The Pythodd Room (pronounced: Pith-ODD), located at the corner of Clarissa and Troup Streets from 1942-1973, boasted a diverse and impressive jazz scene. Its unique name comes from combining the Knights of Pythias and Odd Fellows, two fraternal organizations that originally ran it as a private club. In 1949, the club was opened to the general public.
Rochester was a regular stop on the Chitlin’ Circuit—a system and network where Black musicians could work around Jim Crow Era practices of discrimination. Despite stiff competition from the over two dozen jazz clubs that existed in Rochester during the Pythodd Room’s era, the club played a central role. Many musicians who played at the Pythodd struck up lifelong friendships with its patrons.
Famous performers who stopped by included Jimmy Smith, Stevie Wonder, Alice McLeod (Coltrane), Irene Reid, George Benson, Shirley Scott, Ron Carter, as well as Rochester’s own Pee Wee Ellis, Roy McCurdy, Chuck Mangione, and Gap Mangione. For three decades, artists graced the stage until the Pythodd closed its doors in September 1973.
Rochester’s reputation as a jazz town stemmed from Clarissa Street’s strong musical roots and welcoming hospitality. The sounds of music, laughter, and conversation among old and new friends evoked a joyful and spirited feeling that remained unforgettable to the people who gathered at the Pythodd.
Image: University of Rochester Archive
A film by Tina Chapman DaCosta, 2013.
Super-8 interior footage of the Pythodd Club from late 1960s-early 70s (starts at 49:51-57.44).
Rochester Remembered is a local public television program presented by WXXI
TE YHAs have been building intergenerational relationships to understand where they’ve come from to know where they’re going. Here are the questions they asked of elders who were Pythodd Club jazz cats back in a time when Clarissa St., Rochester, NY was a thriving African American cultural, business and residential neighborhood. Nationally renowned jazz artists played the Pythodd Room Jazz Club.
(1) Your specific memories, stories, fun moments, significant moments about the Pythodd in its heyday?
(2) How the Pythodd connects with some of the history we’ve been looking at about how Rochester became the city it is today?
(3) How us youth could bring some of the Pythodd magic back for our generation?
Learn more about the legacy of the Pythodd Room. (NOTE: Takes a moment to load)
Digital Exhibit by 2020 Public History students at University of Rochester.
Cover photo copyright Paul Hoeffler/Estate of Paul Hoeffler/CTSIMAGES. Archived by University of Rochester Rare Books & Special Collections used for this student project with permission for educational purposes only.
Appearing in image (L to R): Richard (Dickie) Boddie, Pee Wee Ellis, and Ron Carter, on the Pythodd Room stage, 1958.
