On January 18, 1944, the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City hosted a jazz concert for the first time. The performers included Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, Artie Shaw, Roy Eldridge and Jack Teagarden.
Located on Broadway at Lincoln Square in the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City, the Metropolitan Opera House is part of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the theater opened in 1966. The Metropolitan Opera House is the home of the Metropolitan Opera Company (the "Met"), which was founded in 1880. Prior to the opening of the Lincoln Center, Metropolitan Opera House was located at Broadway and 39th St.
Esquire Magazine, like Metronome and Downbeat, popularized itself and jazz music by conducting reader's polls in order to designate certain musicians as being "on top." Eventually, Esquire recast its version of the contest as a Critic's Poll. Using a point system to award highest honors, Esquire's judges selected established artists representing swing, the established form of jazz. On January 18, 1944, 19 of the performers who had been assigned the greatest number of points gathered at the Metropolitan Opera House (then at Broadway and 39th St.) for an "All-American" concert jam of remarkable dimensions. Admission was paid in the form of war bonds, and established popularity was considered crucial in order to draw sufficient crowds. This event served to perforate an artificial, elitist barrier, for were it not for the bond drive, it is said, the Met would never have opened its doors to jazz in 1944.
The evening included performances by Louis Armstrong (trumpet, vocals), Benny Goodman (clarinet), Lionel Hampton (vibraphone), Artie Shaw (clarinet), Roy Eldridge (trumpet), Jack Teagarden (trombone, vocals), Oscar Pettiford (bass), Barney Bigard (clarinet), Sidney Catlett (drums), Al Casey (guitar), Art Tatum (piano), Teddy Wilson (piano), Coleman Hawkins (tenor saxophone), Billie Holiday (vocals), Mildred Bailey (vocals), Red Norvo (xylophone), and others. Some of the music was recorded on acetates for use by the Armed Forces and portions of the evening's entertainment were broadcast over the airwaves.
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Located on Broadway at Lincoln Square in the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City, the Metropolitan Opera House is part of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the theater opened in 1966. The Metropolitan Opera House is the home of the Metropolitan Opera Company (the "Met"), which was founded in 1880. Prior to the opening of the Lincoln Center, Metropolitan Opera House was located at Broadway and 39th St.
Esquire Magazine, like Metronome and Downbeat, popularized itself and jazz music by conducting reader's polls in order to designate certain musicians as being "on top." Eventually, Esquire recast its version of the contest as a Critic's Poll. Using a point system to award highest honors, Esquire's judges selected established artists representing swing, the established form of jazz. On January 18, 1944, 19 of the performers who had been assigned the greatest number of points gathered at the Metropolitan Opera House (then at Broadway and 39th St.) for an "All-American" concert jam of remarkable dimensions. Admission was paid in the form of war bonds, and established popularity was considered crucial in order to draw sufficient crowds. This event served to perforate an artificial, elitist barrier, for were it not for the bond drive, it is said, the Met would never have opened its doors to jazz in 1944.
The evening included performances by Louis Armstrong (trumpet, vocals), Benny Goodman (clarinet), Lionel Hampton (vibraphone), Artie Shaw (clarinet), Roy Eldridge (trumpet), Jack Teagarden (trombone, vocals), Oscar Pettiford (bass), Barney Bigard (clarinet), Sidney Catlett (drums), Al Casey (guitar), Art Tatum (piano), Teddy Wilson (piano), Coleman Hawkins (tenor saxophone), Billie Holiday (vocals), Mildred Bailey (vocals), Red Norvo (xylophone), and others. Some of the music was recorded on acetates for use by the Armed Forces and portions of the evening's entertainment were broadcast over the airwaves.
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