Savoy Ballroom - New York, New York
Posted by: 
Janila
N 40° 49.029 W 073° 56.274
18T E 589572 N 4519001
The ballroom no longer exists but the history of this Swing Era racially integrated dance club still whirls in the memories of many of the residents of Harlem.
Waymark Code: WMZGTN
Location: New York, United States
Date Posted: 11/10/2018
Views: 1
Called the Heartbeat of Harlem, this ballroom resided on the main street running through Harlem. Today, the space is occupied by the Savoy Apartments and the memorial to the ballroom exists in a place of honor at one of the entrances. In business from 1926 through 1958, per Wikipedia (
visit link) : "It was opened and owned by white entrepreneur Jay Faggen and Jewish businessman Moe Gale. It was managed by African-American business man and civic leader Charles Buchanan. Buchanan, who was born in the British West Indies, sought to run a "luxury ballroom to accommodate the many thousands who wished to dance in an atmosphere of tasteful refinement, rather than in the small stuffy halls and the foul smelling, smoke laden cellar nightclubs ." Perhaps because of the mixed ethnicity of its owners and manager, the Savoy had a no-discrimination policy and both white and black dancers were judged only by their dancing ability and not their color.
The monument erected in its honor states: "Here once stood the legendary Savoy Ballroom, a hothouse for the development of jazz in the Swing Era. Visually dazzling and spacious, the Savoy nightly featured the finest jazz bands in the nation, and its house bands included such famous orchestras as those of Fess Williams, Chick Webb, and Teddy Hill. The great jazz dancers who appeared on its block-long floor ranged from professionals like Whitey's Lindy Hoppers to everyday Harlemites. During a time of racial segregation and strife, the Savoy was one of the most culturally and racially integrated of institutions, and its fame was international. It was the heartbeat of Harlem's community and a testament to the indomitable spirit and creative impulse of African-Americans. It was a catalyst for innovation where dancers and musicians blended influences to forge new, wide spread and long lasting traditions in music and dance. Whether they attended or not, all Americans knew the meaning of "Stompin' at the Savoy."