Golden Age Gallery

When you step into Cafe Jazzy Rose, you are stepping into a living archive. Our walls are more than just a backdrop for your evening; they are a curated tribute to the architects of the Jazz Age. As you settle into the glow of the lounge, you’ll find yourself surrounded by our gallery, a collection of historical tributes. This gallery is the heartbeat of our sanctuary. It was born from a desire to do more than just decorate, it was born from a commitment to truth.
 

Our research into these archives revealed a sobering reality: confirming the details of certain iconic photographs has become a significant undertaking. We found that over time, historical information has become convoluted and often contradictory. We believe this is a direct reflection of an era where the contributions of Black artists were frequently deemed 'temporary' or 'lesser' by the mainstream institutions of the time.
 

In many cases, proper records were simply not kept because the cultural weight of these pioneers wasn't recognized by the gatekeepers of the time. Today, we see that original lack of representation mirrored in a digital landscape where accurate attribution is still a struggle. At Cafe Jazzy Rose, we view our gallery not just as a tribute, but as a necessary act of restoration. By partnering with archives like the Schomburg Center and the Missouri History Museum, we have worked to clear a bit of the fog of history and ensure these legends are honored with the dignity and accuracy they were so often denied.