52nd Street

West Fifty-Second Street was lined with boisterous clubs like Leon & Eddie's and jazz joints like the Onyx and Downbeat. The street had a somewhat shady reputation for drunks and drugs but it was the place to go for the emerging bop scene.

That week Leon & Eddie's, a former speakeasy that was one of the most popular spots for the drinking man, had a full floor show that included a singer, comedian, dance act, novelty act and a stripper, not necessarily the biggest names. See Lee Mortimer's column in the Sunday Mirror for a full review of that week's show. One of its most popular features was a Sunday night tribute to a popular entertainer. Dialect comedian Myron Cohen was the honoree on the 14th. It was a boisterous place, not at all the sophisticated boite that comes to mind when you think of nightclubs.

Mortimer also reviewed the show at Kelly's Stable, where Nan BlaKstone (sic), singer of risque "party songs," was appearing along with two jive bands. (see Mortimer's review).

Coleman Hawkins and Dizzie Gillespie were at the Spotlite and Art Tatum was at the Downbeat.