Tom Wince: from sharecrop, to bellhop, to The Red Tops, to a mic drop

VICKSBURG, Miss. by Evan Winschel (VDN) — Today’s featured plot is dedicated to the one and only Tom Wince.

Picture it: Clay Street in its heyday, long before the interstate bypassed our downtown and the destruction of urban renewal. Imagine a flashy car, complete with a small chandelier, driven by an even flashier man. Dressed to the nines with his hand resting out of the window in the sunlight, shimmers of light emanated from a 10-carat diamond ring — almost as legendary as the man himself.

Long before Tom made his fame in Vicksburg, he was born in the Oak Ridge community north of town in 1911. The son of a sharecropper, he knew from an early age the value of a dollar and the hard work it entails. His entrepreneurial spirit, even in youth, led him to start picking and bagging pecans to sell in town.

For the nominal fee of 25 cents a ride, Tom would catch a lift to town from one of his neighbors, Tom Money. Economics, as we know, has a tendency toward inflation. Soon, Mr. Money increased his fare to 50 cents, then 75. Once the dollar mark was hit, Tom decided to stay put in Vicksburg, as “it was cheaper to stay in town.”

With the pecan hustle behind him, Tom secured a position as a bellhop at the National Park Hotel. Eventually, his irresistible charm and magnetism landed him the job of waiter. Who better to convince a patron to order another bottle of the finest wine or a slice of the most indulgent dessert?

With his service industry experience and knowledge established, Tom folded up his apron and opened The Jitterbug Den in 1937. The Den proved to be a success — so much so that Tom was able to save enough to purchase the building outright in 1941. By this time, Tom’s vision for the venue had shifted. He launched a complete remodel and name change.

With fresh paint and a new ballroom, Tom opened the doors of the former Jitterbug and introduced Vicksburg to its reincarnation: The Blue Room.

The years to follow would see Tom and his lounge become one of the most famous venues in the South, and Vicksburg host to some of the biggest names in music. The eye-catching red and blue piano felt the touch of legends such as Fats Domino, Ray Charles and Joe Liggins. The stage saw the likes of Dinah Washington, Roy Brown, B.B. King, T-Bone Walker and Vicksburg’s own The Red Tops.

Perhaps the most legendary entertainer to perform at the club came during the height of segregation: Louis Armstrong.

Upon his arrival, The Blue Room was filled to capacity, with people of both races separated by roped-off sections. As they say, music is the universal language. As the night wore on, the ropes disappeared, and everyone danced — without boundaries or separation.

The crowd was so immense that Tom began to fear the collapse of the building. The following day, an article appeared in the paper recounting the events of the night and the proposal Louis Armstrong made to Tom.

While Tom was congratulating him on a roaring success, Mr. Armstrong offered to trade his solid gold trumpet (gifted to him by the King of England) for Tom’s iconic ring. Needless to say, neither man parted with his treasure.

For 31 years, Tom successfully operated The Blue Room — and made a lot of money from it, too. Of his success, he told CBS correspondent Charles Kuralt, “I never want to die rich. I just want to get the things I want on Earth,” before jokingly concluding with a look upward, “I might not get up there.”

Like many towns across the country in the 1970s, urban renewal swept across downtown districts. Vicksburg — and The Blue Room — fell victim, and the club closed its doors permanently in 1972.

Unable to walk away from the business entirely, Tom opened a smaller venue called The Barrel. But the success of The Blue Room was not to be replicated, and in 1978, Tom passed away.

He is buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery, and his marble grave is carved to mimic The Blue Room’s sign — a star.

Cedar Hill Cemetery Association was formed in 2024 with the goal of assisting the City of Vicksburg in restoration and beautification of our historic Cedar Hill Cemetery. The Association will be presenting its inaugural tour event “Voices from the Hills” on October 16, 17, and 18, 2025 as part of Vicksburg’s Bicentennial Celebrations. For more information or to get involved, contact chcassociation@yahoo.com or visit their Facebook page.