Music With a Point of View at New Club

In what could be called the combined resurrection of Alfonse’s and the Money Tree, M.K.’S P.O.V. opened Wednesday in North Hollywood in the Riverside Drive building that once was home to Alfonse’s, but with a Money Tree music approach.

“Basically, we’re doing tasty jazz, not heavy duty stuff and certainly no fusion,” said Fred Olivo, the former bar manager at the defunct Money Tree (which was located only a block or two down the street from Alfonse’s) and now manager of M.K.’S P.O.V. The title is an acronym for Martha K.’s Point of View, referring to owner Martha K. Hanson.

“We’ll have a trio every night, and many nights we’ll have a featured vocalist,” as did the Money Tree.

Olivo said the emphasis will be on listenable jazz and standards “that won’t blow people out the back door. All in all, we’re trying to keep a cohesiveness with the dining room and bar.” A no-cover-charge policy is in effect.

Pianist Marty Harris, who has worked with such artists as Woody Herman, Anita O’Day and Diana Ross, has been hired as the room’s musical director. He appeared there Wednesday, backing singer Peggy Lauren, and will be in through next week. He’ll work with singers Mike Campbell (tonight and Saturday), Polly Podewell (Sunday and Tuesday), Jimmy Spencer (Wednesday) and Lauren (Thursday). Guitarist Ron Anthony appears Monday.

Not only is the music policy at M.K.’S P.O.V. different from Alfonse’s, which was pretty much a mainstream jazz room seven nights a week, but so is the menu--continental cuisine is spotlighted--and the decor. “There have been no major structural changes,” said Olivo, “but people have been coming in, saying they don’t recognize the place. We’ve kept the red (Naugahyde) booths (that were a hallmark of Alfonse’s), but we’ve put in new burgundy carpet. And we moved the bandstand back to the middle of the club, behind the bar, where it was for many years.”

M.K.’S P.O.V. is located at 10057 Riverside Drive, North Hollywood. Information: (818) 760-4412.

MORE SOUNDS: Music has been added at J.P.’s, 3722 W. Magnolia Boulevard, in North Hollywood, where pianist Karen Hernandez, known for her work at Alfonse’s, the Money Tree and Monteleone’s West, among other rooms, is in Tuesdays-Saturdays, and backing singers on Fridays and Saturdays. Currently on tap: Don Ross. Information: (818) 845-1800.