Left Bank Jazz Society facts for kids
The Left Bank Jazz Society was a special group in Baltimore, Maryland, that helped share and celebrate jazz music. It started in 1964 and quickly became known for hosting amazing concerts. Many famous jazz musicians, like John Coltrane and Duke Ellington, played at their events.
The society was founded by two important people: Vernon L. Welsh and Benny Kearse. Vernon Welsh was born on February 10, 1919, and passed away on August 8, 2002, in Baltimore. Benny Kearse was born on March 16, 1930, in South Carolina, and passed away on June 29, 1999, in Baltimore.
How the Society Started
Vernon Welsh and Benny Kearse created the Left Bank Jazz Society to bring more jazz to Baltimore. Vernon Welsh was very dedicated and recorded over 800 jazz performances. These recordings were made at a place called the Famous Ballroom during the 1960s and 1970s.
For many years, these valuable recordings were kept safe at the Morgan State University library. Later, a record producer named Joel Dorn from Label M company got the tapes. He started releasing them, and they became very popular with music lovers and critics.
Concerts and Famous Places
Benny Kearse was the president of the Left Bank Jazz Society for seven years. During its busiest time, the group organized 47 concerts in just one season!
The very first concert by the Left Bank Jazz Society was held at the Al-Ho Club in 1964. After moving a few times, the society found a long-term home at the Famous Ballroom in 1967. This ballroom became a well-known spot for jazz music. Parts of a 1980 documentary film, Sun Ra: A Joyful Noise, were even filmed there while the Left Bank Jazz Society was active. Today, the Famous Ballroom is part of the expanded Charles Theatre.
Important Recordings
The Left Bank Jazz Society was known for hosting live performances that were sometimes recorded. Here are some of the recordings that came from their events:
- Jam Gems: Live at the Left Bank - by Freddie Hubbard and Jimmy Heath, released by Label M (recorded in 1965)
- Straight, No Chaser - by Joe Henderson with The Wynton Kelly Trio, released by Verve (recorded in 1968)
- Four - by Joe Henderson with The Wynton Kelly Trio, released by Verve (recorded in 1968)
- The Free Slave - by Roy Brooks (recorded in 1970)
- Left Bank Encores - by Sonny Stitt and Gene Ammons (recorded in 1973)
