Nightlife in the Jazz Age

Ella Fitzgerald

Billie Holiday

Bessie Smith

Sarah Vaughan

Their names dress the history books and have bookended music collections for more than a century. Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong and Cab Calloway. Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Bessie Smith. These singers and musicians did far more than revolutionize American music — they were also instrumental in the social change occurring early in the 20th century.

When prohibition officially turned America dry in 1920 (or at least intended to), thousands of underground nightclubs sprouted overnight, particularly in urban areas. These speakeasies overflowed with dancing and booze … and a new kind of music called jazz.

While the prohibitive movement was only a “noble attempt” at curbing the sale and consumption of alcohol, it did wonders for the music of the time. Jazz, commonly associated with the illicit behavior of those who blatantly ignored the government-imposed bans on alcohol, was in turn seen as music that invited loose morals … and, like most things frowned upon, became immensely popular.

But this ushering in of the Jazz Age contributed also to the social unrest and racial tensions brewing in every corner of the country. Perhaps the most renowned of all the jazz night spots of the time was the Cotton Club, located in the heart of Harlem. Many of the greatest African American entertainers of the era (like Ella Fitzgerald and Ethel Waters) were welcomed to blossom in such venues, but were generally not admitted to the club, as the ownership had imposed a “whites only” policy for customers.

Before it became the more recognizable Apollo Theater, Hurtig and Seamon’s New Burlesque Theater was also open only to white patrons. After several transfers of ownership and a name change, the newly named Apollo Theater became integrated in 1934. The same year, Ella Fitzgerald made her debut on its stage.

Fitzgerald considered herself, first and foremost, a dancer. But, when faced with the opportunity to perform at the Apollo Theater’s now-famous Amateur Night, a case of stage fright prompted her to sing instead. After quieting the often-rowdy crowd with her renditions of Hoagy Carmichael’s “Judy” and “The Object of My Affection,” she won the amateur competition, along with a $25 prize.

Fitzgerald wasn’t the only legend to be born at the Apollo Theater. That same year, legendary jazz singer Sarah Vaughan also won Amateur Night at the Apollo. After accompanying her friend to a win at the amateur contest, Vaughan returned to compete (and win) herself, singing “Body and Soul”. For her talents, she won $10 and a week-long engagement. In the spring of 1943, she opened for Ella Fitzgerald on the Apollo stage.

In years following, many other African American artists would launch their careers on the very same stage, including Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Michael Jackson and Lauryn Hill.

Other nightclubs, following in the footsteps of the Apollo Theater, attempted to steer clear of such exclusive admissions policies. Considered a jazz club for the general public, the Savoy Ballroom was a popular (and integrated) dance and big band venue where the Lindy Hop was first seen. Known to some as the “Home of Happy Feet,” accomplished dancers could be seen showcasing their newest steps on the Savoy’s enormous dance floor.

Small’s Paradise, which was famous for lavish floor shows and waiters who danced the Charleston while serving drinks, was a hot spot for big bands, while Harlem’s Rhythm Club was a popular spot for musicians after their shows. If patrons were lucky, they might witness a “cutting contest” among instrumentalists to see who could outplay each other.

With the ratification of the 21st Amendment in 1933, the sale of alcohol became legal again. As the once-forbidden became lawful again, the speakeasies lost their crowds. But jazz never lost its appeal. It has, in turn, influenced much of mainstream music today. From the jazz fusion of the 1970s to today’s rap and R&B, the flavor of jazz has and will continue to influence the sounds of America.

Research for this story was obtained at www.riverwalkjazz.org and www.wikipedia.org.