Rufus Webster was a jazz pianist, concert promoters, and an educator.   I didn’t find out until he passed away that he had been living practically in my back yard, and I could kick myself for not trying hard enough to find him.

 

The first mention of Webster in the Strib archive is in 1941, when he was a member of the newly-formed “Boogie Woogie Club” at the University of Minnesota.  There he earned his Masters in Music.

 

In 1945 Webster and Earl Bostic performed on a record called “They Raided the Joint” by Hot Lips Page and His Orchestra.  That connection to Bostic may be how Webster was able to bring national acts to Minneapolis starting in 1950.

 

In 1950 Webster performed at Cassius’s Bamboo Room, and began his career promoting concerts featuring national jazz and Rhythm & Blues acts.  His first effort was to bring Dinah Washington to the Labor Temple on October 30, 1950.

 

On November 25, 1950, Webster and partner D.P. Black brought Earl Bostic and his Orchestra to the CIO Hall.

 

 

---

 

In December 1951 Webster was working at the Flame Cafe.

In December 1953 he performed at Augie’s (when it was a straight jazz venue).

In December 1954 he was playing at the Flame Cafe in Percy Hughes’s band.

In July 1956 he was back at Augie’s, this time with strippers.

By May 1957, Webster was teaching school and playing with the Ray Komischke Quintet.

In March 1960 he was a member of the George Myers Septet, playing at the Downbeat Club in Spring Park.

 

 

 

 

Rufus Webster’s professional vita included:

• Teacher, St. Francis, Minnesota:  1955
• Social Studies Department Chairman, Pep Club Advisor, Roosevelt High School:  1960-1968
• Assistant Director of Urban Affairs, Central High School:  1968-1969
• Assistant Director of Intergroup Education, Central High School: 1969-1970
• Assistant Principal, Nokomis Jr. High
• Principal, Nokomis Jr. High:  1977 – 1978
• Assistant Superintendent of Intergroup Education and Affirmative Action:  1978-1979
• Director, Equal Education Support Department, 1979-1980
• Principal, Folwell Jr. High:  1984-1985

 

Webster retired from teaching in 1985.  He passed away in August 2015.  His last address was 2218 Hill Lane South, St. Louis Park.