100 Club - Feldman Swing Club

Feldman Swing Club

In 1942, the venue was a restaurant called Macks, which was hired out beginning 24 October every Sunday evening by Robert Feldman at £4 per night to host a jazz club featuring swing music. The initial lineup of the "Feldman Swing Club" advertised in Melody Maker included Frank Weir, Tommy Pollard, Kenny Baker and Jimmy Skidmore with guest artists the Feldman Trio, composed of Feldman's children, including then 8-year old child prodigy jazz drummer Victor Feldman.

The club was popular with working people and American GI's, who introduced jitterbug to the club, banned at most other music venues. Patrons included Glenn Miller, who auditioned young Victor Feldman, and the club hosted many top American jazz acts, including Mel Powell, Ray McKinley, Art Pepper, and Benny Goodman. Bebop as well as swing was featured. British musicians such as Ronnie Scott and Johnny Dankworth were featured. It became a mecca for black musicians from the Empire, such as Frank Holder, Coleridge Goode and Ray Ellington.

The club was eventually taken over by Humphrey Lyttelton's manager and during that period, Louis Armstrong appeared at the venue.