Taken from a Harlem newspaper. 1943 - Clark Monroe and his band was being featured at Kelly's Stable is successfully reaching his goal by playing the music to suit everyone's taste. Inspired by Count Basie who presented him with a $1,000 mike set-up Monroe and the band played their first date at the 78th Street Tap Room and then at MURRAIN''S Cabaret, both in New York. The band originated at Monroe's own Uptown House formally located at 134 Street and 7th Avenue where everyone of the theatrical world such as Martha Raye, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Glen Miller and many others to name a few, have sometime or another visited. Before opening the Uptown House, Monroe was an excellent DRUMMER and was a part of dancing team of Monroe and Dailey. |