Bohemian Caverns, 1928 — 2016

Legendary jazz club Bohemian Caverns has expired, the victim of a suffocating live entertainment climate. Founded in 1926 in the basement of a corner drugstore on U Street, Washington’s “Black Broadway,” it became DC’s hip jazz spot in the 1960s, a place where the “in crowd” could see and hear Bill Evans, Miles Davis, Shirley Horn, John Coltrane, Eric Dolphy, Bobby Timmons, Nina Simone, and Charles Mingus.

The Ramsey Lewis Trio recorded a live album in the Caverns in 1964, returning the next year to interpret Billy Page’s “In Crowd,” a pop hit for Dobie Gray. The RLT’s live version became a hit single as well.

More:

“Last of the Bohemian,” Michael J. West, Washington City Paper

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Ben’s Chili Bowl

Today is the 55th anniversary of a Washington landmark, Ben’s Chili Bowl. It was celebrated by local fans and a visiting long-time diner, Bill Cosby. Washingtonians are also celebrating another DC holiday, Chuck Brown’s birthday. Half-smokes all around!

Ben Ali, 1927 — 2009

Ben Ali, founder of U Street landmark Ben’s Chili Bowl, passed away last week. He was 82.

Ben’s signature dish is the Chili Half-Smoke sausage, so we celebrate Mr. Ali’s memory with links:

“Ben’s Chili Bowl Founder Passes On,” DCsocialite.com

“Saying Goodbye to a D.C. Legend,”  Two DC

 

“Ben Ali, Founder Of Ben’s Chili Bowl, Dies At 82,” WUSA9.com

 

“Founder of Ben’s Chili Bowl Passes,” DC Mumbo Sauce

 

“Rest in Peace, Ben,” Malnurtured Snay

“Obituaries: Ben Ali, Ran iconic D.C. diner, 82,” AP via Philly.com

“He Added Spice to Our Lives,” Washington Post