The Savoy Ballroom was opened on March 12th, 1926 by Moses Galewski, Charles Galewski, and Charles Buchanan. The Savoy was considered the world’s most beautiful ballroom, as well as one of the most important venues that “defined the essence of dance” during the 1920s. The Savoy also featured a 200×50 foot dance floor, two bandstands, and a retractable stage.

The Savoy became the most popular dance venue in Harlem, as many jazz and dance crazes of the Harlem Renaissance originated there.The Savoy, contrasting to clubs like the Cotton Club, was not segregated. The Savoy Ballroom was considered to be a venue where people disregarded race: one quote states that it wasn’t an issue “whether you were black, green, yellow, or what. If you walked in the Savoy, the only thing we wanted to know is can you dance?”

On the opening night, Fess Williams and the Royal Flush Orchestra, the Charleston Bearcats, and Fletcher Henderson’s Roseland Orchestra performed at the Savoy. The ballroom, except for special occasions, featured two bands playing alternate sets, which lead to the Savoy becoming a venue for battles of bands. One noteable battle was held on May 15th, 1927, where the Savoy presented a “Battle of Jazz,” featuring King Oliver’s Dixie Syncopators, Chick Webb’s Harlem Stompers, a band led by Williams, and Henderson’s Roseland Orchestra.

Here is a snippet from the film THE SAVOY KING: Chick Webb and the Music That Changed America: