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Coordinates: 39°21′44″N 74°25′54″W / 39.36222°N 74.43167°W / 39.36222; -74.43167
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{{Infobox theatre
{{Infobox venue
| name = Wonder Gardens
| name = Wonder Gardens
| image = Wonder Bar Atlantic City 1940.jpg
| image = Wonder Bar Atlantic City 1940.jpg
| caption = Wonder Bar, 1940
| caption = Wonder Bar, 1940
| former names = Wonder Bar
| former names = Wonder Bar
| address = 1601 Arctic Avenue
| address = 1601 Arctic Avenue
| city = [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]]
| city = [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]]
| country = United States
| country = United States
| type = [[Nightclub]]
| type = [[Nightclub]]
| opened = c. 1929
| opened = c. 1929
| closed = 2001
| closed = 2001
| owner = Charles Randall, [[B.B. King]]
| owner = Charles Randall, [[B.B. King]]
| capacity =
| capacity =
| coordinates = {{coord|39|21|44|N|74|25|54|W|type:landmark_region:US|display=inline,title}}
| latd = 39
| latm = 21
| pushpin_map = USA New Jersey Atlantic City
| lats = 44
| pushpin_mapsize =
⚫
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Atlantic City
| latNS = N
| longd = 74
| longm = 25
| longs = 54
| longEW = W
| coordinates_display = inline,title
| iso_region = US
| pushpin_map = Atlantic City NJ
| pushpin_mapsize =
⚫
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Atlantic City
}}
}}
'''Wonder Gardens''' (also known as '''Wonder Bar''') was a jazz and [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]] nightclub at 1601 Arctic Avenue in [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]]. Established around 1929, it was one of four black-owned nightclubs in the black entertainment district on Kentucky Avenue. Between the Wonder Gardens, [[Club Harlem]], the [[Paradise Club (Atlantic City, New Jersey)|Paradise Club]], and [[Grace's Little Belmont]], the music played all night and into the morning in the district's heyday in the 1940s through 1960s. Presenting both popular jazz musicians and new talent, the Wonder Gardens provided early exposure for [[Dan Fogel (musician)|Dan Fogel]], [[Harvey Mason]], [[George Benson]], and the [[Commodores]]. Over the years, the music changed from jazz to rock, soul, and pop music.<ref name=disco/> In 1979 the club was renovated, redecorated and renamed the Latin Wonder Gardens, featuring live Afro-Cuban musical entertainment. In 1991 it underwent a second renovation and name change to the New Wonder Gardens, featuring Latin, jazz, R&B, hiphop, and reggae acts. The club was sold in 2001 and was later demolished.
'''Wonder Gardens''' (also known as '''Wonder Bar''') was a jazz and [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]] nightclub at 1601 Arctic Avenue in [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]]. Established around 1929, it was one of four black-owned nightclubs in the black entertainment district on Kentucky Avenue. Between the Wonder Gardens, [[Club Harlem]], the [[Paradise Club (Atlantic City, New Jersey)|Paradise Club]], and [[Grace's Little Belmont]], the music played all night and into the morning in the district's heyday in the 1940s through 1960s. Presenting both popular jazz musicians and new talent, the Wonder Gardens provided early exposure for [[Dan Fogel (musician)|Dan Fogel]], [[Harvey Mason]], [[George Benson]], and the [[Commodores]]. Over the years, the music changed from jazz to rock, soul, and pop music.<ref name=disco/> In 1979 the club was renovated, redecorated and renamed the Latin Wonder Gardens, featuring live Afro-Cuban musical entertainment. In 1991 it underwent a second renovation and name change to the New Wonder Gardens, featuring Latin, jazz, R&B, hiphop, and reggae acts. The club was sold in 2001 and was later demolished.


