The 1950s saw the beginning of documented activities of longtime and well-known Cincinnati jazz musicians such as Dee Felice, Elwood "Woody" Evans, Judy James, Popeye Maupin, and Shirley Jester, among many others. There was much club action, especially at Babe Baker's on Reading Road, Herb Kirschner's Piano Lounge, and clubs and venues in Newport, KY like the Copa Club, which brought in top national acts. The Taft Theater and Castle Farm were the primary venues for national jazz acts in Cincinnati, including Norman Granz's "Jazz at the Philharmonic" series of concerts.

As mentioned earlier, during the days of segregation, Cincinnati Music Hall Ballroom operated under 2 different names: The Topper Club, its entrance on Elm Street, catered to a white clientele; The Greystone Ballroom, its entrance on Central Parkway, catered to Blacks. It was the same room. Cincinnati also had two different Musicians Union locals, one for whites and one for Blacks.

Do you want to see more of the 1950s in Cincinnati jazz? Click on the link to the Annex.

List of Greater Cincinnati 1950s Club and Concert Performances HERE.