The Dude Ranch facts for kids
An advertisement that appeared in The Observer, July 31, 1945.
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| Music venue | |
| Founded | early 1940s |
| Headquarters | 240 Broadway Street,
,
United States of America
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| Owner | Pat Patterson and Sherman "Cowboy" Pickett |
The Dude Ranch was a popular jazz club in Portland, Oregon. It was open during World War II in the 1940s. This club was located near North Williams Avenue, a lively Black neighborhood. The Dude Ranch proudly called itself the "Pleasure Spot of the West."
This jazz supper club opened in 1945. It operated for about one year. During that time, it brought amazing jazz musicians to Portland. The Dude Ranch was known as one of Portland's "Black and Tan" jazz clubs in 1945. These were special places where people of all races could enjoy music together.
Contents
Who Owned The Dude Ranch?
The club was owned by Pat Patterson and Sherman "Cowboy" Pickett. Pat Patterson was famous for being the first African American basketball player at the University of Oregon.
Club Style and Entertainment
The club's name, The Dude Ranch, inspired its look. It had murals showing Black cowboys. The waitresses even wore cowgirl outfits! They had holsters and cardboard pistols. The club was also known for its exciting performers. These included "shaker girls" (dancers), jugglers, and tap dancers.
Famous Musicians at The Dude Ranch
Owners Pickett and Patterson booked many popular musicians. Both local and national stars played there. Some famous names included Lionel Hampton, Art Tatum, Louis Armstrong, and Billie Holiday. The Nat “King” Cole trio also performed.
A Special Jazz Session
On December 5, 1945, a touring show called “Jazz at the Philharmonic” visited Portland. This show was led by Norman Granz. After their main performance, they held a special jam session at The Dude Ranch. That night, saxophonist Coleman Hawkins played with trumpeter Roy “Little Jazz” Eldridge. Bassist Al McKibbon and pianist Thelonious Monk also joined in. A writer for The Observer, William McClendon, said it was an amazing night. The Observer was one of Portland's Black newspapers.
The Club in the News
The Observer often wrote about The Dude Ranch. They even had a regular section called "Rhythm Round-Up." The newspaper also ran advertisements for the club.
Why The Dude Ranch Closed
The original Dude Ranch at 240 North Broadway closed in 1946. It was once called "the hottest Black and Tan supper club west of Chicago." Local newspapers mentioned some problems that led to its closure. The Dude Ranch did reopen nearby, but it was not as popular as before.
Other Music Spots in Portland
During that time, other African American music and entertainment spots in the Portland area included:
- Club Acme (1504 N. Williams Avenue, Portland)
- Cotton Club (215 Main Street, Vancouver, Washington)
- Club Monterey (NW Third Avenue near Flanders Avenue, Portland)
See also
- List of music venues in Portland, Oregon