==History==
==History==
Originally called Wonder Bar, the jazz nightspot opened around 1929 at 1601 Arctic Avenue, on the southwest corner of Kentucky Avenue and Arctic Avenue.<ref name=disco>{{cite web |url=https://books.google.co.il/books?id=ciQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT78 |title=Atlantic City Opens 2 More Dance Clubs|journal=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=18 August 1979|accessdate=19 August 2016}}</ref><ref name=jersey>{{cite web |url=http://jerseyshorenightbeat.blogspot.co.il/2008/07/kentucky-avenue-nights.html|title=Kentucky Avenue Nights|date=28 July 2008|accessdate=21 August 2016|publisher=jerseyshorenightbeat}}</ref><ref name=magic/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2205&dat=19530721&id=q_glAAAAIBAJ&sjid=bfUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3779,7779212|title=Advertisement for the Wonder Bar Garden|publisher=Baltimore Afro American|date=July 21, 1953|accessdate=August 26, 2016}}</ref> In the 1940s and 1950s it was owned by Charles Randall.<ref name=under/><ref>{{cite news |url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2205&dat=19530721&id=q_glAAAAIBAJ&sjid=bfUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3779,7779212|title=Wonder Bar Garden Ad|date=21 July 1953|newspaper=The Afro-American|page=17}}</ref> At one point [[B.B. King]], a frequent performer at Club Harlem, became a part-owner of the Wonder Gardens and began appearing here exclusively two weekends a year.<ref name=jersey/>
Originally called Wonder Bar, the jazz nightspot opened around 1929 at 1601 Arctic Avenue, on the northwest corner of Kentucky Avenue and Arctic Avenue.<ref name=disco>{{cite journal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ciQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT78 |title=Atlantic City Opens 2 More Dance Clubs|journal=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=18 August 1979|access-date=19 August 2016 }}</ref><ref name=magic/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2205&dat=19530721&id=q_glAAAAIBAJ&pg=3779,7779212|title=Advertisement for the Wonder Bar Garden|publisher=Baltimore Afro American|date=July 21, 1953|access-date=August 26, 2016}}</ref> In the 1940s and 1950s it was owned by Charles Randall.<ref name=under/><ref>{{cite news |url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2205&dat=19530721&id=q_glAAAAIBAJ&pg=3779,7779212|title=Wonder Bar Garden Ad|date=21 July 1953 |newspaper=The Afro-American |page=17}}</ref> At one point [[B.B. King]], a frequent performer at Club Harlem, became a part-owner of the Wonder Gardens and began appearing here exclusively two weekends a year.


In July 1940 the Wonder Bar, Club Harlem, the Paradise Club, and Grace's Little Belmont were raided by police, led by the newly elected mayor, Tom Taggart, seeking proof of illegal gambling activities. The police confiscated "three truckloads of gambling paraphernalia" and arrested 32, then shut down the four clubs.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1915&dat=19400729&id=jactAAAAIBAJ&sjid=enEFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3696,2286807|title=Mayor Leads Atlantic City Raid Squads|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=[[The Day (New London)|The Day]]|date=29 July 1940|page=12}}</ref> The arrestees from the Wonder Bar included Randall, John Doyle, and Albert Leighton, who all pleaded not guilty and were released on bail.<ref name=under>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2211&dat=19400817&id=WuZfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=FQMGAAAAIBAJ&pg=3658,5761524|title=H. Daniels Under $5,000 Bail in Shore Vice War|newspaper=The Afro-American|date=17 August 1940|page=3}}</ref><ref name=usual/> The next day the clubs were open for business as usual.<ref name=usual>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6144884/atlantic_city_raidsa_day_later/|title=Business 'Going On As Usual' After Sepia Night Life Circle Raids in Atlantic City|newspaper=[[Pittsburgh Courier]]|author=Rowe, Billy|date=August 10, 1940|page=20|accessdate=August 7, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{openaccess}}</ref> The raid followed a period of unease between the new mayor and black citizens of Atlantic City's north side; earlier, Taggert had filed a restraining order against a white dancer, who bathed in milk during her performance, from appearing at Randall's black club.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2211&dat=19400730&id=ZkxGAAAAIBAJ&sjid=cOUMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1123,2967509|title=Milk Dancer, White, Barred|date=30 July 1940|newspaper=The Afro-American|page=6}}</ref>
In July 1940 the Wonder Bar, Club Harlem, the Paradise Club, and Grace's Little Belmont were raided by police, led by the newly elected mayor, Tom Taggart, seeking proof of illegal gambling activities. The police confiscated "three truckloads of gambling paraphernalia" and arrested 32, then shut down the four clubs.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1915&dat=19400729&id=jactAAAAIBAJ&pg=3696,2286807|title=Mayor Leads Atlantic City Raid Squads|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=[[The Day (New London)|The Day]]|date=29 July 1940 |page=12}}</ref>{{efn|Taggart began the action by calling 40 policemen into his office, strapping on a revolver and stating, "Come on, we're going places."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/profile/we-hope/clipnumber/75087/|title=Shore Mayor Conducts Raid|date=July 29, 1940|page=3|publisher=Chester Times|access-date=August 28, 2016}}{{open access}}</ref><!--Comment Publication renewals were checked for the years 1947 & 1948; The Chester Times was not renewed.-->}} The arrestees from the Wonder Bar included Randall, John Doyle, and Albert Leighton, who all pleaded not guilty and were released on bail.<ref name=under>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2211&dat=19400817&id=WuZfAAAAIBAJ&pg=3658,5761524|title=H. Daniels Under $5,000 Bail in Shore Vice War|newspaper=The Afro-American|date=17 August 1940|page=3}}</ref><ref name=usual/> The next day the clubs were open for business as usual.<ref name=usual>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6144884/atlantic_city_raidsa_day_later/|title=Business 'Going On As Usual' After Sepia Night Life Circle Raids in Atlantic City|newspaper=[[Pittsburgh Courier]]|author=Rowe, Billy|date=August 10, 1940|page=20|access-date=August 7, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{openaccess}}</ref>{{efn|The mayor conducted a second raid two weeks later of the Wonder Bar, Little Belmont and Club Harlem. This raid found no gambling equipment or patrons at any of these clubs. Upon raiding the establishments and finding nothing, Taggart's comment was, "I heard these wise guys were going to try to open up again."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/profile/we-hope/clipnumber/74981/|title=Atlantic City Mayor Revisits Three Clubs|date=August 10, 1940|page=19|publisher=Hanover Evening Sun|access-date=August 28, 2016}}{{open access}}</ref>}} The raid followed a period of unease between the new mayor and black citizens of Atlantic City's north side; earlier, Taggart had filed a restraining order against a white dancer, who bathed in milk during her performance, from appearing at Randall's black club.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2211&dat=19400730&id=ZkxGAAAAIBAJ&pg=1123,2967509|title=Milk Dancer, White, Barred|date=30 July 1940|newspaper=The Afro-American|page=6}}</ref>


