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Meet Your Morning Piano Player

By Ed Fuentes
Published: Friday, September 25, 2009, at 08:58AM
george Ed Fuentes

Music at the Corner Kafe, located near Skid Row.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Skid row residents, garment workers and flower vendors who grab bacon and eggs or pancakes at the Corner Kafe tend to make the order "for here." They want to listen to George, the morning piano player with a full repertoire.

"Hey, can you play 'We Are the World'," asked a man with a neck full of tattoos and a plate full of biscuits and gravy. George nods and jumps into it. "I usually play Gospel Jazz," he says during the last bars.

Corner Kafe owner Gevork Armen invites the musicians to play, and has a list of regulars who man the keyboards. "Some play all day," he says. "But they have to be good. They must sound professional."

George, who has been playing since the age of 3, fit that bill during a 9am morning gig this week.

Corner Kafe / 301 E 7th St /

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Guest 1

anthony on September 25, 2009, at 09:44AM – #1

That's what I love about downtown.


Guest 2

General Jeff on September 25, 2009, at 02:23PM – #2

This business is much better run than the previous business called "88 Burger". It is clean, has comfortable seating and if there is no musician playing music, the jazz music coming from the overhead speakers makes for a delightful experience while one eats.

Oh, and the food is preety good, too! And of course affordable.

I also like "The Duke of the Piano" who also plays there and has pictures taped to the wall of his past experiences like performing with The Platters and pitching for the Dodgers, back in the fifties. He is a wonderful addition to our community with tons of talent for a man of his age.

I was hooked when I requested "Satin Doll" and he jumped right into it with the traditional version and then added his own interpretation. Simply a class act. Of course I had to add to the tip jar.

And also a class business as they always treat the customers with respect and dignity, which is rare for this part of Downtown.

Also, they just extended to 24 hours and now one has a much better choice for late night eating as apposed to only 7th and Main.


Guest 3

Oscar on September 25, 2009, at 03:08PM – #3

This is been going on for a while, but what I'm curious to see is if the hipsters will visit now that you've reported on it... BTW this place is just across the street form that fire station that held an open house just a couple months ago, but only a couple of people showed up...


Guest 4

Eve on September 25, 2009, at 03:58PM – #4

Ugh, Oscar. You mean the human beings, right? Because lots of different types of people read this "internet blog" thing.


Guest 5

General Jeff on September 25, 2009, at 11:45PM – #5

Oscar, I'm not sure what fire station you're talking about, but there is no fire station across the street from this place.

There is Fire Station #9 at 7th and San Julian and there is the "Old" Fire Station #23 at 5th and Maple.

The Corner Kafe is at 7th and Maple.

Question- Why would a Fire Station have an open house? And why would you expect a big turnout even if it was for sale? Are Fire Stations in that much of a demand?

Yeah, well that's what they said about all the lofts before many of them went rental.


Guest 6

drea111 on September 26, 2009, at 11:23AM – #6

Thanks for this heads up--I am definitely going to check it out.



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