Remembering Martin Juredine

— February 2nd, 2011

October 14, 1944 - February 1, 2011

Martin Juredine

Coventry and Cleveland lost a good friend yesterday when Martin Juredine passed away after a long illness. Martin lived in the neighborhood for several years, but most of you will know him as the proprietor of the Barking Spider Tavern, in University Circle, which he co-founded with Bruce Madorsky in 1986.

I first met Martin back in 1988 when I was working nearby. A colleague took me there one day after work and I've been visiting once a week or so ever since.

The Spider is one of the most unique places in Cleveland. Tucked away behind Case Western Reserve University's alumni house on Juniper Road it can be tricky to find, but once you discover it you are bound to return. There are several reasons for this—all of which are because of Martin.

On the one hand, you have the music. The Barking Spider has live music every night of the year—though not tonight. Bands are booked six months in advance with 2 or more acts performing each evening. Styles range from jazz and ragtime to bluegrass, folk and alternative. Martin listened to music of all persuasions, and was always ready to give up-and-coming young artists a chance to perform. If they couldn't afford a hotel he'd often let them camp out on the floor of his house. Over the years I've bought several CD's from bands I might never have heard of were it not for the fact that I turned up at the Spider the same night they did.

On the other hand you have the ambience that extends beyond the music. I read somewhere today that Martin had a vision of a place where you could feel at home, as though a band were performing in your living room. That is the feeling you get. The place is comfortable and relaxed, the decor is rustic, wood-paneled and eclectic (you're allowed to write on the bathroom walls).

It's not a place you go to dance, though when acts like Carlos Jones and the Plus Band perform, people certainly do. It's not a place to show off your expensive suit (it's earthy casual) yet if you show up in your finest attire, after a concert at Severance Hall or a party at one of the local museums, that works fine as well.

The Spider isn't about the look or feel but about the people. Martin made everyone feel welcome. He made you feel safe. If you arrived alone, waiting for friends, you could sit on your own reading a magazine, with the knowledge that you wouldn't be pestered. And if for some reason you were, Martin would be there to shoo the miscreant away.

But that didn't happen often, because the Spider is the sort of place where you feel comfortable chatting with most anyone you might encounter. You could sidle up to the bar to join in a conversation with Martin and anyone nearby. When you did you might find a brain surgeon and a carpenter in deep discussion about anything from politics to fishing in South America. And they'd be happy to let you jump in and share your two cents.

Camaraderie is encouraged. Martin made it this way because he was both affable and a thinker. He liked people and wanted them to feel at home. He also wanted to learn more about anything and everything, so he asked good questions and was ready to converse about pretty much any topic you might bring up. This led others to do the same. In many ways, the Spider is an intellectual hang-out, popular with faculty and staff from Case Western Reserve University, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, the Botanical Garden and other nearby organizations. But at the same time, the Spider is also relaxed. You can sit down with a crowd of PhD's and delve into deep thought or (with the same crowd) you can just relax and talk about baseball. It really doesn't matter. Martin made the Spider a place where you could just be yourself and not worry about pretense.

Martin created a place where I've met some amazing people, some of whom are now among my closest friends, while others are friendly faces I may only see from time to time. I'm not alone in this. As I've been reading the Facebook, Twitter posts and e-mails, this has been a common thread.

Stever Presser wrote that "Martin was an UNBELIEVABLY special guy. He and The Barking Spider became a part of both mine and Debbie's life."

Suzanne Degaetano, who works at the Spider in addition to running Mac's Backs sent me this message she's including in her newsletter:

"Some sad news for the Cleveland community—Martin Juredine who ran the Barking Spider Tavern in University Circle for the last 25 years since its inception died from cancer on Tuesday, February 1st. Martin grew the pub into a premier place for live music. Local and touring musicians found a home there and the Barking Spider's busy calendar has featured everything from bluegrass to spoken word performances. Martin was from the Heights but travelled all over the world. He brought his enlightenment to the Barking Spider and welcomed all music lovers and thoughtful folks. Martin had a great sense of humor and was a friendly and steady presence at the bar. He encouraged countless musicians and writers, too. Martin was an avid reader and particularly liked Graham Greene's novels and Pablo Neruda's poetry. Because of Martin, The Barking Spider has become another one of University Circle's institutions—a coachhouse with logs on the fire in the winter, picnic tables under shady trees in the summer and the best of live music always. Martin's daughter Jenna Juredine has managed the club in recent years and carries on the tradition. A toast to you, Martin."

