Doc’s and the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band: What a Combo!
Recently my wife and I made our first visit to Doc’s, the new (November, 1925) jazz supper club in the old Tower Theater. The entertainment that evening was provided by Gerald French and The Original Tuxedo Jazz Band. It was an incredible evening on two fronts, the venue and the music.
VENUE
The building, at 1201 Westheimer, at Westheimer and Waugh, opened on Valentine’s Day—February 14, 1936. It was designed as a 1,200 seat neighborhood movie Theater, with an Art Deco design and the tall, distinctive tower and neon marquee that eventually became one of Montrose’s best-known landmarks.
It has had many names and as many uses. The last film was shown in 1978 and it became a performing arts theater including musicals, such as The Little Shop of Horrors, Torch Song Trilogy, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Many musical superstars had gigs there in the 1980’s such as Ella Fitzgerald, Pete Seeger, Julian Lennon, Spyro Gyra and Leon Russell.
It morphed in a Hollywood Video that occupied the building for many years, closing in 2009. From 2011 until 2019 it was El Real Tex-Mex Café, then, from 2021 to 2023 it was the Acme Oyster House, and now Doc’s Jazz Club.
“Doc” is Brent Williams, a San Antonio jazz pianist, who opened “Jazz, TX” in San Antonio some years ago. He graduated from UT in Austin with both a masters and a doctorate in music performance, hence the nickname, “Doc.” He heads a house big band, 11 players, that occasionally occupies the stage at Doc’s Jazz Club. He has said that his goal is to present 80% local jazz musicians augmented by 20% national artists.
The 11,000 square foot interior has been completely changed to a venue with a 387 person capacity. This includes a most unique mezzanine area. The seating is cabaret-style, with tables comfortably spaced with a large video screen and a full restaurant and bar.
This place is the real deal and we should all support it.
MUSIC
Now to the band that we heard perform at Doc’s – Gerald French and the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band. The band’s story begins around 1910 in the famed Storyville district of New Orleans. Storyville was the city’s legal red-light district, but it was also one of the most vibrant musical neighborhoods in America. Dance halls, saloons, brothels, and cafés all competed for customers, creating a constant demand for musicians. It was in this environment that cornetist Oscar “Papa” Celestin organized the band that became known as the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band, taking its name from the Tuxedo Dance Hall where it first performed.
The Tuxedo Jazz Band used the famous improvisation of the New Orleans music as well as standard dance classics to appeal to a wide audience. This combination of styles made them one of the top draws in the area, equally at home in the French Quarter as well as the polished homes in the Garden District.
An amazing group of young and coming musicians made their way through the Tuxedo Jazz Band including Louis Armstrong, Lorenzo Tio, Jr., and Johnny St. Cyr. One can only imagine the excitement of hearing such young talent playing regularly with the experienced players of the band.
When the original Tuxedo Dance Hall closed after a violent incident and Storyville itself was shut down by the federal government in 1917, the band survived. Celestin simply took the musicians elsewhere, continuing both the dance orchestra and the famous Tuxedo Jazz Band. This adaptability allowed the ensemble to outlive the very neighborhood that had given it its name.
After Papa Celestin died in 1954, many assumed the band would disappear. Instead, it entered a remarkable second life. Leadership passed first to trombonist Eddie Pierson, then to banjoist Albert “Papa” French, later to Albert’s son Bob French, and today to drummer Gerald French, Albert’s grandson. Few performing ensembles of any kind can claim such continuity across more than a century.
Originally there were two scheduled shows however the second show was cancelled. The result was an unhurried nearly two hour performance of classic New Orleans jazz along with humorous stories thrown in. “Advice” was freely given to the audience – if musicians visit your city DO NOT take them to restaurants that offer food similar to where the band is from – they WILL NOT like it and tell it to you to your face – take them to a local place that stands out with local food offerings and they will at least fake it to you that they liked it! They even incorporated that theme with a song that included the lyrics, “don’t put no weenies in my gumbo!”
Doc’s and the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band – what a combination!
