05/14/2024
Right next to the present day Flying Squirrel community center on the corner of Clarissa and Troup Street you will now see a vacant parking lot. Fifty two years ago, this now empty lot held the epicenter of Black culture in Rochester, The Pythodd Club.
The first image included shows how the Pythodd looked from the 1940s to the 1970s as it functioned as one of the most iconic Black jazz clubs in the city. Started as a gentleman’s club, the Pythodd quickly opened its doors to new performers and the larger Clarissa Street community. With its reputation as a community meeting point and a jazz Mecca it rapidly secured its position as a Nationally renowned club.
As performers started traveling to Rochester to play at the Pythodd, it became integrated in the “Chitlin Circuit”, the informal “Green Book” for Black entertainers.
Thus, performers such as Stevie Wonder, George Benson, and P*e Wee Ellis were known to come to the Pythodd Club.
In 1972 the Pythodd closed its doors for the final time and the building was demolished as route 490 was completed.
Though, the joys of the Pythodd still live on in Rochester performers to this day. We welcome folks to come and visit our replica of the Pythodd stage at the Clarissa Uprooted Exhibit soon!
