Detroit Sound Conservancy receives $1.9 million grant to restore historic Blue Bird Inn

“We are profoundly grateful to Detroit’s legacy of cultural champions who have paved the way for this substantial philanthropic support,” said DSC Director of Operations Jonah Raduns-Silverstein in a press release. “After years of work and advocacy, The Blue Bird Inn will once again become a welcoming home for Detroit’s ongoing musical story. These resources allow us to fully restore the Bird to its historic, sonic, and cultural excellence.”

The Blue Bird Inn, where jazz legends like John Coltrane and Miles Davis performed, was a hotbed of the Detroit music scene from the 1930s to ’50s. Once threatened with demolition, the DSC bought the abandoned venue in 2019 and has advocated for its rehabilitation ever since.

Renovations over the next four years will include restoring original features, such as the seating layout and lighting, while adding modern updates such as a sound system. Once the Blue Bird Inn is restored, it will be used as both a music venue and a cultural heritage center, archive and community space.