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Saturday Jam 5PM - 8PM
Sunday Jam 4PM - 7PM |
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History |
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Wally's Cafe was established January 1,
1947 in Boston, Massachusetts. The
nightclub is located at the famed
intersection of Massachusetts and
Columbus Avenues. The area was once home
to many of Boston's famous jazz clubs
during the nineteen forties and fifties.
Nightclubs with names like the High Hat,
Savoy Ballroom, Chicken Lane, the Wig
Wam, Big M, and Wally's Paradise played
a major role introducing jazz to the New
England community.
Wally's was founded by Joseph L.
Walcott. Mr. Walcott was a Barbadian who
immigrated to America in 1910. After
reaching Ellis Island, Mr. Walcott,
better known as Wally, joined his
brother, who had migrated a few years
earlier, in Boston. Wally held many
jobs, and with his savings he opened
Wally's Paradise at 428 Massachusetts
Avenue in 1947. Wally was the first
African American to own a nightclub in
New England; he brought new and exciting
acts to town and the nightclub became a
featured attraction for jazz aficionados
who rushed to see the famous bands of
the day.
The Sixties arrived and the Big Band era was diminishing. Wally
maintained his commitment to the music
we know as jazz by featuring young
musicians who were attending prominent
academic institutions such as Berklee
College of Music, the Boston
Conservatory, and the New England
Conservatory of Music. Mr. Walcott
cleverly decided to hire these young
music students and mixed them with
seasoned professionals who were veterans
of the Big Band era. This mix of talent
was special, and the format enabled Mr.
Walcott to continue to serve the jazz
loving audiences of New England.
In 1979 Wally closed its original
location at 428 Massachusetts Avenue and
moved across the street to 427
Massachusetts Avenue the present
location of the nightclub. Wally's Café
now features live music 365 days a year.
Many of the musicians are professionals,
but Wally's still maintains its
tradition of providing students with a
stage to perfect their craft.
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