Noal Cohen's Jazz History Website

Jazz History and Discography

Major Artist Appearances 1955

DateVenueArtistComments
Jan 04Squeezer'sBeryl Booker and Slam Stewart"Held Over"; Also listed on February 8, 15, 18 and 23
Jan 24-25Auditorium TheaterEthel Waters
Feb 18Auditorium TheaterBirdland Stars of '55Sarah Vaughan, Count Basie Orchestra, Joe Williams, George Shearing Quintet, Erroll Garner Trio, Stan Getz, Lester Young; Shows at 7:00 and 9:30 PM; Review says Pres played Jumpin' At the Woodside, I'm Confessin' and Every Tub
Feb 25-27Ridge Crest InnBette McLaurinAlso Johnny Vieth Quartet
Mar 11-13Ridge Crest InnBennie GreenAlso Johnny Vieth Quartet
Mar 25-27Ridge Crest InnStuff Smith Trio
Apr 01-03Ridge Crest InnColeman HawkinsAlso Johnny Vieth Quartet
Apr 08-10Ridge Crest InnRoy Eldridge
Apr 15Dick's 620 ClubDon Elliott QuartetTwo weeks
Apr 23-24Ridge Crest InnBabs Gonzales, Paul Quinichette"Rock 'N Roll Festival"; also Bill Traikoff Orchestra
Apr 29 - May 01Ridge Crest InnWild Bill MooreAlso Bill Traikoff band
May 02-08Dick's 620 ClubJoe Holiday
May 06-08Ridge Crest InnPaul Quinichette & Jimmy RushingAlso Bill Traikoff band
May 13University of Rochester, Strong AuditoriumMax KaminskySponsored by Men's Student Association
May 09-14Dick's 620 ClubGeorge Wallington
May 20-22Ridge Crest InnJoe Carroll
May 23-29Dick's 620 ClubJohnny Smith Quartet
May 27-29Ridge Crest InnJimmy Rushing
May 30-Jun 05Dick's 620 ClubJoe Roland Quintet
Jun 04-06Ridge Crest InnWild Bill Moore
Jun 13-19Surf ClubGeorge Shearing Sextet
Jun 13-19Dick's 620 ClubBud Freeman, George WettlingBill Barrett, who was in attendance, reports that Dave Bowman was scheduled
to be the pianist but was replaced by a college student
named Jim Andrews.
Jun 20-Jul 03Dick's 620 ClubAustralian Jazz QuartetBryce Rohde (p), Errol Buddle (ts, bsn), Jack Brokensha (vib, d), Dick Healy (b,as, ts, f); held over for 2nd week
Jun 24-26Ridge Crest InnJoya Sherrill
Jun 24Golden GrillLouis ArmstrongAnd All Star Revue
Jul 13-16Boston HarborDon Elliott
Jul 18-24Surf ClubErroll Garner Trio
Sep 11Golden GrillDuke Ellington OrchestraReview in 55/09/12 Times Union; Johnny Hodges, Harry Carney,
Willie Cook, Ray Nance, Clark Terry, Cat Anderson, Quentin Jackson,
Britt Woodman, John Sanders, Russell Procope, Paul Gonsalves, Jimmy
Hamilton, Jimmy Woode, Sam Woodyard, Jimmy Grissom
Sep 23-25Ridge Crest InnBennie GreenAlso Bill Traikoff band
Oct 1-2Surf ClubHarry James OrchestraWith Jilla Webb, Juan Tizol, Willie Smith, Bob Marlo, Bob Braman
Nov 15-20Band BoxAl Belletto Sextet
Nov 18Auditorium TheaterJazz Show of 1955Dave Brubeck Quartet with Paul Desmond, Gerry Mulligan Sextet
with Zoot Sims and Bob Brookmeyer, Carmen McRae, Australian Jazz
Quartet; Will Moyle (WVET) presents; In review, "Aussie's steal jazz limelight"
Nov 21-27Band BoxJohnny Smith Quartet
Nov 28-Dec 04Band BoxErroll Garner TrioEddie Calhoun (b), Denzil Best (d)
Dec 04Town CasinoSarah Vaughan
Dec 09-11Band BoxAl Belletto Sextet
Dec 12-18Band BoxJ.J. Johnson & Kai Winding Quintet

Note: This list is not comprehensive. Many clubs did not advertise their bookings. The information is taken from microfilm of the Rochester Times-Union stored at the main library in Rochester, NY.

Rochester, NY Venue Locations:
Auditorium Theater – 875 Main St. E.
Band Box = Squeezer’s – 420 State St.
Boston Harbor – 1 block east of Eastman Theater
Dick’s 620 Club – 620 Clinton Ave. No.
Golden Grill = Mardi Gras – 4775 Lake Ave.
Ridge Crest Inn – 1982 Ridge Rd. E.
Surf Club – 752 Edgemere Dr.

Town Casino – 681 Main St, Buffalo, NY