Trumpet player Don Robb of the Standard Time Jazz Duo performs at the Water Tower Grill and Bar on Oct. 14, 2020

Local musicians have had to adapt the way they perform due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This includes having to perform in different venues with smaller audiences.

Don Robb and Randy Epp form the Standard Time Jazz Duo. Robb, the trumpet player of the duo and a retired music teacher who worked at Catholic Central High School, says the relationship with the Water Tower Grill management has been very good.

“It’s been excellent. They’ve been really good to work with and they treat us very well when we are over there. It’s worked to their benefit as a business and it’s working to our benefit because we get to do our music.”

Robb says having the new venue has brought a lot of new listeners for the duo’s music, as well as plenty of familiar faces supporting the Water Tower.

“I’d say it’s been a good combination. I know that there has a lot of new people that I recognize, people I’ve let know we are playing and several have joined us, but there’s been plenty of new people so it’s been a really good balance that way.”

Ram Khanal, the owner of the Water Tower Grill and Bar, says the desire to support local artists was the key motivation to having live entertainment present.

“I want to support the local artists; that’s the one key drive I wanted to have always. Some sort of entertainment so the local artists will have a space to show their talents because this is their passion.”

Khanal says it was part of his vision to include live entertainment since taking over the Water Tower.

“Ever since I went in the tower, that was sort of my plan to have entertainment there. We have a great vibe there. We have a modern lounge that you can enjoy.”

The Standard Time Jazz Duo has been performing at the Water Tower Grill and Bar on a bi-weekly basis. The next scheduled performance is scheduled for Oct. 28.