UPDATED: Cold Fusion disappoints jazz scene, loses crowd

Word to the wise: You want musicians on your side.

DENTON — Four months ago, I reported that irony was officially dead in Denton thanks to the opening of an actual jazz club in the heart of the jazz-infested city. We'd gone years without an exclusive joint for our swarm of jazz musicians to gig (aside from the twice weekly Jazz Nights at the infamous and beloved GreenHouse). In August, we all had high hopes for Cold Fusion. We all went to Cold Fusion on any number of the six-nights o' music they offered. We watched as legends such as Bernard Wright and Pops Carter filled the hookah lounge with music enthusiasts and had plenty a good hang. Everyone was on board for $3 Anchorsteams and great jazz, but now everyone is gone.

I popped by this weekend to check in on things after hearing several accounts of trusted (and popular) musicians frustrated by consistent scheduling issues. I found four people at the bar, two of whom were employees. It was a bleak and depressing picture. After three months of booking discrepancies, musicians had enough. The very base by which the success of this club has been alienated in the rush of disorganization leaves a sad, empty space where the who's who of North Texas Jazz partied not three weeks ago.

All is not lost just yet. There exists a small but distinct window of opportunity for the little club that could. "I have no hard feelings towards Cold Fusion," musician and booking agent Graham Richards told us. "I wish him all the best. I enjoy going to the venue, and I enjoy playing there." Richards added that he began losing interest when two consecutive gigs fell through at the last minute due to double-booking, and the Richards Brothers regular bi-weekly gig disappeared for over a month, only to resurface without notice one week in October.

"I have never taken an active stand against Cold Fusion the way I have against clubs who have actually, willfully done me wrong," Richards said. "I just made a personal decision that I was not interested in dealing with scheduling issues. If someone called and said, 'Hey Graham, wanna play at Cold Fusion tonight?' I would do it if the band was cookin'. Consecutive last-minute cancellations taught me not to put faith in an upcoming gig, and I don't have time for that."

In the meantime, the incredible sound system so intricately installed this summer is now used only a few nights a week. Students and enthusiasts have retreated to the GreenHouse, while Cold Fusion's death rattle sends chills across the Square. My heart sank at the sight. It is like losing Gezellig all over again. Cold Fusion is still breathing, but barely. Unfortunately, they have lost the trust of their greatest supporters and patrons.

On the bright side, hookahs are now only $10, instead of $15.