History

A Storied History

Swing Street: New York City’s 52nd Street in Midtown Manhattan was once the most famous street in New York City. It has a rich musical history and was known as Swing Street in the post prohibition 1930s

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/52nd_Street_(Manhattan)

Following the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, 52nd Street replaced 133rd street as "Swing Street" of the city. The blocks of 52nd Street between Fifth Avenue and Seventh Avenue became renowned for the abundance of jazz clubs and lively street life. The street was convenient to musicians playing on Broadway and the 'legitimate' nightclubs and was also the site of a CBS studio. Musicians who played for others in the early evening played for themselves on 52nd Street.

In the period from 1930 through the early 1950s, 52nd Street clubs hosted such jazz musicians as Louis Prima, Art Tatum, Fats Waller, Billie Holiday, Trummy Young, Harry Gibson, Nat Jaffe, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Marian McPartland, and many more.

Although musicians from all schools performed there, after Minton's Playhouse in uptown Harlem, 52nd Street was the second most important place for the dissemination of bebop;.[1] In fact, a tune called "52nd Street Theme" by Thelonious Monk became a bebop anthem and jazz standard.

Virtually every great jazz player and singer of the era performed at clubs on 52nd Street.

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52nd Street Celebrations!

The City that NEVER sleeps

There’s so much history on 52nd Street. Here’s just one iconic William Gottlieb photo of NYC’s 52nd Street Jazz Clubs in 1948.

The City that NEVER sleeps

Iconic William Gottlieb photo of NYC’s 52nd Street Jazz Clubs in 1948.

Thelonious Monk

The City that NEVER sleeps

Prime Location: Billy Joel

A contrafact based loosely on rhythm changes in C, and was copyrighted by Monk under the title "Nameless" in April 1944. The tune was also called "Bip Bop" by Monk, and he claims that the tune's latter title was the origin of the genre-defining name bebop. It quickly became popular as an opening and closing tune on the clubs on 52nd Street on Manhattan where Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parkerplayed.[2] It was first recorded by Dizzy Gillespie's sextet on February 22, 1946,[3] under the title "52nd Street Theme". Leonard Feather claims he gave the latter title.[2 ] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_compositions_by_Thelonious_Monk

Prime Location: Billy Joel

Billy Joel’s album 52nd Street was recorded at A & R recording studios on West 52nd in Manhattan.

The Party Never Stopped

Prime Location: Billy Joel

So many talented musicians

The great tradition of music, entertainment, & fun on 52nd Street in Midtown Manhattan continues.

So many talented musicians

Prime Location: Billy Joel

So many talented musicians

Music, comedy, private parties, and corporate events continue to enrich this historic street with purpose, talent, and joy. The performers who take the stage at Room 52 NYC bring their talent and share their craft with everyone who walks through our doors. Join us!

A Storied History