Piano, bass guitar and drums. Those ingredients can turn the most mundane scene into something cool. And if there’s one word to describe the vibe at Maxan Jazz, Las Vegas’ newest off-Strip jazz club, cool would be it.
Venue owners Max and Angie Wirjo
The spot opened its doors in June at the corner of Decatur Boulevard and Flamingo Road, in a space formerly occupied by a Thai restaurant. While the surrounding strip mall might seem modest and dated—embellished with retro glass blocks and protruding solarium storefronts reminiscent of the ’90s—Maxan’s nightly lineup and complete interior overhaul have breathed new life and an air of sophistication into the place.
The other important ingredient for Maxan’s brand? Upscale sushi.
“I travel all over the world and … I always go to the jazz club(s) in Rome, Paris … Sydney and Melbourne,” Maxan owner Max Wirjo says. “And I always found the same thing—the food is terrible! It’s not up to par with the quality of the musician.”
In sushi, Wirjo saw a fix that was not only delicious and trendy but also appropriate for the setting. Tacit chopsticks replace the noisy scraping of silverware on plates found in other supper clubs. Expertly prepared sashimi and rolls; specialty dishes like uni pasta and miso black cod; and cocktails keep guests satisfied through hours of performance.
Yet even above the food and beverage service, the jazz atmosphere remains top priority.
“I have a sushi restaurant, but you don’t see a sushi case. … not everybody likes to see raw fish,” he explains. “I have some musicians calling, asking to play here. I think they appreciate it … It’s not like being put in a corner at a restaurant. It’s being respected as a musician and performing.”
Wirjo, a retired doctor and 10-year on-and-off resident of Las Vegas, says his “passion” has always been music, specifically jazz. After opening his first club, Max Jazz, in his native country of Indonesia, and learning through “trial and error,” he has secured top-notch local talent cycling in his Vegas calendar.
“I’m not playing just straight, old jazz,” says Wirjo, who runs the club with help from his wife, Angie. “I have some young people, some innovative things. Sometimes they may not work out, but you’ve got to give it a try.”
The musicians seem to agree with the philosophy, evidence by Skye Dee Miles’ jazz rendition of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” recently performed at the club; or the magical combination of cello virtuoso Mariko Muranaka joining the Jason Corpuz Trio.
Maxan Jazz’s Hot Mama roll
Guided by the gentle glow of modern-style chandeliers and floor lights, a knowledgeable and courteous staff minimizes distractions during the performance by standing at the back of the room and visiting tables between sets or when guests signal for assistance.
The restaurant can accommodate more than 80 guests—but not all seats are created equal. “You can always tell who the real music lovers are,” Wirjo says. “They sit in the front.”
MAXAN JAZZ 4130 S. Decatur Blvd., 702-485-3926, maxanjazz.com. Nightly, 6-11 p.m.
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