Sue Lowden

‘Take Five’ With Vic’s Jazz Club Owner Sue Lowden

BY STACEY GUALANDI

The neon cowboy Vegas Vic first waved his iconic thumb high above downtown Las Vegas over 70 years ago.

Thanks to the legendary Lowden family, Vic still gives his signature thumbs up to a jazz lounge bearing his name.

Two years ago, Vic’s brought a unique sound to Symphony Park in downtown’s cultural epicenter: a vibey lounge and dining room for live jazz and blues entertainment over tasty Italian dishes.

Sue Lowden couldn’t be more jazzed.

Nearly 50 years after arriving in Las Vegas, falling in love with acclaimed jazz musician Paul Lowden, raising four children and becoming a beloved TV personality (she was one of the first women in Nevada to co-anchor the evening news), Lowden has set the stage for a permanent home on the local jazz scene.

The Lowdens—who have opened more than 25 restaurants—had been looking for a live jazz nightclub for several years when the City of Las Vegas, which was looking for something different, introduced them to the Symphony Park space. “We produce jazz albums,” Paul Lowden IV says. “Our father is a musician, a good one. I thought it might be cool to do something my parents could hold court in.”

Lowden is a fine dining foodie and jazz music junkie, so Vic’s has literally become an extension of her passions.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Humanitarian of the Year couldn’t be more proud that jazz music students at the Las Vegas Academy perform nightly at Vic’s while also performing down the street at the Las Vegas Academy Lowden Theater.

“We want people to feel at home and comfortable at Vic’s while having a great evening out,” she says. “Most of our employees have been here since day one, and everyone at the bar knows everyone else. We’re thrilled with Vic’s food, atmosphere and entertainment. We invite everyone to check it out.”

Lowden greets old friends and new customers on any night at Vic’s. She’s one busy restauranteur, but she did take time out to “take five” with Chic Compass.

Chic Compass: Since last we spoke soon after the launch, would you say Vic’s has exceeded your goals and expectations?

Sue Lowden: Vic’s has gotten into the “groove” of the downtown Symphony Park scene. The restaurant has an ebb and flow of clientele, depending on shows at The Smith Center and World Market Center activities. Jazz has its own audience, and we have found that “book it and they will come” holds true. There’s a hardcore jazz following in Las Vegas, and once word got out that Vic’s was serious about featuring jazz musicians and artists, “jazzbos” took us seriously. Of course, there’s a component of excellent service and ambiance. We’re fortunate to have a superb chef, Miguel Magana, and our manager, Scott Schmalfeldt, who work tirelessly to make everything run smoothly.

Chic Compass: How much is Vic’s a reflection of you as an owner, a Las Vegas personality, a jazz music producer/lover, etc.? What influence have you particularly had on the restaurant’s success so far?

Sue Lowden: Everything about Vic’s is very personal. That includes family and personal photos in the lounge and paintings featured in the main dining room and private dining area. Our sons, Chris and Paul Lowden IV, took months to create what has turned into our jazz club, Vic’s. Paul IV received his first gaming license for the bar top slot machines in the main bar. My husband Paul and I hire and approve all the jazz artists and musicians. We’ve been jazz fans for years and have developed friendships with many of the artists we book. Occasionally, I’m on stage to welcome guests and introduce the talent about to perform. Our new venture is a family affair in all aspects of business. We’re also proud to work with Opportunity Village, a longtime Las Vegas nonprofit that trains mentally challenged young people. We hired graduates of the program to become part of our Vic’s family.

Chic Compass: What expected or unexpected effect has Vic’s had in that downtown space?

Sue Lowden: Vic’s has been a stand-alone retail business for almost two years. Symphony Park is about to explode with additional apartments, two new hotels and condos, more restaurants and new retail space. We welcome our new neighbors with open arms. Symphony Park is a beautiful place to live, work, play and dine.

Chic Compass: There is no quit in you! What else is motivating you right now?

Sue Lowden: I enjoy discovering new talent and featuring jazz artists never seen or heard in Las Vegas. For example, we have Grammy Award-winning jazz artist Nicole Zuraitis performing at Vic’s in October. We had been working on booking her for months, and then, when she won the Grammy, her schedule became crazy busy, so we’re looking forward to featuring her and her band. We also enjoy welcoming our own Grammy Award-winning Las Vegas Academy jazz students to perform here every night. The young musicians are part of a paid internship with Vic’s under the direction of Patrick Bowen, the longtime head of LVA’s World Jazz Studies program.

Chic Compass: Do you have any future plans or announcements you want to share? Has Vegas Vic settled into his new home and is ready to expand?

Sue Lowden: We have endless ideas for Vic’s future. Chris is putting together a CD of live Vic’s performances featuring Benny Benack, Jeff Hamilton, Tamir Hendelman, Ken Peplowski, and so many others. Our sound recording system was part of our original installation plan. We worked with the same sound experts from Dizzy’s Club in New York City, and we’re delighted to have a state-of-the-art audio setup that enables us to record live.

We look forward to partnering with Michael Lazaroff, CEO of Jazz Cruises, LLC, to bring artists from his renowned jazz cruises here to perform. Beginning in December, we’ll initiate “Third Wednesdays at Vic’s,” featuring many jazz cruise artists.

We’re also teaming up with the nonprofit Jazz House Kids to raise funds for young musicians who need instruction and instruments. Christian McBride and his good friends Benny Green and Lewis Nash will host our first benefit for Jazz House Kids in the spring. The Christian McBride event will be a big success with the help of the Las Vegas Jazz Society and our loyal jazz customers. Our family is very excited and optimistic about the future of jazz in Las Vegas and Vic’s jazz club.

Vic’s Las Vegas
355 Promenade Place
Las Vegas, NV 89106
725.755.5299
www.vicslasvegas.com

Lunch: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Dinner: 4 p.m.-10 p.m.
Bar/Lounge: 10 a.m.-1 a.m.
Gaming: 10 a.m.-1 a.m.
Happy Hour: 2 p.m.-5 p.m.
(Inside the bar area)