[Dixielandjazz] Chumley's

[Steve Barbone]

Googled the place and found out it is currently closed, because an interior
wall in the building collapsed. The building itself, which also houses
apartments, was evacuated earlier this year.

Some folks think it is a ploy of the landlord to cancel leases, renovate and
change it to condos. They say she is a notorious landlord in NYC who cares
not for "history" and does similar things with other properties.

Then again 200 years ago there was a stream there and perhaps the whole
block is unstable.

Bill H, it was never a jazz club per se. Just had music every once in a
while to go along with the writers who frequented the joint. James Joyce,
Jack Kerouac (spelling?) etc. Small groups because it is a small place.

Lots of history there since about 1830 when the block was built. Charming
place in the 1940s and 50s and probably still was until the wall collapsed.

Greenwich Village was very happening among the music, art and literary crowd
in those days. Between Chumleys, The Five Spot, Condon's, Nicks, Julius,
Jack Delaney's, Cafe Bohemia, etc., you couldn't help but have a great time
just hanging out and/or people watching, or listening to, or playing jazz.

I wish I could remember all the other small joints in that neighborhood.
Dick Sudhalter had a group playing in one of them, Dick Wellstood at another
and Johnny Windhurst at another. So much great music back then. Those of us
who heard it were very fortunate.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone