1814 N St., NW
Located in the basement of the St. Matthew’s Cathedral Parish Club, the Rogue & Jar Public House had previously been an Irish pub with folk music. It was purchased by Harold Kaufman in December 1973. It closed January 14, 1979 due to expired lease.
Owned by pianist/psychiatrist Harold Kaufman; managed by Donna Rogers. Booked by Dottie Dodgion. Food by Eula Witchert and Bob Wyrick. In October 1977, Kaufman sold 70 percent of the club to Bill Paley, Jr., and from then name sometimes appeared as simply “Rogue & Jar.”
Room capacity of 55 (some sources say “74 in several rooms”). In 1977 WPFW-FM broadcast live from the club every other Thursday.
Music policy was initially split between jazz and folk artists.
Recordings by Allen Houser (1974). A 2-LP compilation recorded in August 1975 was issued.
Artists
- Evolution
- Marshall Hawkins
- Reuben Brown
- Allen Houser
- Richie Cole
- Nathen Page
- Buck Hill
- East Coast Offering
- Bernard Sweetney
- Charles Ables
- Ancient Moon Orchestra
- Dottie Dodgion
- Andrew White
- Zoot Sims
- Roy Haynes
- Lee Konitz
- David Murray
- Tommy Flanagan
I came on this site as I had seen a snippet from Dottie Dodgion’s new book about the Rogue and Jar and I wanted to explore that further. Appears that she booked the players and played there herself. Not having the book itself, I don’t have a clear picture of what brought her to DC for a time.
I did make it to the Rogue and Jar one time, just before it closed. Pepper Adams with a rhythm section. I remember that it was Keter Betts on bass. Don’t remember the pianist or drummer. Maybe it was Dottie. I do seem to remember catching her once while I was in DC, and hearing Royal Stokes mention her name.
Actually, as I think about it now, I remember also going there for what I’ve just confirmed was the last gig, Andrew White with Buck Hill. What a surprise to see on discogs that Andrew issued some of that music on the LP, “Saxophonitis.” Andrew’s music does not draw me in. No fond memories of that night–but having caught Pepper less than a month before I was sad the club was closing.