1990 Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame inductee Clarence J. Love died Feb. 18 at the age of 90. Love was a saxophonist and orchestra leader. His first musical influence was Charles Watts, a protege of ragtime genius Scott Joplin. He first led a touring jazz orchestra in 1924, employing many who went on to fame: Lester Young, Bill "Count" Basie, Billie Holiday, J.J. Johnson, Jim Daddy Walker and Eddie Heywood. As a booking agent in the 1940s, Love discovered guitarist Wes Montgomery. Love toured from 1942 to 1946 with the all-woman orchestra, the Darlings of Rhythm, and later married the piano player. Love returned to Oklahoma in 1946, settling in Tulsa. A couple of years later, he opened Love's Lounge at 604 E. Archer St., the first so-called "black and tan" music club -- that is, a club catering to both a black and white clientele -- in town.
1990 Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame inductee Clarence J. Love died Feb. 18 at the age of 90. Love was a saxophonist and orchestra leader. His first musical influence was Charles Watts, a protege of ragtime genius Scott Joplin. He first led a touring jazz orchestra in 1924, employing many who went on to fame: Lester Young, Bill "Count" Basie, Billie Holiday, J.J. Johnson, Jim Daddy Walker and Eddie Heywood. As a booking agent in the 1940s, Love discovered guitarist Wes Montgomery. Love toured from 1942 to 1946 with the all-woman orchestra, the Darlings of Rhythm, and later married the piano player. Love returned to Oklahoma in 1946, settling in Tulsa. A couple of years later, he opened Love's Lounge at 604 E. Archer St., the first so-called "black and tan" music club -- that is, a club catering to both a black and white clientele -- in town.
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
