Musicians performing at the Twilight Club in Pensacola

Musicians performing at the Twilight Club in Pensacola

Jazz

Goodson, Ida

Performance

The widespread popularity of big band jazz allowed Americans in some cities in the 1920s and 1930s to cross racial boundaries and enjoy the music together. Southern cities were not as permissive as northern cities, but the large military presence in Florida during World War II sometimes allowed for a more permissive racial atmosphere in dancehalls and nightclubs across the deeply segregated state. This was especially true in Pensacola, where naval aviators trained at Pensacola Naval Air Station, Saufley Field, and Ellyson Field. This 1942 photograph of musicians performing at the Twilight Club in Pensacola depicts the open atmosphere. Jazz great Ida Goodson is playing the piano.

Unknown

http://floridamemory.com/items/show/115854

Florida Memory

1942

Image/jpeg

Image

Pensacola, Florida