The Howard Theater opened on August 22, 1910, in a primarily African-American area of Washington. The Greatest Story Ever Told...Read more...

[WASHINGTON DC JAZZ NETWORK]

WASHINGTON DC

THE HOWARD THEATER

"Jazz is the sound of our heritage. It is an American idiom with African roots -- a trunk of soul with limbs reaching in every direction." Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington

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The Howard Theater opened on August 22, 1910, in a primarily African-American area of Washington, near Howard University which lead to the theater’s name. It sat around 1,200 and was designed by architect J. Edward Storck and built for the National Amusement Company. During the mid-1920’s, it was sold to Abe Lichtman, a white theater owner of theaters that catered to African-Americans. As you can see from the vintage photograph above, it was billed as the “largest colored theater in the World.”

Before the Apollo, before the Regal, there was The Howard Theatre. At its inception it was "the largest colored theatre in the world."

Sadly shuttered and neglected since the early 1980s, the once majestic building with its "trunk of soul" has survived death in order to be reborn in time to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2010.

Howard Theatre Restoration, Inc.

Revealing the Original 1910 Facade

COMMING SOON!

HOWARD THEATER RESTORATION

DC's Howard Theater Restoration

For most of the 20th century, The Howard Theatre, located in the heart of Washington, DC, near the corner of 7th and T, held audiences captive with music, dance, drama and comedy.

Speakers like Booker T. Washington shared the stage with musicals, road shows, vaudeville acts, theater productions and community programs.

Booker T Washington BIO

On the Road with Duke Ellington

Duke Ellington Interview 1973

Duke Ellington Interview

Later, Washington's favorite son Duke Ellington opened a new era of jazz big bands on The Howard's stage as well as Count Basie

Basie Band

Earl "Fatha" Hines

Lionel Hampton Big Band

When the nation was deeply divided by segregation, The Howard Theatre provided a place where color barriers blurred and music unified. The Washington Bee dubbed it the "Theatre for The People" for it was the place where dignitaries,

like President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the First Lady gathered with everyday folks to see both superstars and rising stars – many of whom debuted at The Howard Theatre.

Cab Calloway

Cozy Cole

Lena Horne

Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaugh,

Pearl Bailey

Bessie Smith

Big Joe Turner "Shake Rattle and Roll"

Charlie Parker

Miles Davis

Lucky Thompson, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Billy Eckstine Big Band 1944

Art Blakey

Max Roach

"SASSY" Sarah Vaughn

Washington DC's John Malachi, piano gave Sarah the nickname "SASSY" Sarah Vaughn

Miles Davis, James Moody, Sarah Vaughn, Eddie Jefferson,

Billy Taylor

Thelonious Monk

Erroll Garner

Oscar Peterson

Ahmad Jamal

Bud Powell

Billie Holiday, Lester Young "Prez", Coleman Hawkins, Gerry Mulligan

Nat King Cole

Shirley Horn

JOE WILLIAMS

Arthur Prysock

Jimmy Whiterspoon

The Ink Spots

Nancy Wilson

Bill Harris

The Clovers

Fats Dimino

" MR. DYNAMITE " JAMES BROWN - THE GODFATHER

Please, Please Don't Go

"Sex Machine" & "Get On The Good Foot" (LIVE)

LITTLE JIMMY SCOTT

The Drifters

The Platters

The Dells

Bill Kenny

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Aretha Franklin

Bill Cosby

Dick Gregory

MOMS MABLEY

REDD FOX

Slappy White

Nipsey Russel

Rudy Ray Moore

Blow Fly

Richard Pryor

BB King

Sam Cooke

Wilson Picket

Lou Rawls

Jessie Belvin

Billl Stewart

Brook Benton

Otis Redding

Lee Dorsey

THE TEMPTATIONS

Jimmy Whiterspoon

Little Richard

Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers

Bo Diddley

Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions

Pati Labelle and the Blue Bells

The Marveletts

Smokey Robinson

The Four Tops

The Miracles

Jr. Walker & The All Stars

MARVIN GAYE

GLADYS KNIGHT AND THE PIPS

THE SUPREMES

STEVIE WONDER

Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers

Folks say Peety Green of Station WOL AM single handedly stopped the riots in Washington DC by Broadcasting on the radio for 48 hrs straight. Telling the people to stop and go home. Stop burning down your neighborhoods when Martin Luther King was assasinated in 1968

The Howard Theatre inspired change, yet felt the impact of a nation in flux following the 1968 riots when Martin L. King was assasinated.. Eventually, the degradation of the neighborhood forced the theater to close. After several false starts in the late '70s and early '80s to reinvigorate The Howard, the curtains fell.

CLICK HERE: HOWARD THEATER RESTORATION

BLOG UNDER CONSTRUCTION - MORE BEING ADDED DAILY

All Visitors, please send memorable photos, share stories and events from the good ole days at the Howard Theater

Coming Soon an entire segment and interviews on Blog Talk Radio dedicated to the Rise, Fall, and ReBirth of Washington DC's and America's Crown Jewel "THE HOWARD THEATRE.

"The George V Johnson Jr Show"

[WASHINGTON DC JAZZ NETWORK]

When growing up as a young boy we lived about 6 blocks from the Howard Theatre. The movies then was 25 cent for admission and 10 cent for popcorn and sodas. My sister used to be in the talent shows there. In fact during the mid 70's I performed at the grand re-opening with the Charlie Hampton Big Band...w/John Malachi piano, Ketter Betts bass, Rick Henderson alto and a host of other great DC musicians. I went to many shows there growing up. It was the place to go on weekends for entertainment. It's a work in progress..more videos to add...I will try to make the ribbon cutting if I don't have to work...thanks for the compliments````GVJ

[Dr. Nelson Harrison]

Great news and a great tribute piace you have posted George. I have been following the restoration plans for about 8 years and am so glad they have reached fruition. we are trying to accomplish the same thing with our Pittsburgh counterpart theater the New Granada Theater hopefully with similar success soon.

[Mickey Bass]

When I attended Howard University in 1961 it was a Crown Jewel then and as far as I am concerned it still is today and will always be. The great legacy of black talent is a sound heard around the world.

[David Leacraft]

My name is David Leacraft and I was a trumpet player in Charlie Hampton's band was a which was the last stage band before it closed. 1968 to 1969. I also MC a show with Petey Green in 1970. I would like to be a part of restoration in some form. Please let me know. My email address is [e-mail].

Dave Leacraft