The Champagne Bowl opened May 28, 1957. It was located on the ground floor of the Flamingo Apartments. Pianist and composer Johnny Houston, who later joined Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, began a two-week gig at the “Bowl” in December 1957.
Hundreds attended a star-studded salute to R&B legend Little Willie John at the Bowl in December 1959. The singer’s 1956 hit, “Fever,” was later covered by Peggy Lee.
Singer and saxophonist Bull Moose Jackson was among the performers at the Little Willie John gala. In the 1960s, the bandleader lived in Ivy Hall Apartments (formerly Flamingo Apartments) and was a “mixologist” at the Champagne Bowl.
All That Philly Jazz 