JoAnn Cheatham

Description

Jo Ann Cheatham narrates her entrance into the world of jazz music and culture. She talks about her memories of the mid-1990s Brooklyn jazz events. Through her work as a counselor for the New York City Public Schools, she met C. Scoby Stroman who took her to various jazz scenes and introduced her to prominent musicians at the time. In particular, Cheatham recalls going to Jazz 966 and the Flamingo Lounge. She became a photographer for Jazz 966 and through her photography met more artists. She acknowledges that she began to advocate for jazz because of C. Scoby Stroman. Cheatham speaks about her work at SOFOCUS (Society of Folks Called Us), an organization started by Stroman, who passed away. Cheatham revitalized the organization by giving musical presentations for three or four years. She remembers her experience at The East and the significance it had as a performance space for musicians and the audience. Cheatham also recalls the various artists she had encountered at The East. Drawing on her experience attending both Brooklyn and Manhattan jazz events, she shares her perspectives on the differences between the borough’s jazz cultures, etiquettes, and audiences. She compares Brooklyn jazz scenes such as Brownies, Slugs, Blue Coronet, Arlington Inn, Akbar Hall, Sista’s Place, Tony’s Grand & Dean to places in Manhattan such as the Blue Note, Baby Grand , St. Nick’s Pub, the Birdland, Jazz Standard, Dizzy’s, Lennox Lounge. Cheatham talks about Jazz A Woman’s Viewpoint and her Pure Jazz Magazine, which came out of...

From Collection

Lost Jazz Shrines

Record Contributed By

Weeksville Heritage Center