Doctor Jazz (musical)


Doctor Jazz is a 1975 musical with music by Luther Henderson and Buster Davis, with a book and lyrics by Davis. The musical premiered on Broadway in 1975 and was nominated for three Tony Awards for Best Choreography, Best Actress in a Musical and Best Costume Design. The musical takes its name from the 1920s Jazz standard Doctor Jazz and tells an original story primarily set in the Storyville district in New Orleans and revolving around Edna Mae Sheridan, her mother, who owns a brothel, and two men vying for her attention.

Production history

Hal Linden was offered the lead in the play, but turned it down to accept the lead role in the TV series Barney Miller.
Doctor Jazz opened on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre on March 19, 1975. The show was directed and choreographed by Donald McKayle and produced by Cyma Rubin. The show struggled in previews, and closed after only five official performances.

Musical numbers

;Act I
  • "Doctor Jazz"§ – Steve
  • "We've Got Connections" – Steve, Edna, Harriet
  • "Georgia Shows 'Em How" – Georgia
  • "Cleopatra Had A Jazz Band"§ – Steve
  • "Juba Dance" – Edna
  • "Charleston Rag"§ – Company
  • "I've Got Elgin Watch Movements In My Hips" – Edna
  • "Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gave To Me"§ – Company
  • "Good-Time Flat Blues"§ – Georgia
;Act II
  • "Those Sheik-Of-Araby Blues" – Company
  • "Swanee Strut" – Steve
  • "All I Want Is My Black Baby Back" – Edna
  • "Everybody Leaves You" – Steve
  • "Free and Easy" – Company
  • "I Love It"§ – Company
Songs marked '§' were pre-existing songs from the jazz era that were included in the show.
An original cast album was released following the show's closing.