In 1979 the Wonder Gardens was renovated and redecorated as a Latin [[disco]], with a new sound system, and renamed the Latin Wonder Gardens. Featuring Afro-Cuban musical entertainment, the club announced that Joe Cuba would be the house band; opening acts included [[Típica 73]], [[Vitín Avilés]], and Mayro & Silvio's Cuban Rumba Dancers.<ref name=disco/> In 1991 the club underwent a second renovation and name change to the New Wonder Gardens, now offering Latin, jazz, R&B, [[hiphop]], and [[reggae]] music.<ref name=soko>{{cite web |url=http://articles.philly.com/1992-06-27/news/26030692_1_club-harlem-hammond-organ-commodores|title=A Rebirth-day Party: Kentucky Avenue Once Was The Place To Be – Its Joint Serving Up Atlantic City's Best Ribs And Rhythm And Blues. It Will Be All That Again This Weekend|first=William H.|last=Sokolic|date=27 June 1992|accessdate=22 August 2016|work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]}}</ref> The 2000 edition of ''[[Lonely Planet]]''{{`s}} ''New York City'' listed the Wonder Gardens as a jazz club in its Atlantic City excursions section.{{sfn|Ellis|2000|p=244}} Dancer [[LeRoy Myers]] purchased the club in the 1970s and sold it in 2001.{{sfn|Willis|Hodges|2006|p=233}}
In 1979 the Wonder Gardens was renovated and redecorated as a Latin [[disco]], with a new sound system, and renamed the Latin Wonder Gardens. Featuring Afro-Cuban musical entertainment, the club announced that Joe Cuba would be the house band; opening acts included [[Típica 73]], [[Vitín Avilés]], and Mayro & Silvio's Cuban Rumba Dancers.<ref name=disco/> In 1991 the club underwent a second renovation and name change to the New Wonder Gardens, now offering Latin, jazz, R&B, [[hip hop music|hip hop]], and [[reggae]] music.<ref name=soko>{{cite web |url=http://articles.philly.com/1992-06-27/news/26030692_1_club-harlem-hammond-organ-commodores|title=A Rebirth-day Party: Kentucky Avenue Once Was The Place To Be – Its Joint Serving Up Atlantic City's Best Ribs And Rhythm And Blues. It Will Be All That Again This Weekend|first=William H.|last=Sokolic|date=27 June 1992|access-date=22 August 2016|work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]}}</ref> The 2000 edition of ''[[Lonely Planet]]''{{`s}} ''New York City'' listed the Wonder Gardens as a jazz club in its Atlantic City excursions section.{{sfn|Ellis|2000|p=244}} Dancer [[LeRoy Myers]] purchased the club in the 1970s and sold it in 2001.{{sfn|Willis|Hodges|2006|p=233}}

==Description==
The interior featured two long bars straddling the walls and narrow tables for guests set up in front of the stage.<ref name=jersey/>


