.

On March 14, the club had to temporarily close its doors, and since then has awaited the day state and local government officials end restrictions, allowing it to welcome performers and audiences back while adhering to proper health and safety regulations.

The club’s financial obligations such as paying rent, insurance and salaries have continued to mount, and the money raised from the GoFundMe page will go directly toward financial needs. “We pay about $30,000 in rent,” Catalina Jazz Club Manager Manny Ciora said. “We need to pay five months’ worth of rent.”

The club is trying to raise $100,000, and so far has reached half of the goal – $55,724 – through contributions by musicians, family and friends. Popescu said a priority is keeping the club’s personnel employed and paid, and she is grateful for all the community support.

“I know people are gracious, but the words they’ve shared are heartwarming,” Popescu said, adding that it’s the memories and experiences with exceptional musicians that give life to the club.

“Everybody has good memories and they want to see it go on,” Popescu said. “Some people have shared how they met at the club, how they married and brought their kids to the club. People come, enjoy the club and music, and they forget about all their problems.”

Chris Isaacson, an independent event producer in Los Angeles and who has organized shows at the Catalina Jazz Club within the last 10 years for contemporary performers such as Drag Queen Trixie Mattel, said it is important to contribute to the club’s GoFundMe account. The last few months have been devastating for the venue as normally, from March to July, it is booked Monday through Sunday, Isaacson said. That is a lot of concerts, food sales, wine sales, ticket sales and overall a lot of revenue that has been lost, he added.

When the club reopens, there will be significant changes such as plexiglass partitions; performers and clients wearing face shields, masks or coverings; and tables set 8 to 10 feet apart. The club will operate at approximately 50% of occupancy. Isaacson, who is also in charge of organizing the GoFundMe account, said they’ll be ready no matter what, and the Catalina Jazz Club will continue to host intimate music performances.

“Catalina is going to happen with everybody’s help,” Isaacson said. “It’s a very loved venue. If we can get the donations in and help it survive this little bump in the road – for all of us, it’s going to be great. We’ll be celebrating the 35th anniversary pretty soon, but we need some help from the community to get there.”

For information, visit gofundme.com/savecatalinajazzclub.