{"id":1159,"date":"2020-07-17T20:13:57","date_gmt":"2020-07-18T01:13:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/?p=1159"},"modified":"2021-06-21T14:07:35","modified_gmt":"2021-06-21T19:07:35","slug":"newport-jazz-prologue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/newport-jazz-prologue\/","title":{"rendered":"A History of the Newport Jazz Festival – Prologue: Born in Storyville, 1950-1954"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In September of 1950, twenty-four-year-old George Wein used his college savings to open a nightclub, Storyville, at Boston\u2019s Copley Square Hotel. The venue boldly planned to present jazz in a new light. Taking its name from the legendary New Orleans district of debauchery, brothels, and flophouses from whence the music came, the budding entrepreneur planned to reform its image towards one more reflective of the art form\u2019s true beauty. The approach was an instant success with people from across the city flocking to see the Bob Wilber Sextet\u2019s performances there. Within six weeks, however, the building owner\u2019s deceptive business practices forced Wein into an ethical dilemma. Rather than continuing to perpetuate these acts, he chose to shutter the business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Storyville reopened in February of 1951 at the Buckminster Hotel near Fenway Park. Unlike its predecessor, it initially struggled to find an audience. While this would have deterred many, Wein remained undaunted. By the fall, he expended a significant sum to book pianist George Shearing, who had a large following. The gamble paid off, beginning a series of sold-out performances. Over time, journalists increasingly visited and, through their writings, also exposed artists to a new audience. Throughout, it was clear that Storyville would be a place of serious reflection. Gone were the culture of drugs and prostitution that once undermined the music. And while chatter and background noise were unavoidable, the venue\u2019s focal point was unmistakable. As Nat Hentoff noted, \u201c[c]ompared to the other clubs in town, listening to a jazz musician at Storyville is like sitting at home with a pair of earphones.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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