==Performers==
==Performers==
Throughout its history, the Wonder Gardens presented both popular musicians and new talent.<ref name=soko/> In the late 1950s [[Dan Fogel (musician)|Dan Fogel]] began hanging around the Kentucky Avenue clubs regularly at the age of 10, shining shoes and listening in on top jazz organists like [[Richard Holmes (organist)|Groove Holmes]], [[Larry Young (musician)|Larry Young]], [[Jimmy Smith (musician)|Jimmy Smith]], and [[Jimmy McGriff]] playing the [[Hammond organ|Hammond B3 organ]] at the Wonder Gardens and Club Harlem. With his shoeshine earnings, Fogel bought a Hammond organ at age 11 and at age 13 debuted at the Wonder Gardens.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.danfogel.org/bio.shtml|title=Bio|publisher=danfogel.org|accessdate=22 August 2016}}</ref> At age 16 Fogel was leading the Wonder Gardens [[house band]], which included his [[Atlantic City High School]] classmate [[Harvey Mason]] on drums.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.danfogel.org/images/press/acweekly.shtml|title=The Swing King of Marven Gardens|first=Jeff|last=Schwachter| accessdate=22 August 2016|work=[[Atlantic City Weekly]]}}</ref> Mason recalled that the band regularly played the "breakfast show" at the Wonder Gardens from 4 AM to 10 AM in the 1960s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.moderndrummer.com/site/2014/08/influences-harvey-mason-interview/|title=Influences: Harvey Mason|date=19 August 2014|accessdate=22 August 2016|work=[[Modern Drummer]]}}</ref>
Throughout its history, the Wonder Gardens presented both popular musicians and new talent.<ref name=soko/> In the late 1950s [[Dan Fogel (musician)|Dan Fogel]] began hanging around the Kentucky Avenue clubs regularly at the age of 10, shining shoes and listening in on top jazz organists like [[Richard Holmes (organist)|Groove Holmes]], [[Larry Young (musician)|Larry Young]], [[Jimmy Smith (musician)|Jimmy Smith]], and [[Jimmy McGriff]] playing the [[Hammond organ|Hammond B3 organ]] at the Wonder Gardens and Club Harlem. With his shoeshine earnings, Fogel bought a Hammond organ at age 11 and at age 13 debuted at the Wonder Gardens.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.danfogel.org/bio.shtml|title=Bio|publisher=danfogel.org|access-date=22 August 2016}}</ref> At age 16 Fogel was leading the Wonder Gardens [[house band]], which included his [[Atlantic City High School]] classmate [[Harvey Mason]] on drums.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.danfogel.org/images/press/acweekly.shtml|title=The Swing King of Marven Gardens|first=Jeff|last=Schwachter| access-date=22 August 2016|work=[[Atlantic City Weekly]]}}</ref> Mason recalled that the band regularly played the "breakfast show" at the Wonder Gardens from 4 AM to 10 AM in the 1960s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.moderndrummer.com/site/2014/08/influences-harvey-mason-interview/|title=Influences: Harvey Mason|date=19 August 2014|access-date=22 August 2016|work=[[Modern Drummer]]}}</ref>

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In the 1960s, the Wonder Gardens booked jazz organists [[Jack McDuff|Brother Jack McDuff]] and [[Gene Ludwig]],<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2sIDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA32|title=Organ-ized Antics|journal=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]|date=10 September 1964|page=32}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6328831/the_pittsburgh_courier/|title=Trio Opens in Newark|date=17 October 1964|newspaper=[[Pittsburgh Courier]]|page=13}}</ref> drummers [[Art Blakey]] and [[J. C. Heard]],<ref name=trio>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6328893/the_indexjournal/|title=John Banks Trio to Provide Musical Education|first=Joseph|last=Sitarz|date=13 June 2004|newspaper=The Index-Journal|page=32}}</ref> the John Banks Trio,<ref name=trio/> [[Damita Jo DeBlanc|Damita Jo]],{{sfn|Lyons|2009|p=37}} [[Kenny Barron]] and [[Dizzy Gillespie]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://philadelphiaweekly.com/2009/oct/22/A-Jazz-Original-65590347/#.V7sPZvl94ud|title=A Jazz Original|first=Jeff|last=Schwachter|date=22 October 2009|access-date=22 August 2016|work=[[Philadelphia Weekly]]}}</ref> tenor saxophonist [[Bootsie Barnes]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cannonballmusic.com/bbarnes.php|title=Bootsie Barnes|publisher=Cannonball Musical Instruments|year=2016|access-date=22 August 2016}}</ref> R&B/soul group [[The Delfonics]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/atlantic-city-nj-180949579/?no-ist|title=Atlantic City, N.J.|first=Turiya S. A.|last=Raheem|date=16 November 2009|access-date=22 August 2016|work=[[Smithsonian (magazine)|Smithsonian]]}}</ref> and singers [[Marvin Gaye]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.acbiz.org/News%20and%20Events/pdf/10-30-2015/Former-WMID-DJ-inducted-into-Philly-Music-Walk.pdf|title=Former WMID DJ inducted into Philly Music Walk of Fame|first=Vincent|last=Jackson|date=30 October 2015|access-date=22 August 2016|work=Press of Atlantic City}}</ref> [[Russell Thompkins Jr.]],<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-148232932.html|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161008195631/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-148232932.html|url-status= dead|archive-date= 8 October 2016|title=The Sound of Philly Travels|first=David J.|last=Spatz|date=18 January 2008|access-date=22 August 2016|work=[[The Record (Bergen County)|The Record]]|url-access=}}</ref> and [[Florence Ballard]], formerly of [[The Supremes]].{{sfn|Benjaminson|2008|p=114}} In the mid-1960s, a young [[George Benson]], then known as "Little Georgie", played guitar in McDuff's trio at the Wonder Gardens.<ref name=georgie/> After his set ended at 3 AM Benson would walk over to Grace's Little Belmont to talk music with future jazz composer [[Charles Earland]].<ref name=georgie>{{cite web |url=http://www.atlanticcityweekly.com/arts_and_entertainment/they-called-him-little-georgie/article_cdd27f98-b947-583b-bdbb-02356f9da9c3.html|title=They Called Him 'Little Georgie'|first=David|last=Spatz|date=22 October 2014|access-date=22 August 2016|work=Atlantic City Weekly}}</ref>

