Lucille's

Gregarious and comely, Lucille Webb held court in her namesake club; greeting and schmoozing patrons while her husband S. D. ran the kitchen. In April 1938, Charlie joined alto saxophonist Buster Smith’s band for a regular engagement at Lucille’s. Onstage, Smith mentored young Charlie, teaching him how to go in and out of key and play double time. An eager student, Charlie could soon improve on anything that Smith played. Broadcasts from Lucille’s by KXBY introduced Charlie to listeners across the Midwest.