On my numerous trips to London in late 70's i never had a chance to visit Dobells Jazz Record Shop (1946-1992) at 77, Charing Cross Road.
Dobell's opened after second world war and was instrumental in promoting British jazz and blues talent both though the store and its 77 record label.
To honor Dobells rich history and share it with those of us who did not have a chance to experience it Chelsea Space put together Dobells Jazz Folk Blues "The Record Shop with the Club Atmosphere" exhibit which just opened on April 4,2013.
"Prominent US musicians could be found dropping into Dobell’s including Muddy Waters, BB King, Roy Eldridge, Ben Webster, Red Allen and members of the Ellington band. A young Bob Dylan recorded in the small basement studio there in 1963 and Janis Joplin would visit with a bottle of Southern Comfort as a gift for the staff of the store.
Dobell’s stocked American blues 78s, 45s and LPs and many British music fans got their first ever taste of Mamie Smith, Leadbelly and Big Bill Broonzy there. The imported US records purchased at the record shop inspired such pioneers of British jazz and blues as Alexis Korner, Cyril Davies and Chris Barber (amongst many others). All the bands of the British Blues explosion: The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Cream and Fleetwood Mac shopped there. Martin Carthy, Dave Swarbrick, Mac McGann, Bert Jansch, The Vipers Skiffle Group, Lonnie Donegan and other folk musicians raided the shop's racks of Woody Guthrie and Cisco Houston records. David Bowie was also a regular customer during the early 1960s."
It includes photographs by jazz photographer David Redfern commissioned by Dobell’s to celebrate the Newport Jazz Festival in London in 1967) and graphics.
David Redfern will discuss his career in jazz photography at Chelsea Space on May 15 from 6 to 7:30 PM. RSVP is required.
"CHELSEA space celebrates Record Store Day UK with open decks for you to play and listen to your Dobells Jazz Folk Blues records on, a pop up vinyl & books stall."
Live music will be part of the fun during the course of the exhibit which runs until May 18, 2013.
For more details visit Event Page…
I believe that admission is FREE.