The missives on Facebook speak in the same tone. Whether we barely knew him, or knew him well, Martin made each of us feel like we were close friends, and he's passed that attitude down to his daughters and the Barking Spider staff alike.

Today our thoughts go out to his daughters Jenna Juredine and Shisha Adorjan, grand-daughter Aiyanna Adorjan, son-in law, Rick Adorjan, the Barking Spider team, and his countless other friends.

There's no music at the Spider tonight, but if you listen closely you'll hear it in your head.

Rest in peace Martin.

Barking Spider & Martin Juredine Links

P.S. (added Feb. 4, 2011) If you've written, or found, a blog post or other story about Martin that you would like me to add to the above list, please share the link in the comments below.

Update: The Martin Juredine Memorial Concert Benefit will be held March 28, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. the Beachland Ballroom. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Admission $5.

Categories: In Memoriam

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16 Comments »

  1. Nice tribute Heidi. Martin really liked what he did. Twice a night, and sometimes more, he would listen to all kinds of music. From folk to rock to blues to gospel he never had trouble getting an “act”. Many came from right here. Others came from across the country or throughout the world. And if it wasn’t music, it was poetry or comedy.

    He remembered every face, was kind, gracious, beneficent and inspiring to musicians everywhere… especially ones like me. Martin never made a bunch of money, but with the affection of those who surrounded him, he was the richest man I ever met. I will miss him.

    Comment by mark freeman, — February 3, 2011 @5:44 pm

  2. Well said Mark. You are right, he was doing what he most loved to do, which is why he did it so well. We can certainly say that he did live his life to the fullest.

    Comment by Heidi Cool, — February 3, 2011 @5:47 pm

  3. Nice job, Heidi.

    Comment by Bob Rhubart, — February 3, 2011 @7:24 pm

  4. Thanks Bob! I had so many thoughts and memories that it was hard to narrow it down.

    Comment by Heidi Cool, — February 3, 2011 @7:44 pm

  5. There is a big hole in the universe now and our good friend is gone. I will miss him a the worst way. He was the most encouraging guy twards all of us and he worked his way into our hearts, deeply and meaningfully. He leaves us with many good memories and his lovely daughter Jenna. I wish I could give her a big hug. He always loves your music and he always has you back. I wish I could do the same.

    Comment by Guy Pernetti, — February 3, 2011 @8:04 pm

  6. Martin was a special guy, literate and sly at times
    and great to talk to into the night.
    He created a place you can always comfortably walk into
    whether it’s thru the door or the window.
    The Barking Spider is how I know Cleveland.
    A place where you’re greeted with genuine warmth
    and treated with respect.
    He had a good heart and a bohemian spirit.

    Cormac McCarthy

    Comment by Cormac McCarthy, — February 3, 2011 @11:23 pm

  7. Martin was a very important persoon during a very important period of my life. I’m touched very deeply by this death.

    Comment by Rich, — February 4, 2011 @2:08 am

  8. Guy, great description, thanks for sharing those thoughts.

    Cormac, I like your use of the word sly, I can see that in his grin, apt word word choice, sly in an uncanny way rather than a devious way. If I recall you are the musician from Maine (as opposed to the novelist.) I think we’ve chatted once or twice. I went to Colby…and of course Martin went to Colgate which isn’t in the same locale but seemed a similar school so I always felt sympatico with Martin on that note.

    Rich, thanks for your thoughts, Martin did have a way of touching people deeply, even a casual conversation could strike a deep chord.

    Comment by Heidi Cool, — February 4, 2011 @4:17 am

  9. I grew up with Marty-as he was called then.He was always a great guy. Many people may not know he was a great football player at Heights High as well as college.He was always the toughest and strongest of us all with the mildest nature. He was always his own man. it was a privilege knowing him and being a friend.

