Williamsburg Music Center is a nonprofit jazz club tucked into the corner of Bedford Avenue and South 5th Street in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Founded in 1981 by bassist, composer, and bandleader Gerry Eastman, it holds the distinction of being Brooklyn’s only Black-owned and operated nonprofit jazz institution, and the only New York City venue of its kind to pair live performance with classes and workshops in jazz history and technique.
Eastman, who has performed and recorded alongside artists such as Sarah Vaughan, Count Basie, Etta Jones, and the Isley Brothers, opened the center during a difficult era for Williamsburg, aiming to give musicians of color a dedicated stage and to honor the African musical diaspora. More than four decades later, the intimate club still runs on that same mission, filling its small room with jazz, soul, and gospel-tinged sounds most weekends.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: 367 Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY 11211
- Type: Nonprofit jazz club
- Opened: 1981
- Founder: Gerry Eastman
- Capacity: About 100 (60 auditorium seats, 40 lounge)
- Famous for: Brooklyn’s only Black-owned, nonprofit jazz institution
A Stage Built on Jazz History
Gerry Eastman established Williamsburg Music Center as a performance space and teaching hub rolled into one, offering classes and workshops in jazz history and performance that remain rare among New York City clubs. The center has welcomed hundreds of bands over the decades, with musicians drawn in by its reputation as a musician-run room built specifically to showcase jazz, soul, and gospel-rooted artistry from the community it serves.
The Live Music Experience
The club typically books live sets Thursday through Saturday nights, mixing curated artist performances with community jam sessions that bring players from across the city onto the same small stage. The intimate room is outfitted with a baby grand piano, guitars, acoustic and electric basses, drums, and an electric organ, giving visiting musicians a full backline and giving audiences a close-up, acoustically tuned listening experience rarely found in larger venues.
Explore more: Explore more iconic music venues.
Williamsburg Music Center FAQs
Where is Williamsburg Music Center located?
It sits at 367 Bedford Avenue, on the corner of Bedford Avenue and South 5th Street, in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York.
Who founded Williamsburg Music Center?
Bassist and composer Gerry Eastman founded the venue in 1981 as a nonprofit space dedicated to jazz performance and education.
What makes Williamsburg Music Center unique?
It is Brooklyn’s only Black-owned and operated nonprofit jazz institution, and the only New York City venue that combines live jazz performance with classes and workshops in jazz history.
Get More from Williamsburg Music Center
Log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate Williamsburg Music Center, and see what your friends thought. Get the ThrillZing app.
Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.