In the 1940s and 1950s Latino and African American jazz artists developed relationships because they shared common interests: cutting-edge jazz and good, inexpensive food. Sources describe them together at Jazz clubs and eateries in Harlem and Spanish Harlem. One see this at Small’s Paradise, and the Savoy as well as the Odeon and the Apollo theaters and at restaurants such as the Bon Goo Barbecue (717 St. Nicholas Avenue, north of 145th Street), the old Red Rooster (2354 Seventh Avenue—between 137th and 138th Streets) Jock’s Place, almost next door at 2350 Seventh Avenue. Between 137th and 138th Streets, Obie’s at 270 West 135th Street among others. Beans and corn bread and or fried fish and grits represented common menu items at restaurants in Harlem.
