 
Jimg
Member
Username: Jimg
Post Number: 765
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 12, 2007 - 6:55 am: |    |
Ed Sarkesian, 89, passed early this week.
Mr. Sarkesian owned the Rouge Lounge on Coolidge Highway in River Rouge, a bowling alley and nightclub, from 1952-58. The club was a major outlet for national jazz talent in the Detroit area. Oscar Peterson, Gene Krupa, Terry Gibbs, Clifford Brown/Max Roach played the Rouge Lounge. Some of the musicians, like Peterson and Gibbs, became lifelong friends of Mr. Sarkesian. The Rouge (like Klein's Show Bar) did not discriminate because of race, which endeared him to many jazz lovers and musicians. He endured numerous instances of police harassment but was unfazed. He also welcomed integrated bands, like Terry Gibbs', which featured Det piano/vibes wiz Terry Pollard. Det musicians like Barry Harris and Kenny Burrell worked regularly at the Rouge during weeknights.
After selling his club Mr. Sarkesian produced Detroit's first jazz festivals at the State Fairgrounds in the late 1950s. Miles, Brubeck, Duke, all played the festival. Mr. Sarkesian also managed Peter, Paul and Mary and a young Bob Dylan in the early 60s.
He was a warm, sincere individual with a no-nonsense attitude.
(Message edited by jimg on January 12, 2007) |
Citylover
Member
Username: Citylover
Post Number: 2023
Registered: 07-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, January 13, 2007 - 11:32 am: | |
Jim, thanks for posting this.Detroits music history is very interesting. It is too bad that this and other posts you provide don't seem to muster as much interest as they should.
If anyone that professes an interest in Detroit history ignored this that is too bad.The Detroit jazz scene of today can be traced back to he stuff Jim gives us from time to time. Next time Kenn Cox is playing publicly stop by and ask him about the guys that came before him.
And if any of you don't have the book .."Before motown".. by Jimg and Lars b get it and get John Cohasseys bok about Sunnie Wilson . |
Jimg
Member
Username: Jimg
Post Number: 766
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, January 13, 2007 - 5:09 pm: | |
Thanks for dropping by, Citylover, I'm sure folks read this post but it is without context and probably means nothing. And you're right, it is part of Det's history and it is important.
Later this year Lars and I will publish an article on our website about Mr. Sarkesian and Det's first jazz festivals. |
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