The drummer is wearing shades and a beret. The bass player's shoulder-length dreadlocks sway from side to side and he hasn't opened his eyes during the entire song. As waitresses hustle-up drinks, a late-night crowd sits mesmerized by the music that engulfs the room. Welcome to Jazid.

In a non-descript store-front on South Beach's Washington Avenue, former model Michelle McKinnon has created a tiny live performance jazz club that has been a haven for South Beach jazz and R&B lovers for more than six years now. On the following pages, writer John Buchanan sits down with Michelle to find out just how and why she did it.