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In the 1970s the club began presenting rock, soul, and pop musicians. Performers included [[Stevie Wonder]], [[James Brown]], [[Aretha Franklin]],<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/press/atlantic/kentucky-avenue-festival-remembers-days-long-past/article_90c20bbd-f244-5a80-90b8-72b80917662c.html|title= Kentucky Avenue festival remembers days long past|first=Derek|last=Harper|date=10 August 2013|access-date=22 August 2016|publisher=Press of Atlantic City}}</ref> [[Kool and the Gang]],<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=08w7AQAAIAAJ&q=wonder+garden+atlantic+city|title=Playdates|page=51|journal=Amusement Business|publisher=Billboard Publications|year=1970}}</ref> and [[Blue Magic (band)|Blue Magic]].<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GgkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA18|title=Who/Where/When|journal=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=16 June 1973|page=18}}</ref> The aspiring [[Commodores]] played as the house band one summer.<ref name=soko/> Joseph Smith, a black Baltimore high school student, was also given some time on stage with his magic and ventriloquist act.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-17036844.html|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161008195932/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-17036844.html|url-status= dead|archive-date= 8 October 2016|title=Joe Elbert's American Shots|date=18 August 2008|access-date=22 August 2016|work=[[The Washington Post]]|url-access=}}</ref>


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In the early 1990s, the club featured jazz keyboardist [[Lonnie Liston Smith]] and drummer [[Ralph Peterson, Jr.]] on its weekly jazz night from 5 PM to 2 AM.<ref name=magic>{{cite web |url=http://articles.philly.com/1992-06-25/news/26033523_1_street-festival-jazz-entertainment-district|title=Kentucky Ave. Longs To Regain A Share Of Its Old-time Magic: Community leaders want a street that hosted legends to make a comeback|first=Alissa|last=Wolf|date=25 June 1992|access-date=19 August 2016|work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]}}</ref> The club also gave the stage to up-and-coming singer [[Sybil (singer)|Sybil]] and [[Boyz II Men]],<ref name=soko/> while aspiring [[Disc jockey|DJ]] Ahmed Kahn spun R&B and rap music.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.djahmedkhan.com/pages/biography.htm|title=Biography|publisher=DJ Ahmed Kahn|year=2015|access-date=22 August 2016}}</ref>
⚫
In the 1960s, the Wonder Gardens booked jazz organists [[Jack McDuff|Brother Jack McDuff]] and [[Gene Ludwig]],<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://books.google.co.il/books?id=2sIDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA32|title=Organ-ized Antics|journal=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]|date=10 September 1964|page=32}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6328831/the_pittsburgh_courier/|title=Trio Opens in Newark|date=17 October 1964|newspaper=[[Pittsburgh Courier]]|page=13}}</ref> drummers [[Art Blakey]] and [[J. C. Heard]],<ref name=trio>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6328893/the_indexjournal/|title=John Banks Trio to Provide Musical Education|first=Joseph|last=Sitarz|date=13 June 2004|newspaper=The Index-Journal|page=32}}</ref> the John Banks Trio,<ref name=trio/> [[Damita Jo DeBlanc|Damita Jo]],{{sfn|Lyons|2009|p=37}} [[Kenny Barron]] and [[Dizzy Gillespie]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://philadelphiaweekly.com/2009/oct/22/A-Jazz-Original-65590347/#.V7sPZvl94ud|title=A Jazz Original|first=Jeff|last=Schwachter|date=22 October 2009|accessdate=22 August 2016|work=[[Philadelphia Weekly]]}}</ref> tenor saxophonist [[Bootsie Barnes]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cannonballmusic.com/bbarnes.php|title=Bootsie Barnes|publisher=Cannonball Musical Instruments|year=2016|accessdate=22 August 2016}}</ref> R&B/soul group [[The Delfonics]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/atlantic-city-nj-180949579/?no-ist|title=Atlantic City, N.J.|first=Turiya S. A.|last=Raheem|date=16 November 2009|accessdate=22 August 2016|work=[[Smithsonian (magazine)|Smithsonian]]}}</ref> and singers [[Marvin Gaye]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.acbiz.org/News%20and%20Events/pdf/10-30-2015/Former-WMID-DJ-inducted-into-Philly-Music-Walk.pdf|title=Former WMID DJ inducted into Philly Music Walk of Fame|first=Vincent|last=Jackson|date=30 October 2015|accessdate=22 August 2016|work=Press of Atlantic City}}</ref> [[Russell Thompkins Jr.]],<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-148232932.html|title=The Sound of Philly Travels|first=David J.|last=Spatz|date=18 January 2008|accessdate=22 August 2016|work=[[The Record (Bergen County)|The Record]]|subscription=yes|via=[[HighBeam Research|High Beam]]}}</ref> and [[Florence Ballard]], formerly of [[The Supremes]].{{sfn|Benjaminson|2008|p=114}} In the mid-1960s, a young [[George Benson]], then known as "Little Georgie", played guitar in McDuff's trio at the Wonder Gardens. After his set ended at 3 AM Benson would walk over to Grace's Little Belmont to talk music with future jazz composer [[Charles Earland]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.atlanticcityweekly.com/arts_and_entertainment/they-called-him-little-georgie/article_cdd27f98-b947-583b-bdbb-02356f9da9c3.html|title=They Called Him 'Little Georgie'|first=David|last=Spatz|date=22 October 2014|accessdate=22 August 2016|work=Atlantic City Weekly}}</ref>