    Comment by Thomas Mester, — February 4, 2011 @7:15 pm

  10. Met Martin the first night he opened, how could I not he was our neighbor and he owned a bar. We lived on the other side of the path in ZBT and the Spider was not at all hard for us to find.
    He was a great man right out of the gate, warm, welcoming and just the place to bring a date and listen to music. Never once worried about the “drive” home. He had a rare gift of listening, a great ear for music and a fine appreciation of the arts. I ought to know he hired me to paint signage for the Spider on the path side of the building and telephone pole. The things one does for a cold one on a hot Summer Day.
    He completed the trifecta by providing me a place to go and meet my wife 18 years and 4 days ago, it was also a Friday. She also shares in this loss, he gave civility, warmth and grace to a place that sorely needs it. A Great Man.

    Comment by Chad Reed, — February 4, 2011 @8:36 pm

  11. My friend Cuzin’ Dave Newman, Thursday night programmer on WRUW for 40+ years, told me of the Barking Spider when I was in University Hospital’s pain clinic in January, 1988. I didn’t meet Martin my first time there, but found his place so homey and welcoming and musical, I became a regular that year. I’ll never forget the hug Martin gave me when I was brought to the “Spider” by a friend 3 months after a very bad accident in 1993. After that Martin & I became close friends, once I knew who he rally was. So kind, gentle, understanding, and always ready to speak with me re: any subject that I would bring up. Of course, the Barking Spider is the most fabulous and unique live music establishment and environment that I have encountered. His employees, past & present, are of a similar personal nature, that I suppose were attracted to work there because of Martin’s nature. I always felt that Martin was brilliant. His passing is a great loss to 100′s (1,000′s) of his friends, patrons, and artists that have performed at or been entertained at the “Spider.” I am very encouraged to hear that Jenna & Martin’s partner will carry on. I’m sure the Spider’s spirit will continue. I’m so grateful for that.
    Jim Brenner

    Comment by Jim Brenner, — February 5, 2011 @9:24 am

  12. I posted on the blogger site but couldn’t come up with a thumbnail of Martin. Sorry. Will see you Monday at the Spider. This is a nice piece, Heidi!

    Comment by Susie Sharp, — February 6, 2011 @6:05 pm

  13. Thanks Susie. Where did you post? You are welcome to use any of these pics. They are all in one composite image but it can be cropped. The 2nd one down has been getting a lot of use. I’ll upload the individual images to the FB page.

    Comment by Heidi Cool, — February 7, 2011 @2:33 am

  14. Martin

    I moved to Cleveland in 1995 from Philly where I frequently sang at a small local place called The Mermaid Inn. I didn’t find the Barking Spider until the Spring of 1997 when I found the Hessler Street fair and it was then that I felt I could live in Cleveland for a while. Martin was the embodiment of “friendly.” He had a genuine interest in the conversation at hand, whether he had known you for decades or you had just wandered in for the first time. Martin was authentic, and that’s what we should all strive to be – authentic.

    I snapped this photo Oct. 2010 – Jay

    Comment by Jay Levan, — February 7, 2011 @7:27 am

  15. Thank you, Heidi. I can only echo you words. The Barking Spider is one of the most unique places I’ve ever known. I never encountered anything like it before, and I doubt I will ever again. I’ve been a regular there for about 15 years now, and Martin remembered me after the very first visit. Martin was always so nice to me, but as noted, he was so nice to EVERYBODY. I also spent many a night there, expecting to have a quick beer and go home from a long day at work, but would end up staying till closing because the atmosphere was so relaxed, and the music would be so good. I also picked up CD’s from acts I’d never heard before. I know the Spider is in good hands. Jenna, as Martin, has also been so very nice to me over the years. I struggle for words, but as long as the Spider continues to exist, especially with Jenna at the helm, it will continue as a living legacy to Martin. That may be the greatest monument of all. I will miss Martin, and will never forget him.

    Comment by Hugh Marshall, — February 7, 2011 @5:17 pm

  16. Thank you so much, sweetheart! I had a good cry.

    Comment by Shisha, — February 12, 2011 @4:15 pm

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