Storyville (nightclub)
Encyclopedia
Storyville was a Boston
nightclub
and music venue opened by Boston, Massachusetts native jazz promoter and producer George Wein
during the 1940s. Ahead of its time, it was a magnet for music titans like Billy Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald
, Sarah Vaughan
, Duke Ellington
, Louis Armstrong
, Charlie Parker
, Lennie Tristano
, and Dave Brubeck
who performed there regularly. Holiday even recorded an album, “Billie Holiday at Storyville,” at the club. The club took its name from the country’s first Red Light District in New Orleans. Storyville was known for being the place where jazz truly came into its own, amidst the pleasures and vices of brothels and clubs, music of all kinds, including cabaret, found free expression in the rebellious culture of the neighborhood.
It was first located in the Copley Square Hotel
, but was soon relocated to Harvard Square
.
In 1950, it was relocated again to the Hotel Buckminster
in Kenmore Square
.
Storyville's Kenmore Square location is now occupied by a Pizzeria Uno restaurant. In September 2011, a new nightclub opened in Back Bay using the name of Storyville.
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
nightclub
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
and music venue opened by Boston, Massachusetts native jazz promoter and producer George Wein
George Wein
George Wein is an American jazz promoter and producer who has been called "the most famous jazz impresario" and "the most important non-player... in jazz history"...
during the 1940s. Ahead of its time, it was a magnet for music titans like Billy Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Jane Fitzgerald , also known as the "First Lady of Song" and "Lady Ella," was an American jazz and song vocalist...
, Sarah Vaughan
Sarah Vaughan
Sarah Lois Vaughan was an American jazz singer, described by Scott Yanow as having "one of the most wondrous voices of the 20th century."...
, Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
, Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong , nicknamed Satchmo or Pops, was an American jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans, Louisiana....
, Charlie Parker
Charlie Parker
Charles Parker, Jr. , famously called Bird or Yardbird, was an American jazz saxophonist and composer....
, Lennie Tristano
Lennie Tristano
Leonard Joseph Tristano was a jazz pianist, composer and teacher of jazz improvisation. He performed in the cool jazz, bebop, post bop and avant-garde jazz genres. He remains a somewhat overlooked figure in jazz history, but his enormous originality and dazzling work as an improviser have long...
, and Dave Brubeck
Dave Brubeck
David Warren "Dave" Brubeck is an American jazz pianist. He has written a number of jazz standards, including "In Your Own Sweet Way" and "The Duke". Brubeck's style ranges from refined to bombastic, reflecting his mother's attempts at classical training and his improvisational skills...
who performed there regularly. Holiday even recorded an album, “Billie Holiday at Storyville,” at the club. The club took its name from the country’s first Red Light District in New Orleans. Storyville was known for being the place where jazz truly came into its own, amidst the pleasures and vices of brothels and clubs, music of all kinds, including cabaret, found free expression in the rebellious culture of the neighborhood.
It was first located in the Copley Square Hotel
Copley Square Hotel
The Copley Square Hotel is a hotel in the Back Bay area of Boston, Massachusetts. It was built in 1891 on Huntington Avenue and Exeter Street, and has the distinction of being the city’s second-oldest hotel in continuous operation....
, but was soon relocated to Harvard Square
Harvard Square
Harvard Square is a large triangular area in the center of Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue, Brattle Street, and John F. Kennedy Street. It is the historic center of Cambridge...
.
In 1950, it was relocated again to the Hotel Buckminster
Boston Hotel Buckminster
Boston Hotel Buckminster is a historic hotel in Boston, Massachusetts. It is located on the triangular intersection of Beacon Street and Brookline Avenue in Kenmore Square...
in Kenmore Square
Kenmore Square
Kenmore Square is a square in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, consisting of the intersection of several main avenues as well as several other cross streets, and Kenmore Station, an MBTA subway stop. Kenmore Square is close to or abuts Boston University, Fenway Park, and Lansdowne Street, a...
.
Storyville's Kenmore Square location is now occupied by a Pizzeria Uno restaurant. In September 2011, a new nightclub opened in Back Bay using the name of Storyville.