Jazz research on the Internet: a continuing saga
1300 Rhode Island Avenue, NE in the Rhode Island Plaza building.
Restaurant added live music in June 1953.
After a remodeling, it re-opened as Cafe Celebrity on November 20, 1953. Seating 150.
Uncertain whether the following artists, mentioned as possible future attractions, ever appeared: Nat King Cole, Patti Page, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Sarah Vaughan, and Pearl Bailey.
Continue ReadingDrummer. William Henry Deppenschmidt, III born February 16, 1936 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Father was a professional saxophonist, working at the Roxy-Mastbaum Theater in Philadelphia in the 1930s. Family moved to Richmond, Virginia in 1940. Attended Thomas Jefferson High School in Richmond, Virginia.
Bassist. Merton Alexander Oliver born January 28, 1917 in Herndon, Virginia; died April 19, 1965 in Washington, D.C.
Led group at Log Tavern. Worked with Ralph Hawkins band (1942). Played in Washington sessions organized by Nesuhi Ertegun (1943). Worked with Sonny Dunham (1943-1944), Teddy Powell (1944), Boyd Raeburn (1944), Woody Herman (1949-1950), Elliot Lawrence (1950-1951), Tommy Dorsey (1952).
Baritone saxophonist. Jack Jerome Nimetz born January 11, 1930 in Washington, D.C.; died June 10, 2009 in Studio City, California.
Member of THE Orchestra (1951-1953). Also played with Bob Astor, Daryl Harpa, Mert Oliver.
Joined Woody Herman’s Third Herd, touring and recording from 1953 to 1955, then played with Stan Kenton in 1956 and again from 1959 to 1960.
Drummer and bandleader. Frederick William Merkle, Jr. born December 7, 1928 in Washington, D.C.; died December 13, 1986 in Arlington, Virginia.
Attended Roosevelt High School.
Worked frequently with Bill Potts at clubs including Vineyard and Merry-Land. Led 11-piece band. Recorded Jazz Under the Dome (1957).
Bassist. Norman Edgar Williams born June 7, 1928 in Washington, D.C.; died September 8, 2004 in Martinsburg, West Virginia.
Attended Roosevelt High School. Served in the U.S. Army (1946-1947) and then attended University of Maryland (class of 1952).
Played with various artists at local clubs including the Brown Derby, Stevens Cafe, and Club La Comeur in the early 1950s.