The Lenox Lounge was a legendary jazz club and bar in Harlem, New York, founded in 1939. It was a significant cultural hub, serving as a venue for jazz legends like Billie Holiday, Miles Davis, and John Coltrane. Beyond music, it was a meeting place for prominent figures of the Harlem Renaissance and the Civil Rights Movement, including James Baldwin, Langston Hughes, and Malcolm X. Its Art Deco interior and role as a "Green Book" site for Black travelers cemented its place in American history.

Onaje Allan Gumbs (1949-2020) was a highly respected jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader born in Harlem. Known for his versatile style spanning jazz, R&B, and pop, he collaborated with many music legends throughout his career. Gumbs often graced the stage of iconic venues, including the famed Lenox Lounge in Harlem, where his captivating performances added to the club's rich musical legacy. He was also a dedicated educator, believing in music's power to heal and inspire.

​Marcus Samuelsson is an acclaimed, award-winning chef and restaurateur, known as the head chef and co-owner of Red Rooster in Harlem and other restaurants worldwide. He is also a cookbook author and TV personality, frequently appearing on food-related shows. Sweet Georgia Brown was a legendary blues and jazz singer, born in South Carolina. Known for her energetic performances and "Harlem diva blues queen" persona, she was a resident performer at Arthur's Tavern and inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame. She passed away in September 2022. Annette St. John is an international jazz singer, born and raised in Harlem. Her musical style encompasses jazz, blues, standards, and gospel. She has performed at notable venues across Manhattan and toured internationally, particularly in Japan.

The incomparable Sweet Georgia Brown, a vibrant force in blues and jazz, commanded every stage she graced with an electrifying presence. Hailing from South Carolina, she became synonymous with the "Harlem diva blues queen" title, captivating audiences with her powerful vocals and engaging style. A cherished fixture at Greenwich Village's Arthur's Tavern, her legendary performances were a testament to her deep connection to the genre. Her enduring impact was recognized with an induction into the Blues Hall of Fame. Sweet Georgia Brown's captivating voice was silenced with her passing in September 2022, but her soulful legacy resonates.

The late Johnny Kemp (1959-2015), the Bahamian singer-songwriter behind the iconic 1988 hit "Just Got Paid," had a deep-rooted passion for music that led him from Nassau to the vibrant streets of Harlem. In 1979, Kemp moved to Harlem, New York, with his band Kinky Fox, embarking on a career that saw him become a successful session musician and songwriter before achieving solo stardom. While specific performance dates at the legendary Lenox Lounge are not widely documented, Kemp's early presence in Harlem's music scene suggests a natural connection to such esteemed venues. His love for music was evident in his versatile career, which included writing for other artists, singing backup, and ultimately crafting his own R&B and New Jack Swing hits. Even after his mainstream recording career, Kemp continued to perform and share his musical talent, a testament to his unwavering dedication to the art form. His spirit, nurtured in Harlem, continued to resonate through his music until his passing in 2015.

This image captures the raw, undeniable essence of Sweet Georgia Brown, a blues force of nature unlike any other. Photographer Keith "Hasvision" Rogers remembers well the unbridled energy she brought to every performance. Sweet Georgia Brown's blues weren't just sung; they were lived, a visceral outpouring that left no room for pretense. She was known to be fearlessly direct, her piercing gaze capable of questioning intentions, whether it was a strange remark or an uncomfortable fidget in the audience. There was no hiding when Sweet Georgia Brown was on stage; she'd pull you out of your seat, compelling you to move with the infectious rhythms of her band. Her candidness, her complete lack of filter, wasn't just tolerated—it was celebrated, a testament to her authentic artistry and the deep, unwavering love she earned from every soul fortunate enough to witness her perform.

The Lenox Lounge was a cultural Hub

In this poignant photograph by Keith "Hasvision" Rogers, the late Onaje Allan Gumbs shares a moment with an admiring fan during a break from his performance at the legendary Lenox Lounge. Harlem's iconic venue was unique in offering two distinct performance spaces: the lively front of the house, designed to draw in passersby with its immediate musical embrace, and the more intimate, revered Zebra Room in the back. The Zebra Room, with its distinctive decor, was often reserved for special engagements, a sanctuary for internationally renowned artists like Gumbs to deliver their most profound and intricate musical narratives, creating an unforgettable connection with a dedicated audience.​

Onaje Allan Gumbs

Onaje Allan Gumbs