Village Vanguard (1935)
Max Gordon opened the Village Vanguard in Greenwich Village, New York, as a small self-run music room. It was never a large club, but its stage hosted many of jazz's defining figures over the decades.
The room survived the Depression and wartime, building a loyal neighborhood following.
It became one of the world's most famous jazz clubs, still operating and recording live shows.
Shows how a modest, owner-funded club can anchor a city's jazz scene over a long time, which is the bet The Coffee Note is making in Las Vegas.
