The Haig

[JamesAHarrod]

I have resumed my examination of Los Angeles jazz clubs from the 1950s. My current subject is The Haig. Interested members can view the first and second installments at:

http://jazzwestcoastresearch.blogspot.com/2018/03/the-haig.html

http://jazzwestcoastresearch.blogspot.com/2018/04/the-haig-part-two.html

Edited April 7, 2018 by JamesAHarrod
Additional url.

[Chuck Nessa]

Thanks for your work.

[paul secor]

Very interesting material. Thanks for posting the link.

[mjzee]

In depth and on point.  Good reading.

[Misterioso]

Very impressive. Thank you.

[Brad]

Great stuff.   Thank you for doing this. It is much appreciated. 

[Big Beat Steve]

Excellent. That fills in a lot of gaps of knowledge. Thanks very much!

[medjuck]

Thanks a lot for this. 

[JSngry]

I've seen that one picture of The Haig from the outside that's been out there for a while, and it sure looks small. How many people/tables did it actually seat,?

[Brad]

Did the dates recorded by Bob Andrews ever make it to CD?

[Clunky]

Many thanks for this and indeed for the wealth of information on your site. 

[JamesAHarrod]

Various sources have reported that The Haig seated a maximum of 85 people including those standing at the bar. When Dick Bank was researching The Haig for his Bud Shank production, After You, Jeru, he visited the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety to look at the planning files for 638 South Kenmore. The four room bungalow was moved to that location around 1932 where it was converted to a cocktail lounge.

Fresh Sound issued the Wardell Gray session, and other sessions have appeared on Japanese CDs over the years, some with wrong dates, etc.

Back when Bob Andrews was actively leasing his recordings the emphasis was on sales appeal, would there be enough collectors interested in the material to justify the cost of making it available. How many people had even heard of Willie Hawkins, the blind pianist from Detroit?

 

[Brad]

Thanks for the quick reply. I wonder if the Andrews recordings was ever looked into by Mosaic. 

[Adam]

Hi,

My mom used to go to the Haig in the 50s.  She passed last year though.

I'm working on a documentary on Big Jay McNeely, and although you are looking at jazz and not R&B, if you happen find any relevant materials regarding him or R & B places in LA in the 50s or 60s, please let me know.

Thank you.

Best regards,

Adam

[Jaffa]

Great research and lots of amazing information. Thanks very much !!

[JamesAHarrod]

Big Jay McNeely did play at the Tiffany Club in the 1950s. Check out Bob Willoughby's Jazz In LA.

[Big Beat Steve]

15 minutes ago, JamesAHarrod said:

Big Jay McNeely did play at the Tiffany Club in the 1950s. Check out Bob Willoughby's Jazz In LA.

You're talking about the huuuuge photo book/folio published by Nieswand in the 90s?

9 hours ago, Adam said:

Hi,

My mom used to go to the Haig in the 50s.  She passed last year though.

I'm working on a documentary on Big Jay McNeely, and although you are looking at jazz and not R&B, if you happen find any relevant materials regarding him or R & B places in LA in the 50s or 60s, please let me know.

 

FWIW, "Nervous Man Nervous", Jim Dawson's biography of Big Jay McNeely, does not list the Haig club in the index of the book (other clubs are listed, though, so this may be an indication that the Haig did not play a (major?) role in his stage appearances).

As for R&B places (and action ...) in LA in the 50s, did you check the liner notes of the Jijmmy Wright (aka Jimmy Wrieght on some releases) "Let's Go Crazy Crazy Baby" LP on Saxophonograph BM-1301? Amazing! (I suppose you have all the Big Jay McNeely LPs on the Mr. R&B labels (Saxophonograph etc.) and therefore are familiar with THOSE liner notes)

 

[JamesAHarrod]

Yes, the Nieswand book. Let me know if you need a copy of the Tiffany ad.

[GA Russell]

Thanks Jim!  I had never seen a photo of Lila Leeds before.

[bluesoul]

Terrific work. Many thanks.

[Quasimado]

Peter Pullman, in his "Wail - The Life of Bud Powell" has several pages on Bud's gig at the Haig in 1954. Sidemen were Curtis Counce and Chuck Thompson. The contract was originally for "at least 6 weeks" but was terminated during the second week due to Bud's drinking and weird behavior. Crowds were initially good ...

Q

[Gheorghe]

On ‎11‎.‎04‎.‎2018 at 10:08 AM, Quasimado said:

Peter Pullman, in his "Wail - The Life of Bud Powell" has several pages on Bud's gig at the Haig in 1954. Sidemen were Curtis Counce and Chuck Thompson. The contract was originally for "at least 6 weeks" but was terminated during the second week due to Bud's drinking and weird behavior. Crowds were initially good ...

Q

It´s a pity that it happened in 1954. That year was the absolute nadir of Bud´s career.

Didn´t Bird also play at the Haig ? I think I remember from the book "To Bird with Love" some angry letters from club owners, maybe the Haig, torwards the union, complaining about erratic performances.......

[Quasimado]

2 hours ago, Gheorghe said:

It´s a pity that it happened in 1954. That year was the absolute nadir of Bud´s career.

Didn´t Bird also play at the Haig ? I think I remember from the book "To Bird with Love" some angry letters from club owners, maybe the Haig, torwards the union, complaining about erratic performances.......

I had a quick look through Ken Vail's "Bird's Diary" (no index) but couldn't find any reference. If it did happen I'm sure James will cover it in his 1954 installment (which I unintentionally preempted - sorry James) ... Q

[Stonewall15]

Are any of Bud Powell's sessions at The Haig available on CD, LP, or Youtube?

[paul secor]

From the description of the gig, I wonder if anyone would really want to hear them.