Ray Archie knows the room is special. He recalls nights spent at the New Parish as it teemed with the sounds of jazz, soul and funk groups. He talks about the Oakland nightclub’s predecessor, Sweet Jimmie’s, with a historian’s perspective.

So when the possibility arose to carry on the tradition of live music at 1743 San Pablo Ave., Ray and his wife Melissa Archie didn’t hesitate. Their company, Brooklyn Sound Lab, will handle music booking at the soon-to-be-reconfigured performing arts space leased by the Oakland Theater Project (OTP).

The alliance is a natural one for the two East Bay-based compaines. For the past four years, Archie has worked with OTP as sound designer and music director on company productions like Angels in America and Cabaret. For six months, he’s discussed with OTP how to best share the space with live theater.

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