==Notes==
⚫
In the 1970s the club began presenting rock, soul, and pop musicians. Performers included [[Stevie Wonder]], [[James Brown]], [[Aretha Franklin]],<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/press/atlantic/kentucky-avenue-festival-remembers-days-long-past/article_90c20bbd-f244-5a80-90b8-72b80917662c.html|title= Kentucky Avenue festival remembers days long past|first=Derek|last=Harper|date=10 August 2013|accessdate=22 August 2016|publisher=Press of Atlantic City}}</ref> [[Kool and the Gang]],<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://books.google.co.il/books?id=08w7AQAAIAAJ&q=wonder+garden+atlantic+city&dq=wonder+garden+atlantic+city|title=Playdates|page=51|journal=Amusement Business|publisher=Billboard Publications|year=1970}}</ref> and [[Blue Magic (band)|Blue Magic]].<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://books.google.co.il/books?id=GgkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA18|title=Who/Where/When|journal=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=16 June 1973|page=18}}</ref> The aspiring [[Commodores]] played as the house band one summer.<ref name=soko/> Joseph Smith, a black Baltimore high school student, was also given some time on stage with his magic and ventriloquist act.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-17036844.html|title=Joe Elbert's American Shots|date=18 August 2008|accessdate=22 August 2016|work=[[The Washington Post]]|subscription=yes|via=HighBeam}}</ref>
{{Notelist}}


==See also==
⚫
In the early 1990s, the club featured jazz keyboardist [[Lonnie Liston Smith]] and drummer [[Ralph Peterson, Jr.]] on its weekly jazz night from 5 PM to 2 AM.<ref name=magic>{{cite web |url=http://articles.philly.com/1992-06-25/news/26033523_1_street-festival-jazz-entertainment-district|title=Kentucky Ave. Longs To Regain A Share Of Its Old-time Magic: Community leaders want a street that hosted legends to make a comeback|first=Alissa|last=Wolf|date=25 June 1992|accessdate=19 August 2016|work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]}}</ref> The club also gave the stage to up-and-coming singer [[Sybil (singer)|Sybil]] and [[Boyz II Men]],<ref name=soko/> while aspiring [[Disc jockey|DJ]] Ahmed Kahn spun R&B and rap music.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.djahmedkhan.com/pages/biography.htm|title=Biography|publisher=DJ Ahmed Kahn|year=2015|accessdate=22 August 2016}}</ref>
* [[Kentucky Avenue Renaissance Festival]]


==References==
==References==
Line 51: Line 45:


==Sources==
==Sources==
*{{cite book|ref=harv|url= https://books.google.co.il/books?id=iU6FmX0Dc2YC&pg=PA114|title= The Lost Supreme: The Life of Dreamgirl Florence Ballard|first=Peter|last=Benjaminson|year=2008|publisher= Chicago Review Press|isbn=1556527055}}
* {{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=iU6FmX0Dc2YC&pg=PA114|title= The Lost Supreme: The Life of Dreamgirl Florence Ballard|first=Peter|last=Benjaminson|year=2008|publisher= Chicago Review Press|isbn=978-1556527050}}
*{{cite book|ref=harv|url=https://books.google.co.il/books?redir_esc=y&id=DxoqAQAAMAAJ&dq=wonder+gardens|title=New York City|first=David|last=Ellis|year=2000|publisher=[[Lonely Planet]]|edition=2nd|isbn= 1864501804}}
* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DxoqAQAAMAAJ&q=wonder+gardens|title=New York City|first=David|last=Ellis|year=2000|publisher=[[Lonely Planet]]|edition=2nd|isbn= 1864501804}}
*{{cite book|ref=harv|url=https://books.google.co.il/books?id=y64oYCEMVEAC&pg=PA37 |title=Take It From The Top|first=Terri|last=Lyons|year=2009|publisher=Xlibris Corporation|isbn=1462820522}}
* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=y64oYCEMVEAC&pg=PA37 |title=Take It From The Top|first=Terri|last=Lyons|year=2009|publisher=Xlibris Corporation|isbn=978-1462820528}}
*{{cite book|ref=harv|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g_wrTydssB4C&pg=PA322|title=Theatre World, Volume 60|last1=Willis|first1=John|last2=Hodges|first2=Ben|year=2006|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation|isbn=978-1-5578-3650-2}}
* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g_wrTydssB4C&pg=PA322|title=Theatre World, Volume 60|last1=Willis|first1=John|last2=Hodges|first2=Ben|year=2006|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation|isbn=978-1-5578-3650-2}}


