Episode 7 - The Details
Dave Jemilo, proprietor of the Green Mill Lounge, in Chicago is the real deal and one of a kind. Visiting The Mill is something special, and always throws me back nostalgically, not only through the twenty-some years I’ve been going there, but to classic times, several decades before I was born. He knows how to keep things old school, and remain as relevant as ever. Dave and The Green Mill are true Chicago classics, an I’m proud to share a glimpse into their world with you.
This episode includes a special third segment, a remarkable and personal conversation from behind the scenes.
The Drinks: Dragon’s Milk, Bourbon Barrel Stout, Mad Hatter IPA, Malort, Schlitz, Carhartt Woodsman
The Music: Moorean Moon, Courtesy of Sabertooth - “Live at the Green Mill” - © Pat Mallinger
Guest Bios:
Dave Jemilo is a Chicagoan through and through. Born at Holy Cross Hospital in 1956, Jemilo spent most of his early years on the South Side with his mother. His father played an important role in Jemilo’s life, however, as he introduced young Dave to jazz via Benny Goodman, and regaled him as a teenager with romantic tales about a nightclub he frequented in the 1930s called the Green Mill. A Brother Rice graduate, Jemilo, who cuts an intimidating figure, attended the University of Dubuque on a football scholarship. His gridiron talents led him to play semi-pro ball as a defensive end/linebacker, eventually earning him a pro contract with the Chicago Fire in 1981.
The demise of the short-lived franchise and injuries forced Jemilo to turn to less glamorous ways of earning a living, but a strong work ethic soon had him simultaneously employed at the Chicago Park District, working as a teacher and performing evening duties at various nightclubs around town. Perhaps it was an adversity to authority that brought out Jemilo’s entrepreneurial side, but by the mid-eighties he was part owner of a nightclub, the Deja Vu, and within a few short years, he was sole owner and proprietor of the storied club, the Green Mill.
Today, under the clear vision and steady hand of Jemilo, the Mill is one of the most respected nightclubs in the country and plays host to some of the biggest names in jazz. As only the fifth principal owner in the Green Mill’s centenary existence, Jemilo exudes reverence for the legendary club and the good fortune he has had to serve as caretaker to such stuff as dreams are made on.
Dave Jemilo’s Bio is courtesy of Chicago Jazz Magazine : In his Own Words, Dave Jemilo
