The Mainstay

In the Spring of 2000, Drake University gave permanent use of the Mainstay to the Drake Jazz Program. This building was the home of a coffee house that regularly had live music. When the facility closed it presented a great opportunity for Drake's Jazz Ensembles to have their own place to rehearse. Thanks to the great support of the Drake administration, the Drake Jazz Program now has its own home.

Rehearsal Space

It's hard to tell from the outside,but the Mainstay is an ideal rehearsal facility with a great deal of space and excellent acoustics. It also has a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere that is perfect for jazz. The Mainstay is not just used for rehersals; many of Drake's combo's use the Mainstay's 24 track recording studio to record their own CD's and demo tracks. The Mainstay also houses the Jimmy Maxwell Library, a collection of thousands of pieces of music, books, and recordings once owned by the legendary trumpeter and father of Drake's President, David Maxwell.