City - Chicago - IL - Club DeLisa 1941 Tissue Paper

Colorized photo from 1941 Original title: Negro bar, Southside Chicago, IL Photographer: Russell Lee Location: 5521 S. State Street, Chicago, IL This is the New Club Delisa, not to be mistaken for the original version that burned down in 1941. This is the second version, built in 1941, a little down the street from the original (which was opened in 1933). It was owned by Italian immigrants, four brothers named DeLisa. While it was technically called the New Club Delisa, they simply called it Club Delisa. Club Delisa, was an African-American nightclub, but was very politically correct because they also allowed LGBTQ to also join. It was the most prestigious venue in the city, and together with the Regal Theater and the Rhumboogie Cafe, Club Delisa played a key role in the city's association with jazz, blues, rhythm and soul music. They had nightly entertainment, which featured singers, comedians, dancers and the DeLisa Chorines (lady dancers). They also had their own house band that had any where between 7 to 12 pieces. They didn't just make money in shows. When prohibition was still active, they had a speak easy inside. They also had 24 hour a day gambling in the basement. There were many famous people that played there as well: Red Saunders, Fletcher Henderson, Count Basie, Sun Ra, Johnny Pate, Joe Williams, and many others. The doors closed in 1958 when two of the brothers died.