Left Bank Jazz Society
Encyclopedia
The Left Bank Jazz Society is a Baltimore, Maryland-based organization that promotes jazz in Baltimore
. It formed in 1964, hosting a series of concerts featuring nationally acclaimed performers like John Coltrane
and Duke Ellington
. Tapes from these recordings were tied up in legal disputes and not officially released until 2000.
Left Bank was founded by Vernon L. Welsh (b. 10 Feb 1919; d. 8 Aug 2002 Baltimore, Maryland) and Benny Kearse (b. 16 Mar 1930 Allendale, South Carolina
; d. 29 Jun 1999 Baltimore, Maryland). Welsh recorded more than 800 jazz performances at the Famous Ballroom during the 1960s and 1970s. The tapes recorded by Welsh had been stored at the Morgan State University
library for years. Veteran record producer Joel Dorn
of the Label M record company, who acquired the tapes, has begun reissuing them and they have found favor with critics and jazz aficionados.
For seven years, Kearse was president of the group, which sponsored 47 concerts a season at its peak. The Left Bank's first gig was held at the Al-Ho Club, in the 2500 block of Frederick Ave., the year it was founded. After three moves, the society established a long run at the Famous Ballroom in 1967. The hall is the site of the expanded Charles Theater.
Baltimore jazz
Baltimore jazz is a major part of the music of Baltimore, Maryland, and is a field that has produced several well-known artists, including Billie Holliday,...
. It formed in 1964, hosting a series of concerts featuring nationally acclaimed performers like John Coltrane
John Coltrane
John William Coltrane was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. Working in the bebop and hard bop idioms early in his career, Coltrane helped pioneer the use of modes in jazz and later was at the forefront of free jazz...
and Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
. Tapes from these recordings were tied up in legal disputes and not officially released until 2000.
Left Bank was founded by Vernon L. Welsh (b. 10 Feb 1919; d. 8 Aug 2002 Baltimore, Maryland) and Benny Kearse (b. 16 Mar 1930 Allendale, South Carolina
Allendale, South Carolina
Allendale is a town in Allendale County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 4,052 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Allendale County.-Geography:...
; d. 29 Jun 1999 Baltimore, Maryland). Welsh recorded more than 800 jazz performances at the Famous Ballroom during the 1960s and 1970s. The tapes recorded by Welsh had been stored at the Morgan State University
Morgan State University
Morgan State University, formerly Centenary Biblical Institute , Morgan College and Morgan State College , is a historically black college in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Morgan is Maryland's designated public urban university and the largest HBCU in the state of Maryland...
library for years. Veteran record producer Joel Dorn
Joel Dorn
Joel Dorn was an American jazz and R&B music producer and record label entrepreneur. He worked at Atlantic Records, and later founded the 32 Jazz, Label M, and Hyena Records labels...
of the Label M record company, who acquired the tapes, has begun reissuing them and they have found favor with critics and jazz aficionados.
For seven years, Kearse was president of the group, which sponsored 47 concerts a season at its peak. The Left Bank's first gig was held at the Al-Ho Club, in the 2500 block of Frederick Ave., the year it was founded. After three moves, the society established a long run at the Famous Ballroom in 1967. The hall is the site of the expanded Charles Theater.