About Cafe Coda

Welcome to Café CODA, Madison’s premier jazz space and “the coolest place to be”. You will find us in the heart of the creative and cultural hub of Madison, located at 1224 Williamson St. We offer a wide variety of creative and cultural arts to fit your entertainment needs. Whether it’s musical performances, workshops or master classes, we’ve got you covered!

Our name and logo come from the musical passage. It signals the end of a composition, when musicians bring the piece to an end. It connects and unifies the piece and is symbolic for what we imagine will manifest with jazz in the Madison community.

We are dedicated to the presentation of traditional, contemporary and creative music. Our mission is to manifest the presence of music; to inspire and broaden the cultural scope of our community.

About the Owner

Hanah Jon Taylor is an internationally acclaimed artist, composer, and educator recognized for his lyrical voice on flute, soprano saxophone, and wind synthesizer. A lifelong Student of Improvisation, his work reflects more than five decades of creative exploration rooted in jazz, global traditions, and community-centered expression.

After earning a Master of Science in Music Therapy from Southern Illinois University, Hanah returned to Chicago and was inducted into the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM), a defining influence on his artistic and cultural philosophy. His career soon expanded to international stages, with performances throughout Europe and collaborations with visionary artists across generations.

Throughout his career, Hanah has balanced performance with education and cultural leadership. He has served as a Visiting Professor and Artist-in-Residence, directed the University of Chicago’s first Improvisation Orchestra, and developed Musonics, a proactive creative practice offering workshops and musical experiences for diverse communities.

Today, Hanah leads the Hanah Jon Taylor Artet and continues to collaborate widely. He is the Owner and Operator of Café CODA, Madison’s premier jazz venue, and Artistic Director of Kuumba Renaissance Ltd., advancing a living legacy where artistry, culture, and community converge.

(Wail / Hanah Jon Taylor is a painting by Martel Chapman which was uploaded on July 3rd, 2020.)

Contact us

Interested in renting our space or learning about our shows? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!