[[Category:Jazz clubs in Atlantic City, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Jazz clubs in Atlantic City, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Nightclubs in Atlantic City, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Nightclubs in Atlantic City, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Defunct jazz clubs]]
[[Category:Defunct jazz clubs in New Jersey]]
[[Category:1920s establishments in New Jersey]]
[[Category:1920s establishments in New Jersey]]

Revision as of 23:24, 16 June 2024

Wonder Gardens
Wonder Bar, 1940
Wonder Gardens is located in Atlantic City NJ
Wonder Gardens
Wonder Gardens
Location in Atlantic City
Former namesWonder Bar
Address1601 Arctic Avenue
Atlantic City, New Jersey
United States
Coordinates39°21′44″N 74°25′54″W / 39.36222°N 74.43167°W / 39.36222; -74.43167
OwnerCharles Randall, B.B. King
TypeNightclub
Openedc. 1929
Closed2001

Wonder Gardens (also known as Wonder Bar) was a jazz and R&B nightclub at 1601 Arctic Avenue in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Established around 1929, it was one of four black-owned nightclubs in the black entertainment district on Kentucky Avenue. Between the Wonder Gardens, Club Harlem, the Paradise Club, and Grace's Little Belmont, the music played all night and into the morning in the district's heyday in the 1940s through 1960s. Presenting both popular jazz musicians and new talent, the Wonder Gardens provided early exposure for Dan Fogel, Harvey Mason, George Benson, and the Commodores. Over the years, the music changed from jazz to rock, soul, and pop music.[1] In 1979 the club was renovated, redecorated and renamed the Latin Wonder Gardens, featuring live Afro-Cuban musical entertainment. In 1991 it underwent a second renovation and name change to the New Wonder Gardens, featuring Latin, jazz, R&B, hiphop, and reggae acts. The club was sold in 2001 and was later demolished.

History

Originally called Wonder Bar, the jazz nightspot opened around 1929 at 1601 Arctic Avenue, on the northwest corner of Kentucky Avenue and Arctic Avenue.[1][2][3] In the 1940s and 1950s it was owned by Charles Randall.[4][5] At one point B.B. King, a frequent performer at Club Harlem, became a part-owner of the Wonder Gardens and began appearing here exclusively two weekends a year.

In July 1940 the Wonder Bar, Club Harlem, the Paradise Club, and Grace's Little Belmont were raided by police, led by the newly elected mayor, Tom Taggart, seeking proof of illegal gambling activities. The police confiscated "three truckloads of gambling paraphernalia" and arrested 32, then shut down the four clubs.[6][a] The arrestees from the Wonder Bar included Randall, John Doyle, and Albert Leighton, who all pleaded not guilty and were released on bail.[4][8] The next day the clubs were open for business as usual.[8][b] The raid followed a period of unease between the new mayor and black citizens of Atlantic City's north side; earlier, Taggart had filed a restraining order against a white dancer, who bathed in milk during her performance, from appearing at Randall's black club.[10]

In 1979 the Wonder Gardens was renovated and redecorated as a Latin disco, with a new sound system, and renamed the Latin Wonder Gardens. Featuring Afro-Cuban musical entertainment, the club announced that Joe Cuba would be the house band; opening acts included Típica 73, Vitín Avilés, and Mayro & Silvio's Cuban Rumba Dancers.[1] In 1991 the club underwent a second renovation and name change to the New Wonder Gardens, now offering Latin, jazz, R&B, hip hop, and reggae music.[11] The 2000 edition of Lonely Planet's New York City listed the Wonder Gardens as a jazz club in its Atlantic City excursions section.[12] Dancer LeRoy Myers purchased the club in the 1970s and sold it in 2001.[13]

Performers

Throughout its history, the Wonder Gardens presented both popular musicians and new talent.[11] In the late 1950s Dan Fogel began hanging around the Kentucky Avenue clubs regularly at the age of 10, shining shoes and listening in on top jazz organists like Groove Holmes, Larry Young, Jimmy Smith, and Jimmy McGriff playing the Hammond B3 organ at the Wonder Gardens and Club Harlem. With his shoeshine earnings, Fogel bought a Hammond organ at age 11 and at age 13 debuted at the Wonder Gardens.[14] At age 16 Fogel was leading the Wonder Gardens house band, which included his Atlantic City High School classmate Harvey Mason on drums.[15] Mason recalled that the band regularly played the "breakfast show" at the Wonder Gardens from 4 AM to 10 AM in the 1960s.[16]

In the 1960s, the Wonder Gardens booked jazz organists Brother Jack McDuff and Gene Ludwig,[17][18] drummers Art Blakey and J. C. Heard,[19] the John Banks Trio,[19] Damita Jo,[20] Kenny Barron and Dizzy Gillespie,[21] tenor saxophonist Bootsie Barnes,[22] R&B/soul group The Delfonics,[23] and singers Marvin Gaye,[24] Russell Thompkins Jr.,[25] and Florence Ballard, formerly of The Supremes.[26] In the mid-1960s, a young George Benson, then known as "Little Georgie", played guitar in McDuff's trio at the Wonder Gardens.[27] After his set ended at 3 AM Benson would walk over to Grace's Little Belmont to talk music with future jazz composer Charles Earland.[27]

