Studio 55 Marin

Sitting here at Studio 55 listening to a jam session with about 2 dozen musicians playing guitars, mandolin, bass and fiddle. It's the end of an all day swing and gypsy jazz workshop that's been a pretty awesome event. Sylvia Herold of The Rhythm Bugs is leading the jam session and she's making it a wonderful experience for all. Javier Jimenez of Beso Negro has been teaching gypsy jazz tunes. They both teach classes here during the week. Studio 55 and Roots Music Marin is creating a nice little music community here.

I recently went with a friend to see a show at Studio 55 Marin, an intimate listening room/recording studio/performance hall created by Old Time/Bluegrass music promoter/booker and musician Ken Frankel.  After the show, we both agreed that the sound quality in this venue made it the best listening experience we have had in years.  

This venue is located in an industrial area of east San Rafael about 1/2 mile from the Home Depot, with the 580 freeway approach to the Richmond-San Rafael bridge across the street.  Surrounding businesses are closed during showtimes, so parking is plentiful.  From the outside, Studio 55 Marin has the appearance of an office front for a public storage facility.  Inside, however, there is an old-school recording studio, for recording a full-band performance, with a large mixing board and other audio recording equipment housed at an open booth near the back of the room.  This equipment is connected to the room's sound system, speakers, and monitors.   Comfortable seating for 150 is spread around the stage.  There are good sight lines from every seat.  We sat 5 rows back at the room's center, and the sound was fabulous, in a perfect decibel range.  The room is also completely soundproofed from any outside noise.  It was as if we were in an isolated cabin in the woods and not next to a major freeway.  It was all perfect for the kind of musical acts who perform here.  Bands that play at Studio 55 Marin play the traditional instruments of folk, Bluegrass,  Americana, Old Time, Appalachian, and Celtic music - guitar, banjo, double bass, mandolin, and hand percussion.  Drum kits and electric instruments are usually absent.   This is live music to sit to listen to and enjoy, and not for those who like to stand un a mosh pit and have their ears blasted out by too-loud music.   Considering the prices some venues charge for the top-rated musicians that play at Studio 55 Marin, the $15 charged here is a bargain.  No alcohol is served at this time so it is a great all-ages venue.  Restrooms are adequate and clean.  The only improvement that would perhaps make this an even better experience would be to serve better quality items at the snack bar.  The snack bar serves water, soft drinks, and a small selection of cookies.  My friend and I each bought a large chocolate chip cookie.   It was okay, but much too sweet, it might have been a Safeway or Costco brand.  My friend couldn't even eat it.   I think that Studio 55 Marin would profit a lot by offering healthier baked goods made by a local artisan bakery and finding a healthier alternative to  Coca Cola.  This is Marin, and patrons would welcome this type of fare, especially since it is the only place in that area of town where food is available in the evening.   Bottom line, though, in my opinion the best listening room in Marin.