The Feldman Swing Club The Feldman Swing Club, also known as the No1 Swing Club , began life in and was the first London club where jazz only was played, albeit for only one night a week at first. It continued through the war years on until when increasing competition from other clubs led to its demise.
Maurice Burman writing in Jazz Journal in reckoned "nearly every bop player of note plays and was discovered at the Feldman Club. Leon Roy and his Band, the only large bop band in the country at the time made it's debut at the Feldman Club and was extremely well received According to the Melody Maker "it would provide London enthusiasts with what they had always lacked, a regular home for swing music where they could meet, dance, and listen to jazz music from star players".
The club had been founded by Monty and Robert Feldman with the financial assistance of their father Joe. A third brother was of course Victor Feldman who began his playing career at the club while still a precociously talented child and went on to become a world renowned jazz musician. By selling club membership for 5 shillings 25p per annum with reduced entrance fee thereafter the Feldman's raised enough money to get the club started.
The guest artists were to be The Feldman Trio , Monty who played accordian and Robert playing alto saxophone plus young Vic on drums. The club was an instant success and began to open on Saturdays as well. The atmosphere was described as electric with the low ceiling vibrating from the sound, and there were queues to get in going halfway down Oxford Street.
The lives of Robert and Monty changed, they made a lot of money from the club and gave up their jobs in their fathers clothing firm. They began to wear expensive clothing and spent their time booking musicians and generally running the club.
