Seattle Jazz History (crime, club, airplanes)

[seattlerain]

Not wanting to change the subject in the "Is crime that bad" thread too much, and after another poster mentioned jazz in Seattle I wonder how many people realize the rich history of Jazz in Seattle.

The history of jazz in Seattle goes back to the 1910's and around Jackson Street and Twelfth Avenue. The history of jazz music in Seattle includes such prominent names as Benny Goodman, Ray Charles, and of course our very own Ernestine Anderson.

How many people remember, or even know that Ray Charles got his start right here in Seattle...?


A few interesting linkson the subject:


Mayor's Office of Film + Music|Jazz History


International Herald Tribune|Before Grunge Rock: Seattle's Jazz Roots


HistoryLink,org|Ray Charles

[pwright1]

Thanks for the links. The history of jazz in Seattle is so so interesting.

[Rooter48]

The jazz scene in Seattle dates from the war years of the 40s when so many African Americans came to town to build ships and airplanes. Before that, the AA community was quite small.

The big club scene prior to WWII, with lots of music, was around the gay and lesbian places downtown. Seattle was quite a destination back to the 20s.

[Ira500]

The Black and Tan was featuring jazz as early as the 1920's:

Black and Tan Club, The (1922-1966) | The Black Past: Remembered and Reclaimed

[seattlerain]

The jazz scene in Seattle dates back a few decades prior to WWII.

While it is true that there were not many African Americans here prior to WWII...the jazz scene was well established by the war years.

[Destructoman!]

It's certainly fascinating stuff. When you ask people about Seattle "jazz" is not the first thing that would come to mind.

Originally Posted by Rooter48

Seattle was quite a destination back to the 20s.

I'm sure it was. Especially before the major interstates were built and air travel was commonplace. Tis a pity because it really seems like Seattle is losing a lot of that wild-west, frontier feel that it seemed to have. I suppose this is inevitable but it seems like more could be done to preserve and celebrate that history.

[Ira500]

Great post Destructoman. Seattle seems almost ashamed of it's history, like they don't want to admit that they weren't always world class and sophisticated.

[Destructoman!]

Originally Posted by Ira500

Great post Destructoman. Seattle seems almost ashamed of it's history, like they don't want to admit that they weren't always world class and sophisticated.

Thanks! Yeah, I've noticed that too. Do you have any ideas why that is? My guess is that it's something to do with gentrification and the decline of blue-collar labor in the city. It's a shame because it truly is a fascinating history!