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by Zaire Saunders
“Harlem of the West” swings again with “Jazz Fridays,” starting this month at the historic Black-owned Peacock Lounge and Gold Room. For 63 years, the establishment has served customers in the Lower Haight, at 552 Haight St.
In recent years, they’ve primarily served clientele through renting out the space for private parties. “It’s an honor to still have this space to be bringing back this legacy to the area,” said Peacock Lounge manager Jerome Walker. “A lady had her 21st birthday party here and then just had her 50th here, so it’s been great to still be around.”
Now, the lounge can be open to the public through live entertainment on Friday nights, straight-ahead Jazz the last Thursday of every month and a variety of other forms of entertainment. A light remodel, thanks to a grant from Mayor Breed, has helped keep the establishment “up with the times” with a menu that boasts Italian cuisine for those who want to get away and listen to live music.
“We have a lot of Black artists who’ve been looking for a place to perform. You know the whole Fillmore was a place where noted Jazz musicians, known nationally or internationally, would come to play. We are making it more acceptable for the public,” said Walker.
One of the Black artists that Walker spoke highly of is Terrie Odabi, a skilled Blues singer who grew up in Oakland. “I know that this space has been there and is Black owned. That’s simply good enough for me,” Ms. Odabi said about performing at the Peacock.
She also agreed with Walker that there haven’t been too many venues for Black musicians, especially for the Blues: “What I’ve done is perform internationally. I would like for there to be more opportunities here in the U.S., especially locally.”
The lounge doesn’t stop at Jazz. They also have experimental music – described by Walker as “noise with electronic synthesized music” – on the second Thursday of every month. R&B and Blues performers are also joining the venue.
If you aren’t able to attend one performance, you needn’t worry. All December 2023, talented musicians will be taking the stage: On Dec. 15, KJ The Pied Piper will be performing; Yvonne Faire arrives Dec. 22; and the Harpist from the Hood Destiny Muhammad will be showcasing her skills Dec. 29, 2023.
Bay View writer and copy editor Zaire Saunders can be reached at zaire@sfbayviewnews.wpenginepowered.com.
