The Bluesette/Blues Back Alley, owned by Art Peyton and Sharon Peyton, was a non-alcoholic night club in central Baltimore City at 2439 North Charles Street, near 25th St., Charles Village. It was in operation from 1965 to early 70’s. During those years it was THE place to hear live bands. The Bluesette was more than just a music club. It was a significant part of the youth culture at that time. It was also a magnet for musicians and fans who appreciated rock, blues and jazz music.

There was rock music on Friday and Saturday from 8 PM -12 AM. After the teenagers left the rock music club they reopened with an after hours jazz club/jam session called the Blues Back Alley from 2 -5 AM. These customers, mostly adults, entered quietly through the back door so as not to disturb the residential neighbors.

[Bill Short]: “I’m not sure if many people remember, but the Blues Back Alley used to get much more recognition than the Bluesette back then. It was always in Down Beat magazines list of special Jazz venues in every issue. So many of the big names in Jazz loved to come in and jam with the Jimmy Wells group. Jimmy (taught) at Morgan State. Movie stars and sports heroes were regulars. Jimmy’s group was the house band at the Playboy Club and would rush up to the Back Alley after their last set and open the Blues Back Alley at 1:00 AM. Fred, the owner of the VIP barbershops in the ghetto used to stand next to Dennis (Wilt), Henry (Rollins) and I while we were taking in the door and point out who was packing to us.”

The Blues Back Alley house trio was composed of Ted Hawk (drummer), Jimmy Wells (keyboard), and Donald Bailey (acoustic bass)— three of Baltimore’s best jazz musicians.

Sunday evenings were more acoustic blues and folk music. The Bluesette was also the site of screenings of some of John Waters’ earliest films.

Thousands of young people were a part of the Bluesette scene during the years it was open. Some of the well known local groups that played at the club included Ames Oakes, Aubrey Circle, Aux, Bobby J & The Generations, Calhoun, Chambermen, Chaparales, Chasers, Children, Chosen Few, Crank, Eliza Jane, Froggy & Gremlin, Graham Chambers System, Grin, Howdy Duty, Intruders, Joshua, Lotus Band, Marauders, Maypole, Meat, Momma Max, Moss, Nunsuch, Psychedelic Propeller, Rize, Roadrunners, Runarounds, Savages, Stonebridge, Take Five, Uncertain Things, Urch Perch and Yellow Pages.

Some Bluesette musicians went on to bigger and better things. One of those successful Bluesette alums, Nils Lofgren, recently remembered the Club fondly: “The Bluesette was a fabulous, funky gigging chapter in the history of Grin. We always loved playing there. The audiences, owners and staff were always so kind to us. It was a place that welcomed our original music and experimentation. I’ll always have wonderful memories of Grin’s time there. Thanks Bluesette, you were the best.”

You can view recordings of the webcast of the 2010 Bluesette Reunion, and read a transcript of the chat conducted during the live webcast, here.