2718 Georgia Ave., NW
Formerly Sabbatical Leave. Opened October 19, 1984. Owner Mickey Lewis. Booking manager Chips Bayen (1985-), Andre Smith (1987).
Room capacity of 90 (or 125).
Live jazz was presented sporadically during the club’s existence. Philly Joe Jones was resident drummer in 1984-85, and the Hilltop Pub gained a reputation as a prime destination for bebop. William A. Brower wrote, “When Woody’s [sic] is happening, it’s just about the best vibe in town.” (WI 3/20/85 p.16) Local rhythm sections accompanied visiting artists with Reuben Brown (p) and Billy Hart (d) appearing frequently in 1985 and 1986. Pianist-vocalist Alvin Coleman played weekdays in the early evening.
In early March 1985, the club was temporarily closed due to vandalism. (WI 3/20/85 p.16) It also closed later that spring for remodeling, reopening in September 1985. (WI 9/25/85 p.19) A regular Thursday feature for saxophonist Gary Thomas was short-lived, and the booking of weekend national jazz acts also ended in December 1985. Organist-vocalist Sedatrius Brown appeared regularly in the interim. Brown also played a long stretch in the summer of 1986. The early months of 1988 featured piano trios led by Eddie Hayter (January) and Mark Ellicott (February). The club again tried a policy for national acts in June 1989.
Artists
1984Mickey Bass
Carl Grubbs
K. Shalong
Keith Killgo
Carl Grubbs
Charlie Rouse
Bill Hardman
Philly Joe Jones and Freddie Redd
Junior Cook
Clifford Jordan
James Moody
Charlie Rouse
Philly Joe Jones
Buck Hill and Junior Cook
Carter Jefferson
Frank Wess
Freddie Cole
George Coleman
George Coleman
Jimmy Heath
Archie Shepp
James Moody
Jimmy Heath
Al Hibbler
Jimmy McGriff
David ‘Fathead’ Newman
Groove Holmes
George Coleman
Sedatrius Brown
Archie Shepp
Sedatrius Brown
Charlie Rouse
Sedatrius Brown
Groove Holmes
Houston Person
Sedatrius Brown
Hank Crawford
Sedatrius Brown
Archie Shepp
Sedatrius Brown
Arnae
Doug Carn
Kamal Aboul Alin
Harper Brothers
Norman Connors
Arnae
Hank Crawford
Arnae
Nasar Abadey
Arthur Prysock
Gary Thomas
Mark Ellicott
Doug Carn
George Coleman
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