In the 1970s the club began presenting rock, soul, and pop musicians. Performers included Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Aretha Franklin,[28] Kool and the Gang,[29] and Blue Magic.[30] The aspiring Commodores played as the house band one summer.[11] Joseph Smith, a black Baltimore high school student, was also given some time on stage with his magic and ventriloquist act.[31]

In the early 1990s, the club featured jazz keyboardist Lonnie Liston Smith and drummer Ralph Peterson, Jr. on its weekly jazz night from 5 PM to 2 AM.[2] The club also gave the stage to up-and-coming singer Sybil and Boyz II Men,[11] while aspiring DJ Ahmed Kahn spun R&B and rap music.[32]

Notes

  1. ^ Taggart began the action by calling 40 policemen into his office, strapping on a revolver and stating, "Come on, we're going places."[7]
  2. ^ The mayor conducted a second raid two weeks later of the Wonder Bar, Little Belmont and Club Harlem. This raid found no gambling equipment or patrons at any of these clubs. Upon raiding the establishments and finding nothing, Taggart's comment was, "I heard these wise guys were going to try to open up again."[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Atlantic City Opens 2 More Dance Clubs". Billboard. 18 August 1979. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  2. ^ a b Wolf, Alissa (25 June 1992). "Kentucky Ave. Longs To Regain A Share Of Its Old-time Magic: Community leaders want a street that hosted legends to make a comeback". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  3. ^ "Advertisement for the Wonder Bar Garden". Baltimore Afro American. July 21, 1953. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
  4. ^ a b "H. Daniels Under $5,000 Bail in Shore Vice War". The Afro-American. 17 August 1940. p. 3.
  5. ^ "Wonder Bar Garden Ad". The Afro-American. 21 July 1953. p. 17.
  6. ^ "Mayor Leads Atlantic City Raid Squads". The Day. Associated Press. 29 July 1940. p. 12.
  7. ^ "Shore Mayor Conducts Raid". Chester Times. July 29, 1940. p. 3. Retrieved August 28, 2016.Open access icon
  8. ^ a b Rowe, Billy (August 10, 1940). "Business 'Going On As Usual' After Sepia Night Life Circle Raids in Atlantic City". Pittsburgh Courier. p. 20. Retrieved August 7, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  9. ^ "Atlantic City Mayor Revisits Three Clubs". Hanover Evening Sun. August 10, 1940. p. 19. Retrieved August 28, 2016.Open access icon
  10. ^ "Milk Dancer, White, Barred". The Afro-American. 30 July 1940. p. 6.
  11. ^ a b c d Sokolic, William H. (27 June 1992). "A Rebirth-day Party: Kentucky Avenue Once Was The Place To Be – Its Joint Serving Up Atlantic City's Best Ribs And Rhythm And Blues. It Will Be All That Again This Weekend". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  12. ^ Ellis 2000, p. 244.
  13. ^ Willis & Hodges 2006, p. 233.
  14. ^ "Bio". danfogel.org. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  15. ^ Schwachter, Jeff. "The Swing King of Marven Gardens". Atlantic City Weekly. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  16. ^ "Influences: Harvey Mason". Modern Drummer. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  17. ^ "Organ-ized Antics". Jet: 32. 10 September 1964.
  18. ^ "Trio Opens in Newark". Pittsburgh Courier. 17 October 1964. p. 13.
  19. ^ a b Sitarz, Joseph (13 June 2004). "John Banks Trio to Provide Musical Education". The Index-Journal. p. 32.
  20. ^ Lyons 2009, p. 37.
  21. ^ Schwachter, Jeff (22 October 2009). "A Jazz Original". Philadelphia Weekly. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  22. ^ "Bootsie Barnes". Cannonball Musical Instruments. 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  23. ^ Raheem, Turiya S. A. (16 November 2009). "Atlantic City, N.J." Smithsonian. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  24. ^ Jackson, Vincent (30 October 2015). "Former WMID DJ inducted into Philly Music Walk of Fame" (PDF). Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  25. ^ Spatz, David J. (18 January 2008). "The Sound of Philly Travels". The Record. Archived from the original on 8 October 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  26. ^ Benjaminson 2008, p. 114.
  27. ^ a b Spatz, David (22 October 2014). "They Called Him 'Little Georgie'". Atlantic City Weekly. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  28. ^ Harper, Derek (10 August 2013). "Kentucky Avenue festival remembers days long past". Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  29. ^ "Playdates". Amusement Business. Billboard Publications: 51. 1970.
  30. ^ "Who/Where/When". Billboard: 18. 16 June 1973.
  31. ^ "Joe Elbert's American Shots". The Washington Post. 18 August 2008. Archived from the original on 8 October 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  32. ^ "Biography". DJ Ahmed Kahn. 2015. Retrieved 22 August 2016.

Sources

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