New York's: Latin music landsmarks

Latin Beat Magazine, Dec, 2002 by Frank M. Figueroa

The most important Latin music landmark in New York City, however, has to be the Palladium Ballroom on 53rd Street and Broadway. In an article I wrote a few years ago, I stated:

On the corner of Broadway and 53rd Street, in New York City, for twenty years there existed a magic place called the Palladium Ballroom. Access to the Hall of the Mambo Kings was gained by climbing a rather steep staircase. At the foot of these steps there was a ticket booth where one could purchase the right to participate in a unique musical experience. The moment your foot touched this hallowed ground you were captivated by the throbbing Latin rhythms and transported to Mamboland. There you remained in an animated state until you descended back into the reality of Broadway.

The Palladium Ballroom was the Mecca of all good Latin dancers in the Metropolitan Area and remained as such until its closing on May 1, 1966.

Not too far from the Palladium Ballroom on 53rd Street and 7th Avenue was another music landmark that will forever be remembered by Latin musicians--the Lasalle Cafeteria. It was nothing more than a cafeteria with many tables where musicians and other lovers of Latin music met. The Lasalle Cafeteria was open 24 hours a day and one could count on meeting Latin musicians there at any time. It was ideally located next to the China Doll Club and the Palladium Ballroom. It was convenient for musicians from those and other nearby clubs to spend their rest periods at the cafeteria. While sitting at a table sipping a cup of coffee, one could eavesdrop on a conversation among well known artists, get the latest information about job openings, critiques about the performance of popular orchestras and gossip about Latin artists.

Once the Palladium Ballroom closed its doors in 1966, other clubs moved in to take its place. One favorite spot was The Chez José, located at the Hotel Park Plaza, 50 West 77th Street between 8th and Columbus Avenues. Although it opened for business in mid-1965, it did not attract big crowds until 1966. The Chez José closed in 1970.

In the Yorkville section of Manhattan, two dance halls had been trying to lure the Latin dancers for quite some time. They were the Gloria Palace and the Corso Ballroom, located at 205 East 86th Street, off the corner of 3rd Avenue. Ironically, in the early 1930s, Desi Arnaz had introduced the Cuban conga to the predominantly German-American dancers at the Gloria Palace. It was El Corso, however, that became the legitimate heir to the Palladium's Wednesday night dancing devotees. The crowds were so large on Wednesday night that by 1968, El Corso was open to Latin dancers five nights a week.

Monday night has traditionally been a popular night for jazz jam sessions and Latin music descargas (jam sessions). Most musicians are off on that night and are ready to relax, listening to and playing with their peers. In New York City, many of these sessions have been held in small clubs in Greenwich Village. One famous Monday night Latin jazz descarga took place for almost 30 years at the Village Gate, a club located near the corner of Bleeker and Thompson Streets in Manhattan. In 1966, DJ Symphony Sid hosted the first of the "Salsa Meets Jazz" concerts at the Village Gate. Some of the biggest names in Latin music performed there to the delight of thousands of their fans. Sadly, on February 22, 1993, the Village Gate had to close its doors due to financial reasons. Another Latin music venue that must be mentioned is The Cheetah, located on 52nd Street and 8th Avenue. It was the scene of many memorable happenings, including a historic concert by the Fania All-Stars. On the night of August 26, 1971, Fania Records put together an all-star aggregation (including 14 musicians and 7 singers) led by Johnny Pacheco. The concert produced a total of four records, All-Stars Live at the Cheetah, a double album, and Our Latin Thing, also in two volumes. The concert was filmed by Leon Gast and a movie "Our Latin Thing" was released. The nightclub remained a favorite dancing spot for a few years, but eventually fell into hard times and had to close in 1974.