1944-1950s
104 1/2 23rd Ave. E., corner E. Madison St.
Officially known as the Washingon Social and Educational Club, this fabled upstairs venue in the East Madison district was the proving ground for a host of young Seattle jazzers, including Quincy Jones, Ernesttine Anderson and Patti Bown. Everyone played the Washington Social Club and when a famous band like Dizzy Gillespie’s came through town, the sidemen showed up here after the gig, to the delight of Jones, who said this was where you could pick up on the latest happenings from New York. A medium-sized place with a formal bandstand, the Washington Social Club was a membership affair, which in principle allowed its owner Sy Groves to serve “set-ups” legally to his thirsty members. Photographs of Ernestine Anderson performing here exist, but none of Lester Young, who played the club for six weeks in 1948.
Jackson Street After Hours (print only). No known online links.