Celebrity Club Film Trailer

The Celebrity Club documentary is about many things. It's about music, history, racism, crime and urban renewal, but most of all, its about Rhode Island's people. This film tells the story of the legendary Celebrity Club, located in Randall Square and owned by Paul Fillipi.

The club featured top national jazz and R&B acts as well as local talent in the 1950s. Musicians like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Louis Jordan, Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holliday and Fats Domino would come to Providence and stay for weeklong engagements. Rhode Island music legends like Duke Belair, Art Hazard, Clay Osborne and Dr. Ed Coates share their personal stories about the club and growing up in Providence in that era. Celebrity Club MC Steve Kass also shares his memories.

The stories that have been told on camera often deal with Rhode Island's rich musical culture. However, music is just one of the stories that has become evident from the interviews. The Celebrity Club is believed to be the first interracial nightclub in New England. As in other parts of the United States during this era, Rhode Islanders also suffered from the effects of racism. This is reflected in the comments by some of those that have been interviewed for this project, and it is significant because it deals with a turning point or, at the very least, a step forward in race relations for our state.

The club was closed in the early1960s to make way for urban renewal projects. It has never been permanently recognized by the state, but locals remember and still cherish their memories of the best musical venue to ever hit Rhode Island. This film celebrates those memories.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Celebrity Club
• interracial
• jazz
• blues
• Providence RI music
• 1950's jazz club

[kirkfeather1]

All of the Rhode Island jazz mentors that I and my generation learned from talked about the Celebrity Club and had stories about it. It took on mythic qualities in our minds. We heard tales about how you could hear the greats there three, four, five nights in a row for the price of a drink or a soda. I was born too late! Can't wait to see the film. Kirk Feather

[holdenjazz]

Can not wait to see the documentary. I have been hearing the legend for over 30 years!!!!

[BrassAttack1]

That's my father, bassist Bob Petteruti, at 1:20 minutes. He's still playing the bass and gigging!

[boogie02130]

When is this coming out?