Marilyn and Ella

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

This story is probably old news to some of you, and I apologize for that, but I heard it for the first time today.

This is attributed to Ella: “I owe Marilyn Monroe a real debt. It was because of her that I played the Mocambo, a very popular nightclub in the fifties. She personally called the owner of the Mocambo, and told him she wanted me booked immediately, and if he would do it, she would take a front table every night. She told him––and it was true, due to Marilyn’s superstar status––that the press would go wild. The owner said yes, and Marilyn was there, front table, every night. The press went overboard. After that, I never had to play a small jazz club again.”

Wikipedia points out that Ella was not the first black artist to play the Mocambo.

In 2005, a play with the thread title about the incident(by Bonnie Greer) debuted.

[Blue Train]

This story is probably old news to some of you, and I apologize for that, but I heard it for the first time today.

This is attributed to Ella: “I owe Marilyn Monroe a real debt. It was because of her that I played the Mocambo, a very popular nightclub in the fifties. She personally called the owner of the Mocambo, and told him she wanted me booked immediately, and if he would do it, she would take a front table every night. She told him––and it was true, due to Marilyn’s superstar status––that the press would go wild. The owner said yes, and Marilyn was there, front table, every night. The press went overboard. After that, I never had to play a small jazz club again.”

Wikipedia points out that Ella was not the first black artist to play the Mocambo.

In 2005, a play with the thread title about the incident(by Bonnie Greer) debuted.

I saw the Bonnie Greer play in the UK.

While they did previously allow a "very few" to perform it still had a major color bar. The three allowed had lighter-skin coloring and/or females which their sex appeal was a major factor. That's even if you consider Herb Jeffries to be black. As I understand it.....for whatever reason like Keith Jarrett he passed as black.

Ella wasn't allowed to perform because of her race and she wasn't Ertha Kitt, or Joyce Bryant in appearance.



She also may or may not have dated someone who was black.

[clinthopson]

The MOcambo was one of the last of the segregated clubs in L.A. Many jazz clubs, The Crescendo, The Haig and the Lighthouse for example had many black artists throughout the 50s.

Swanky joints like Mocambo, Ciro's and Coconut Grove kept segregation in place.

[Bourne]

Great story!