North Beach in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Jazz Workshop

The Center of North Beach Jazz Scene - 473 Broadway

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 11, 2020

1. The Jazz Workshop Marker

Inscription. Opened in 1957, the Jazz Workshop at 473 Broadway was one of the premier clubs to hear live jazz in San Francisco from the late 1950s to the late 1960s. In 1959, saxophonist Julian Edwin "Cannonball" Adderley helped put the Broadway jazz club on the map with his live album In San Francisco, and would continue to perform at the venue over the next decade. The venue surged in popularity on the closing of another top jazz spot the Blackhawk in 1963, inheriting its robust line-up that included household names like Charlie Mingus, John Coltrane and Miles Davis.

Erected 2018 by Top of Broadway Community Benefits District.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical year for this entry is 1957.

Location. 37° 47.88′ N, 122° 24.294′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in North Beach. Marker can be reached from Broadway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 473 Broadway, San Francisco CA 94133, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Dirk Dirksen (a few steps from this marker); Mona's 440 Club (within shouting distance of this marker); Lupo’s Restaurant (within shouting distance of this marker); Peter Macchiarini Steps

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

(within shouting distance of this marker); The Lusty Lady (within shouting distance of this marker); Finnochio's (within shouting distance of this marker); Devil's Acre & Battle Row (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); San Francisco Brewing Company (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.

More about this marker. This is one of ten historical markers installed by the Top of Broadway Community Benefits District in the Spring of 2018.

Also see . . .
1. Cannonball Adderly Quintet Straight, No Chaser (Live at the Jazz Workshop in San Francsico). (Submitted on July 12, 2020.)
2. Jazz Workshop (Wikipedia). (Submitted on July 12, 2020.)

The Jazz Workshop Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 11, 2020

2. The Jazz Workshop Marker - wide view

The marker is visible here, embedded in the sidewalk between the two planters. It isn't really visible from the street, and is easy enough to miss even when up close to it.

The former Jazz Workshop image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 11, 2020

3. The former Jazz Workshop

Cannonball Adderley and Nat Adderley image. Click for full size.

photo courtesy of the Felix E. Grant Jazz Archives, University of the District of Columbia

4. Cannonball Adderley and Nat Adderley

"Cannonball Adderley plays the alto saxophone. Nat Adderley plays the cornet. Bassist Walter Booker appears in the background."

<i>In San Francisco</i> album cover image. Click for full size.

image courtesy of Riverside Records, 1959

5. In San Francisco album cover

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 754 times since then and 134 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 12, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.