In Memory of Ed Moss

There's this quaint little Jazz club in northern OTR where the walls are lined with oriental rugs to keep the sound inside. It's a peculiar building, jutting out at the intersections of Vine St. and W. McMicken Ave. One price gets you a delicious buffet of hot, home-made food and all the music you can handle as Ed Moss and his Society Jazz Orchestra play with any guests who stop by for the night.

- Ed Moss playing the piano with his Society Jazz Orchestra in 2011.

I don't really remember how I found out about the place. The website wasn't well maintained and Google offered conflicting information when researching it. I think it was a phone call to Ed, one where he told me when to stop by. I was a college photo intern with City Beat at the time and looking for a unique story for a multimedia piece.

Over a couple of nights, I photographed Ed, his band, and the club’s patrons - those who knew where to find it and weren’t afraid of venturing into the neighborhood’s northern streets well before any newer development had reached them. I sat down with Ed to interview him, hear his story. He was as kind and as welcoming to me as his smile in this article’s first photograph might imply. He cared deeply for his little jazz club, even more so about the music he and the band played. It was a great story to cover, but also a great place to stumble across. I found Ed at a crossroads in my life and his attitude and positivity were certainly uplifting in those days.

- Inside Schwartz's Point in 2011.

I wish I would've kept in touch with him, gone back to photograph his club with newer camera technology that wasn't as grainy as these photos from 2011. That's life though, you can't really lament lack of time time with someone until they're gone, when you're truly aware of it. In the end it should just make you more grateful for the times you had with them. However brief, I'll always appreciate my time with Ed Moss. I appreciate him not just as an interesting story subject, but as someone who showed me a welcoming kindness. The type of person who makes this city a great place to explore.

This past weekend, Ed’s daughter wrote to me. Ed unfortunately passed away on September 9, 2016. A GoFundMe page has been launched to help with supporting a small family funeral, settling bills, and organizing a memorial for him.

If you knew Ed or feel compelled to do so, you can donate here. Additionally, if you have any memories of Ed like I do, you can share those here. I'm sure his family would love to hear them.

Thank you, Ed.

- Portrait of Ed Moss, 2011.

As of the time of publication, I'm not sure what the future will hold for Ed's club, Schwartz's Point. I'll edit the article when I find out. 

GoFundMe page to support Ed's family. 

Update | Oct. 22, 2017

• Schwartz's Point is now reopen.