Long before jazz had festival stages, it had the small, smoky rooms of basement clubs, neighbourhood cafés, and corner bars. These were the clandestine addresses where anyone with an opinion and a few coins could pull up a stool, take an espresso, and stay a while to listen in, argue, and think out loud.
As Italian-style espresso bars began spreading through North American cities in the 1950s, they carried something the local bar or dance hall couldn't offer: conversation and contemplation. That was the perfect setting for shifting attitudes in jazz at the time, as it moved away from the Swing and Big Band players of the dance floor and towards Bebop you’d sooner sit with and ponder.
For readers who care about Montreal
Create a free account to read this story and access 3 articles per month, plus our weekly Bulletin.














Comments
Welcome to The Main's comments section!
Share your thoughts and join the conversation. Please be respectful and constructive.
No comments yet. Be the first!