Sam Yi: Advocate and Friend to Jazz, the Music and the Musicians

Churchill Grounds Jazz Café, August 2016

Sam Yi, “the guiding light of jazz in Atlanta” who ran the Churchill Grounds jazz club in Midtown for two decades, passed away on February 3. “His steadfast promotion of jazz music helped artists maintain a sense of belonging and provided listeners with a spot to hear the latest talent, among shifting venues and interest,” noted the website ArtsATL upon his passing.

Sam was known throughout the jazz community, and particularly among Atlanta jazz musicians and fans for his full-throttle support of the genre. Anyone who played jazz in Atlanta, and many from throughout the country and around the world, wanted to play there, and Sam gave virtually all of us a chance. His commitment to jazz and his advocacy for jazz musicians earned him respect beyond the jazz community, as evidenced by the declaration from the Atlanta City Council marking July 31, 2016, just before the club closed, as Churchill Grounds Café Day. 

Sam continued to provide venues for jazz around Atlanta at various locations, and despite his failing health was working toward establishing a new permanent spot for a jazz club in East Atlanta Village.

Our Music Life and Times podcast, Episode 57, features comments on Sam and his commitment to jazz from friends and musicians, just a handful of the many whose lives he blessed. Podcast participants include pianist and my podcast partner Kevin Bales, trumpeter and educator Gordon Vernick, saxophonist David Sanchéz, and Sam’s longtime close friend John Hammond. Their memories of a loyal advocate and friend—and stellar human being—are here to enjoy.