Doc’s: The Newest Addition to Houston’s Jazz Scene

Interview takes place on December 5, 2025 at Doc’s Jazz Club in Houston, TX

Houston’s former Tower Theater building in Montrose has not consistently hosted live music performances since New Year’s Eve of 1994, when Texas local Ian Moore closed out the year. Three decades later, live music has finally returned to the historic venue in the form of Doc's Jazz Club! Inspired by traditional American ‘supper clubs’ popular during the 1930s/1940s, Doc’s not only offers fine jazz and serious food, but also fellowship and community for artists and fans of all ages. 

Three weeks after the grand opening celebration, we sat down with Dr. Graeme Francis, an accomplished percussionist, professor, and performer who employs his many talents as the Artistic Director of Doc’s. He aims to make the club an epicenter of the musical ecosystem of the city by developing a culture of going to a show first and foremost to actually see the show. "You can go to any club in town and talk over the band. And everyone's okay with that. This is a place you can come to actually listen to the band." Therefore, Dr. Francis starts each night with an opening speech encouraging the audience to fully engage with the experience. The seating design also reflects Doc’s focus on the relationship between performer and audience: every table faces the stage. After all, “If [the audience is] not here, it’s just another rehearsal, and nobody wants more of that,” Dr. Francis quips. 

Dr. Graeme Francis, Artistic Director at Doc's

Dr. Francis’ mission is to represent musically the best that Houston has to offer. So far, he says, it’s a raging success! Nearly every show has sold out and the audience has been filled with as much diversity as the acts. About ninety percent of the shows at the theater will present local talent hand-selected from the city's wide variety offerings. Dr. Francis recognizes the need for Houston’s prominent, artistically-oriented Black community to be represented on stage at Doc’s. The upcoming lineup features artists like Ki'Ora Michelle, a performer who has been playing around town for a long time but may not be as well known under her own name, and Raven Moran, who Dr. Francis says is “a baller guitar player.” 

With no shortage of options to choose from, Dr. Francis narrows the list of prospective performers by attending their live gigs. When he is not performing, he is haunting local venues like Moth and Raven Tower to scout talent. “I'm going to be constantly looking for people that I don't know, that have an audience, that we should have here,” he says, elaborating that he is seeking acts that are organized, inviting, and engaging. Local musicians, take note to bring your A-game to every show if you hope to get on the books at Doc’s! 

Dr. Francis hopes Doc’s Jazz Club will serve as a venue where local musicians can make a big name for themselves without having to leave the city. “The jazz world in general in Houston is really strong. And there's a lot of phenomenal players from here and a lot of them leave and I don't blame them.… Why? Because there's nowhere to play.” One way Dr. Francis is fostering the next generation of local musicians is by hosting periodic Jazz Jams at Doc’s. The first session was hugely successful, attracting upwards of 50 cats hoping for a chance to jam with the greats. The goal is to integrate with the local musical community, making sure everyone feels like they can be a part of the happenings at the theater. Keep an eye on his Instagram @gfpercussion for future jam opportunities!

Other fun offerings from Doc’s include the “Round Midnight Sessions” on Fridays and Saturdays at 11pm. Guests 21 and up can enjoy world-class jazz, a curated late-night menu, and handcrafted cocktails after the ticketed shows have ended. This series is a chance for newer groups to cut their teeth. It’s an environment that allows for experimentation, providing a stage where musicians can polish their developing acts. “It's a non-ticketed thing. So, there's a little less pressure for the band. We can afford to just basically tell people like stick around, have another cocktail. Walk-ins are welcome… It's a little less formal,” Dr. Francis says. Even though Doc’s is three times bigger than the venue it's modeled after (Jazz, TX at Pearl in San Antonio), seating is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis so show up early if you want to snag a seat from departing diners. 

Doc’s is slated to go down in the history books as an iconic piece of Houston’s music scene. The care that goes into selecting the lineup and creating a listening culture sets Doc’s apart as a unique venue in our sprawling metropolis. It’s also an environment that allows for experimentation, providing a stage where musicians can polish their developing acts. Dr. Francis says they hope to continue to carry out their mission for as long as possible, and one strategy for longevity is maintaining affordability. Reasonable ticket prices allow the jazz supper club to remain accessible to the local community, as well as anchor jazz culture in Houston and beyond. He adds, “Who knows, maybe this is the first one of a series of places that Doc opens around the country.” 

Check docsjazzclub.com for upcoming events so you can get tickets before they’re all sold out, and follow Doc’s on Instagram @docs_houston. 

Story by Heather Steward and Photos by Shelby Mathews