New Orleans Club photograph collection

The New Orleans Club operated in the late 1940s and early 1950s near the Longacres racetrack in Renton. The club featured a chef from New Orleans, a barbeque pit, and live shows with both local musicians such as Ernestine Anderson and traveling acts like Louis Jordan and his band. Billie Holiday also visited the club in 1949. In addition to live performances, the club held other events such as Labor Day picnics which drew crowds from across the state and a Miss Bronze beauty contest. The photographs appear to have been owned by Arthur James Cravens (1911-1984) and his wife Violet A. Cravens (1920-1991) based on inscriptions written by the performers. The 1950 Census lists Arthur Cravens as a doorman at a nightclub. The couple, married in 1947, had an interracial marriage at a time when it was legal in only several states. Arthur was Black and Violet was white. Brief descriptions for each of the photographed performers are included below.

Louis Jordan (1908-1975) was a musician, songwriter and bandleader active during the 1930s through 1950s. Jordan and his Tympany Five band topped R & B charts in the 1940s and recorded with the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and described as the "The Father of Rhythm & Blues" and "The Grandfather of Rock 'n' Roll.”

Ken Murray (1903-1988) began his career as a vaudeville comedian, eventually creating the Blackouts, a variety show with a large cast of actors, dancers, pantomimes, musicians and animals. The first Blackouts show was at Los Angeles’ El Capitan Theater in 1942 and it later became one of the longest running stage shows in history. The show’s star, actress Marie Wilson, started in a record-breaking 3,126 consecutive performances.

Jimmy Jackson was an R & B saxophonist and bandleader. His hit record was “Honkin,” released in 1952 with Jimmy Jackson and the All Stars.

A.G. (Alex G.) Godley (1903-1973) was a jazz drummer who was born in Arkansas and active in Kansas City. He eventually came to live in Seattle where his obituary lists him as a member of the Marine Cooks and Stewards Union and First A.M.E. (African Methodist Episcopal) Church.

Teddy Felton (1919-?) was a dancer specializing in soft shoe and tap dancing who was based out of Portland, Oregon. He sometimes went by the nickname “Harlem Flash.” Felton performed at Seattle’s Lyons Music Hall in 1947, the Palomar in 1950, the Show Box in 1952, and The Colony Restaurant in 1959.

“Taps” Harris guest performer on “From Central to Vine.” Harris performed at The Colony Restaurant in 1965 and 1966 and the Rivoli Theater in 1967.

Pierce and Pierce were a comedy, song and dance duo who performed at the Palomar Theater in 1944 and the Show Box in 1943 and 1944.