In the 1950s, Roxbury was home to some of the top jazz performers in the United States. Lower Roxbury, specifically the area around the intersection of Massachusetts and Columbus Avenues, was the location of several clubs including the Big M, the Hi Hat, and Wally's Paradise. These locales (both segregated and integrated) were venues for local and national performers who played on the Chitlin' Circuit.
During this time, Boston was also home to the country's largest concentration of Pullman Porters and some of the people who would later become associated with America's Civil Rights Movement, including Martin Luther King, Coretta Scott, Malcolm Little (later Malcolm X), and Louis Wolcott (later Louis Farrakhan).
The High Notes of Jazz Roxbury is an oral history project focused on this exciting and dynamic period in Boston's history. Our project is examining this unique confluence of people and activity in American history with the aim of answering two questions:
- Did the movement of jazz musicians and Pullman Porters contribute to the birth of the Civil Rights Movement in Boston and nationally?
- If they did, how?
Central to our investigation are interviews with people who were active in the scene at the time: singers, musicians, club owners, patrons and early civil rights activists. Although the tapestry of that community can never be recreated, we believe that it is essential to record the stories and memories of these men and women before they are no longer available firsthand.
Al Vega (1921-2011)
Musician
Al worked 7-days a week as the house pianist at the Hi-Hat from the late 1930s to the 1950s, and played with many famous jazz personalities including Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Count Basie and Duke Ellington. He later led his own trio and became a staple at Lucky's Lounge, where he played every Sunday night until his passing on December 3, 2011. A beloved figure in local music history, Al's career in jazz spanned over 70 years.
Boston Globe articles:
Pianist's birthday bash is a blast (May 2006)
For 90-year-old Everett jazz man, the gig rolls on and on (July 2011)
Al Vega, 90, Boston piano legend accompanied the giants of jazz (December 2011)
Eric Jackson
Hailed as "The Dean of the Boston jazz scene," Eric Jackson has presided over jazz radio in Boston for over 25 years. A Boston University graduate, he has been on the jazz scene in Boston since the 1970s, and has come to know many of jazz's biggest names. In addition to hosting his award-winning WGBH program "Jazz with Eric in the Evening," Eric also serves as adjunct lecturer for Northeastern University's department of African American Studies.
Mae Arnette
Singer
A top-notch Jazz singer and longtime Roxbury resident, Mae sang for many of jazz's most famous local and national bands, earning her the title "Boston's First Lady of Song." Although known especially for her work in jazz, her career took many turns, including stints in film, education, television, and theater. Always classy, her style and personality light up the camera as well as the stage.
Right: Pauline Bilsky and Mae Arnette at Haley House Bakery Cafe, December 2011
Photograph by Derek Lumpkins
Val Hyman
A lifelong local resident, Val Hyman has been a consistent presence for community development in the South End and Roxbury neighborhoods. During the 1940s and 50s, Val's father owned "Chicken Lane," a popular restaurant among jazz musicians and would-be civil rights activists. Something of an aficionado, Val's knowledge of jazz spans over 60 years of music, and his record collection numbers in the thousands.
Right: Photo from an interview conducted by Luke Walker and Stacy Sutherland. November 2011
Discover Roxbury's 2011-2012 winter History Speaker Series is focused on this topic and the people being interviewed for the project. Our schedule for the series is below:
November 2011: An overview of jazz performers in America
Dr. Emmett Price, Chair of the African American Studies Department and Associate Professor of Music and African-American Studies at Northeastern University, guided participants on a musical lifespan of jazz in the United States and its spread around the globe.
December 2011: The growth of jazz in Boston
Richard Vacca, jazz historian, detailed the rise of Boston's jazz nightlife. Researchers Luke Walker and Stacy Sutherland introduced Mae Arnette, a former singer and style icon.
January 18, 2012: Putting jazz into context: Jim Crow, labor movements, and life on the road
We paused for a few minutes to watch a short video of the late Al Vega playing one of his last gigs at Lucky's Lounge. Afterward, researcher Luke Walker introduced the history of the Pullman Porters, their living and employment conditions, their role in the labor union movement. Local historian Val Hyman also shared his knowledge of labor unions nationally.
February 15, 2012: Jazz and Civil Rights
March 14, 2012: Women in jazz
Interested in participating? You can help! Share photos of the times, sign up to be interviewed, and encourage the people who were there to share stories of club life and daily life. All are welcome to join our monthly presentations about the project. To share or learn more, please contact
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