Jazz pianist Jeff Haas finds another musical home in Leelanau

By Ross Boissoneau

Sun contributor

For years, Traverse City pianist Jeff Haas performed in Leelanau County in various locations. Most recently, he played on Wednesdays at the Folded Leaf in Cedar, until the untimely closure of the bookstore and listening room.

When the Folded Leaf was forced to close its doors before changing gears and reappearing in Traverse City, Haas had to find another home. First up was Leelanau Steakhouse, the former home of Nittolo’s and before that, Bella Fortuna. Owner Roger Colburn was encouraging, and Haas was excited about the possibilities there. Unfortunately, due to staffing issues, Colburn opted to close the restaurant before the weekly music began.

It wasn’t long after that a chance encounter led to Haas returning to an old home, albeit one with a new name. Beginning Sept. 2, he will be playing Wednesday nights at Faro in Northport from 6-8 pm. “I bumped into Eric Allchin (Faro owner). He said, ‘How’s it going with Leelanau Steakhouse?’ I told him it wasn’t. He asked, ‘Do you want to come here?’

“I said, ‘If you can make room for a piano,’ and he agreed,” says Haas.

For his part, Allchin said it was a no-brainer. “I’m excited to get him back in here. Jeff and I have history. He was here before me in this space.”

Haas’s history extends back to before Allchin, when he performed there when it was Lelu Café. That was before it became The Union, where Allchin continued to enlist Haas. “I have a history in Northport,” Haas says, noting he continues to have people asking him when he’ll be playing jazz there again.

The answer is soon, though it’s admittedly taken a while. The Union was run as an event space. When Allchin decided to make it into a full-fledged restaurant, he had to make some changes, including installing a complete kitchen and reworking the space. Live music was a casualty while it was closed and it wasn’t until after being open a couple years he was comfortable with reintegrating live music into the mix.

“I had to focus on the operation and went on hiatus with Jeff,” says Allchin. “When we got settled in with the concept, then we reworked music back in.”

It seems that the concept is now ready. Allchin has established a reputation in Northport and beyond for his pizza, pasta and bread and use of fresh ingredients.

“We make our pasta in-house from Farm Club semolina. Loma is one of the main farms,” Allchin says. “We’re known for our chicken Parmesan, kale Caesar and specialty pizzas. It’s an expansive menu. We use what the seasons bring us.”

He says that while there was not a plan to enlist Haas right away, he always had it in the back of his mind, even though bringing in a piano and band means less room for patrons. “We discussed and planned it. The value he brings, I was willing to sacrifice a table or two,” Allchin says.

“In Northport there are tons of artists, musicians, creatives. People know Jeff Haas and we wanted to bring it back. We don’t charge for shows. It’s a gift. You can come in for music or food and music.”

During his tenure at the Folded Leaf, Haas’s weekly shows alternated between his trio with Bruce Dondero and Will Harris and his band Big Fun Acoustic, the jazzgrass unit that includes Harris, Don Julin, Joe Wilson and Jack Dryden. That’s the plan for Faro as well.

What about the late, lamented Tribune? Allchin recognizes the fact many people miss the Tribune, but has no plans to reopen. “I outgrew the space. I ran both, but there was not enough staff. I stepped away.”

Back in Lake Leelanau, Colburn says he hopes to revisit the possibility of featuring Haas in the side room of his restaurant next year. He is unsure under what aegis a restaurant would operate or who would operate it, whether it remains his property with new management or he sells the building. But he’s hopeful it will return to operation in 2027.

Bringing Haas back may not be entirely Colburn’s choice. Allchin says Haas will be performing Wednesdays through September and October, and he’s open to continuing beyond that if there is an audience for it and if Haas is up for it.

“As long as Jeff graces us with his presence and gets the musicians. It’s always weather pending,” he says with a laugh, noting that winter weather can make a trip from Traverse City to Northport and back hazardous.

For his part, Haas looks forward to reestablishing his relationship with Northport. While his bands have changed, he’s hopeful the audience will return so he can reconnect with them there and expand it with some of those who grew used to seeing and hearing him in Cedar.