George's Spaghetti House
Encyclopedia
George's Spaghetti House was a famous jazz club in Toronto
on Sherbourne street operated by Doug Cole in which Moe Koffman
led the house band. It hosted many famous musicians from Don Francks
to Sonny Rollins
, operating from 1956 through 1984.
George's was equivalent to Mr. Kelly's in Chicago, another famous jazz club in the red light district, open late, with Italian food
, and a tiny stage, garish red and purple lighting, and late night jam sessions; often where unexpected jazz musicians came to play. There were two sets at 9 and 11; and often after-hours sessions as well.
The house band of George's often included Terry Clarke or Jerry Fuller on drums; Don Thompson on bass; and Wray Downs on piano.
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
on Sherbourne street operated by Doug Cole in which Moe Koffman
Moe Koffman
Moe Koffman, OC was a Canadian jazz musician and composer. He played the flute, soprano, alto and tenor saxophone and clarinet...
led the house band. It hosted many famous musicians from Don Francks
Don Francks
Donald Harvey Francks or Iron Buffalo is a Canadian actor, vocalist and jazz musician.- Life and work :Francks was born in Vancouver, British Columbia. He is a drummer, poet, native nations champion, motorcyclist, author and peace activist...
to Sonny Rollins
Sonny Rollins
Theodore Walter "Sonny" Rollins is a Grammy-winning American jazz tenor saxophonist. Rollins is widely recognized as one of the most important and influential jazz musicians. A number of his compositions, including "St...
, operating from 1956 through 1984.
George's was equivalent to Mr. Kelly's in Chicago, another famous jazz club in the red light district, open late, with Italian food
Italian cuisine
Italian cuisine has developed through centuries of social and political changes, with roots as far back as the 4th century BCE. Italian cuisine in itself takes heavy influences, including Etruscan, ancient Greek, ancient Roman, Byzantine, Jewish and Arab cuisines...
, and a tiny stage, garish red and purple lighting, and late night jam sessions; often where unexpected jazz musicians came to play. There were two sets at 9 and 11; and often after-hours sessions as well.
The house band of George's often included Terry Clarke or Jerry Fuller on drums; Don Thompson on bass; and Wray Downs on piano.