Club 1881, a jazz club and Pasadena’s oldest continuously running cocktail bar, will host a jazz fundraiser on Monday, March 24, from 6 p.m. to midnight to benefit staff and musicians affected by the recent Eaton Fire.
The Club sits near Pasadena’s northern border with Altadena, at 1881 E Washington Boulevard, just east of Allen Avenue.
The club’s proprietors, Gail and Judah Casburn, are among the fire victims, having lost their Altadena home of more than 36 years.
Other affected staff and musicians who regularly work and perform at 1881 include bartender Owen Casburn, drummer Joel Taylor, pianist Quinn Johnson, saxophonist Chuck Manning, and Chloe Hawkins and families.
The Casburns took over the club in 2017. Throughout the Covid pandemic, they received donations through their businesses, Club 1881 and the Altadena Ale & Wine House, which they used to distribute food and essentials to those affected by business closures. They have also reportedly donated to Altadena schools and individuals, the Altadena Mountain Rescue Team, and the Rotary Club, among their many donations over the years.
The fundraiser, dubbed “A Night of Jazz,” will feature live jazz performances led by drummers Jimmy Branly and Joel Taylor, who regularly perform to capacity crowds every Wednesday and Friday. Also performing will be pianist Quinn Johnson, saxophonist Chuck Manning, and bassist Mike Gurrola, along with special guests including many jazz luminaries who have performed at 1881 over the years.
Since the Eaton Fire, the Casburns have sponsored numerous community events at their club to raise funds. They raised funds and providing 200 solar-powered generators and 200 heaters for fire victims. Their community service earned them the Business of the Year award from the Altadena Chamber of Commerce in 2023.
The Casburns’ second business, Altadena Ale & Wine House, 2329 Fair Oaks Ave., was severely affected by the fire and has been closed for remediation, but is scheduled to reopen on Saturday, March 22.
