As Riverhead Town gets closer to turning over the keys to the historic Vail-Leavitt Music Hall to the Stony Brook-based The Jazz Loft, leaders of the non-profit music organization say they believe they can have the building ready for a soft opening in January of 2026.
Pictured above: At a community meeting in the Vail-Leavitt theater in 2023.
The Jazz Loft’s Executive Director, Thomas Manuel, pitched the soft opening at an Oct. 16 hearing before the Riverhead Town Board on whether to deem his non-profit “Qualified and Eligible” to redevelop the property.
He said that, with the town Building Department’s cooperation, his team would be able to make the building structurally sound by the new year, and then begin work on the more aesthetic aspects of the renovation, which he anticipated would take about six months. He anticipated holding grand opening not long after the completion of renovations in July of 2026.
The Vail-Leavitt Music Hall was built in 1881, and the second-story auditorium is a replica of Ford’s Theater in Washington, DC. It served as a community meeting space and arts venue, and was famously the site of one of Thomas Edison’s demonstrations of a kinetophone, which synchronized sound and film, in 1914.
“The important theater upstairs has proven to be a survivor of hurricanes, floods and fires,” said Mr. Manuel at the hearing. “It’s endured use as a Chinese restaurant, a roller rink and many years of idle use. I have a feeling it will outlive all of us too. We, collectively and collaboratively, have an opportunity to be its stewards. I hope to make it more inspiring and more meaningful to our community than it has ever been before.”
The music hall was purchased by Riverhead Town in 1980 and given to the non-profit Council for the Vail-Leavitt Music Hall in 1982, with the caveat that the town could take the building back if it was not properly maintained or used for the intended purpose of running a performing arts center. Riverhead took the property back in May of 2024.
In April of 2025, in a split 3-2 vote, the Riverhead Town Board authorized the negotiation of a contract with The Jazz Loft to purchase and operate the theater, a a $150,000 price tag.
Councilmen Bob Kern and Ken Rothwell had voted against negotiating the contract. Mr. Rothwell balked at the low purchase price, while Mr. Kern said he was skeptical that there was enough audience here for a venue focused primarily on jazz.
“The main work is really the roof and the exterior. The building is not watertight, and there are leakage problems with the roof,” said Mr. Manuel at the hearing, adding that there is already a $250,000 Suffolk County grant in place to ensure the structural stability of the building.
He said Riverhead Community Development Director Dawn Thomas is working with The Jazz Loft on the details of how that grant can be put to use.
He added that Joel Snodgrass of Steward Preservation Services has created a restoration plan for the building.
“He’s the authority for the restoration of historic buildings in New York State,” said Mr. Manuel. “He’s used by the Gardiner Foundation, and he needs to put his stamp of approval on any plan for a Gardiner grant.”
No one spoke in criticism of the proposal at the Oct. 16 Qualified & Eligible hearing. Numerous board members and supporters of The Jazz Loft shared glowing reviews of the work the non-profit had done to renovate a historic building in Stony Brook and make it a destination.
Speakers also praised The Jazz Loft for its new well-attended series at The Avram Theater at Stony Brook Southampton. Mr. Manuel is a professor at Stony Brook University, and The Jazz Loft has close ties with the university.
The Jazz Loft’s Director of Education & Community Outreach, Laura Landor, shared details about how the non-profit provides exciting community service programs for students, performance opportunities for school groups, master classes with accomplished musicians and jam sessions at which people of all ages are welcome, as well as offering continuing education classes for music educators.
She recounted a story of one young man, used to playing in school auditoriums, whose mind was opened up while preparing for his first performance on stage at The Jazz Loft.
“He said, ‘this is like a real club. We’re going to play here,'” she said. “We’re putting them in a venue that’s designed for music.”
“We have middle school students who sit in and learn how to jam and get over their fear of playing without [written] music,” she added.
She said The Jazz Loft would love to partner with East End Arts’ music education programs at the Vail-Leavitt.
The Jazz Loft’s Director of Development, Michael Ardolino, said that “on Long Island, there’s a sense of craving for music. People out here don’t often have a chance to go to New York City to see music.”
Stony Brook University Vice President for Strategic Initiatives Wendy Pearson said the Southampton Jazz Loft series, initially launched in the summer of 2025, has been extended due to high demand.
“This was our first time launching an event series in the summer, and we didn’t know if we would be able to attract an audience,” she said, adding that the most recent concerts have been standing room only, which she attributed, in part, to an accessible tike price.
“It’s the atmosphere they’ve created,” she said. “People come back again and again.”
Dan Oliveri, a patron of The Jazz Loft, said the organization has done a great job earning community support.
“I have no doubt they can transform this into one of the premiere venues on Long Island. I’m honored to be a part of the journey, and I hope we can make the Vail-Leavitt a beacon of creativity and inspiration here in Riverhead,” he said.
Mr. Manuel said The Jazz Loft is “actively engaged in seeking grant funding,” from New York State and private foundations, as well as by cultivating relationships with sponsors and donors.
He added that North Fork arts philanthropist Emilie Corey, Dark Horse Restaurant owner Dee Muma and Brian Stark of the Riverhead Rotary have already stepped up to help with the project.
Investor Alan Fishbein said that, after visiting the well-attended Quantum Leap Music Festival celebrating New Orleans Jazz in Cutchogue this summer, he believes there’s a big audience for “something that’s missing here.”
Bryan DeLuca, the Executive Director of the Long Island Aquarium in downtown Riverhead, said he had visited the Jazz Loft as a board member of the promotional organization Discover Long Island.
“I was blown away by what they’ve accomplished, the history they’re preserving and the performances they do,” he said, adding that he’s been “watching their evolution with Southampton.”
“Any time we can get a point of interest for the East End, that’s just another feather in our cap,” he said. “Stony Brook is a tremendous organization to have… I think the stars are aligned and this makes a lot of sense.”
“When this area opens up and they get this theater, there will be shops opening up around this venue, there will be places to eat if you have entertainment at night,” said Herb Mones, the President of the Three Village Community Trust, which has worked with The Jazz Loft on projects. “Riverhead will grow from this.”
Mr. Mones added that Mr. Manuel “is an incredible person. He’s the Energizer bunny. He just keeps going.”
The Town Board held the public hearing open for written comment for 10 days, until Oct. 24 at 5 p.m. Written comments can be emailed to Town Clerk Jim Wooten at townclerk@townofriverheadny.gov.
“This is an exciting point we’ve reached in the Town of Riverhead,” said Town Supervisor Tim Hubbard. “I wish you much luck, and we will get back to you with a decision.”
When asked about the hearing at a candidate forum later that evening, Councilman Kern, who had voted against authorizing the negotiation of the contract, said The Jazz Loft’s presenters were skilled orators, but he questioned their reliance on grant funding.
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