TRANSCRIPT:
I’m Mark Rapp, and this is Rapp on Jazz.
Chicago’s Green Mill is among the oldest continuously operating jazz clubs in the country, with a history that reflects a slice of American nightlife.
Built in 1907, it withstood Prohibition, gangland rule, and the rise of modern jazz.
In the 1920s, Al Capone’s men often visited the club, and the famous side exit—installed for quick escapes—still exists today.
After the swing era and into the bebop years, the Green Mill remained a haven for musicians looking to explore and experiment. Over the years, the club has maintained its original Art Deco charm and its reputation for hosting serious, uncompromising jazz, and it is a testament to Chicago’s long-standing jazz tradition.
This has been Rapp on Jazz—a co-production of ColaJazz and SC Public Radio, made possible by The ETV Endowment of South Carolina.