The California Jazz and Blues Museum (CJBM) highlights the history of jazz and blues locally and nationally. Local musical artist Barbara Morrison started the museum to educate and inform the community.
“Down Degnan in front of [Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center], for a whole half a block… was the Sankofa Passage and it had all the stars, African American stars, of jazz and blues,” stated Morrison. “I said … ‘we need a museum so people can put picture with a face, with a name on that walk of fame’.”
CJBM opened in April 2017 during Jazz Appreciation Month with performances from established artists such as Stix Hooper of the jazz group, the Crusaders and Charles Wright of the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band. Famed pianist and photographer Larry Farrow’s portrait series “A Musician on Musicians: The Photographic Rif” was on display along with additional music memorabilia.
The California Jazz and Blues Museum is a neighbor to Morrison’s performing arts center in Leimert Park. The museum welcomes guests with photos galore of jazz and blues artists as well as inspired art. The museum also offers lectures and information directly from artists. Morrison would like to invite the community to come visit the museum, which is a rarity within the already rare arts culture of Leimert Park.
For more information on the California Jazz and Blues Museum or the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center, please call (310) 462-1439 or visit www.californiajazzandbluesmuseum.com
