{image1}In New York City, jazz musicians have The Blue Note, and in Philadelphia, they have the Zanzibar Blue. Soon, Milwaukee jazz performers will have Panache to call home, and jazz greats from around the globe will have a new venue.

Panache opens in the old Red Mill East, 4034 W. Good Hope Rd., Nov. 12, and owners Erin Hackney and Daniel Vaughn can't wait.

"Our goal is to bring fine dining and fine music under one roof. We want to not only provide a stage, but a true jazz home and a true jazz supper club," says Hackney.

The bi-level bar and restaurant will offer upscale dining on the main floor with a menu featuring moderately priced seafood and pasta. Upstairs, live entertainment and a full bar will flow every day.

On Mondays, spoken word artists will rally for an open mic set to jazz music (Vaughn is a nationally recognized spoken word artist), and Tuesdays will promote "Club Classroom," a partnership between Panache and the Milwaukee Conservatory of Music.

"We plan to give away nine scholarships to young, up-and-coming jazz musicians who couldn't otherwise afford the Conservatory," says Hackney.

Nine students who attend the Tuesday night jams and show the most interest and talent will be awarded the scholarships. Plus, all teen jazz musicians that participate will have the opportunity to sit in with a respected jazz musician like Berkeley Fudge.

"Network Wednesdays" provide a place for companies to spend time together outside of work while networking with other professionals. Vaughn and Hackney both worked on the executive level for Metavante before opening Panache and have a commitment to making their club a place for business and pleasure to easily intertwine.

"I spent eight years traveling and taking clients out to nice restaurants. During that time, I realized what Milwaukee really needs: a place to eat and entertain clients that's not downtown," says Hackney. "A place where parking isn't an issue and where you can stay in one place to eat a great meal and catch some quality music."

Since both Vaughn and Hackney live on the North Side, they thought it would be the ideal place to open their club.

"The North Side needs something like this," says Hackney.

Thursday nights will feature what the duo calls neo-soul, which encompasses the styles of music made popular by Sade and Erykah Badu.

Fridays and Saturdays will feature big names in all corners of the jazz world from Latin to straight-ahead to smooth. Gerald Albright and Jeff Lorber, from the latter category, are already booked, and Vaughn says he has more than 20 demos from local bands.

Reservations are required for Friday and Saturday night dinners and entertainment.

"This isn't the kind of place you stand at the door and pull crumpled bills out of your pocket," says Hackney.

Prices for the entertainment will range from $5 to $25, depending on the musician.

Saturday and Sunday during the day will offer a brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays will be a blues brunch, and Sundays will be an inspirational jazz gospel brunch.

In summer 2005, Panache will host an outdoor music series in its large outdoor amphitheatre, similar to the Red Mill East's series.

Although the owners are only 31, they see their club as a destination for people between the ages of 40 and 80.

"I'm sure there will be some youngsters, but we're staying away from the hip hop crowd. Not that we don't like hip hop, we just want to do something different. Something with a little more panache."

For more information call (414) 228-0444.