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In July of 1935, with a string of magazine articles under his belt, the young Englishman set sail for New York on the Normandie, joined by pianist friend Felix King. They were met at the pier by fellow columnist John Hammond.
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Leonard's first move was to check in it at the President Hotel on 48th Street, located above
the basement club Adrian's Tap Room, where small swing groups played nightly. Before the night was over he would hear Bessie Smith at the Apollo and Teddy Hill's orchestra at the Savoy, featuring a daring young trumpet player named Roy Eldridge. On his second night he explored "The Street," as 52nd Street was called, where The Famous Door, The Hickory House and The Onyx Club (a former speakeasy frequented by pianist Art Tatum) all were thriving. |
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