VENUE
Inquisition, the
726 Seymour StThe Inquisition Coffee House is remembered by drummer Gregg Simpson for bringing in acts such as Miles Davis (1962), Cannonball Adderley (1963) and, later, Stan Getz, Hampton Hawes, and Harold Land.
The venue also made headlines in 1962 when the operator offered to present comic Lenny Bruce following the cancellation of his booking at Isy's Supper Club. Bruce's opening night performance at Isy's had attracted a full-house, but it had also attracted the negative attention of Vancouver Sun critic Jack Wasserman. His scathing review in turn prompted a visit from the Morality Squad, which insisted that the show violated bylaws intended to "prohibit or prevent any lewd or immoral performance or exhibition" (qtd. in Davis). They threatened to suspend Isy's operating license unless the engagement was canceled. Unfortunately, the same ultimatum was given to the management at the Inquisition and Bruce left the city, having "vowed never again to perform in Vancouver" (Davis).
The venue also made headlines in 1962 when the operator offered to present comic Lenny Bruce following the cancellation of his booking at Isy's Supper Club. Bruce's opening night performance at Isy's had attracted a full-house, but it had also attracted the negative attention of Vancouver Sun critic Jack Wasserman. His scathing review in turn prompted a visit from the Morality Squad, which insisted that the show violated bylaws intended to "prohibit or prevent any lewd or immoral performance or exhibition" (qtd. in Davis). They threatened to suspend Isy's operating license unless the engagement was canceled. Unfortunately, the same ultimatum was given to the management at the Inquisition and Bruce left the city, having "vowed never again to perform in Vancouver" (Davis).
PHOTO GALLERY
Click on thumbnail for larger image
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Davis, Chuck. "Chronology 1962: Also July 30." The History of Metropolitan Vancouver. Home page. 11 June 2008.Simpson, Gregg. Online posting under Record Gallery thread. Vancouverjazz.com. 22 Jan 2006. 11 June 2008. http://vancouverjazz.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-1466.html
