The Department of Cultural Affairs and Councilman Curren Price, hosted the annual Central Avenue Jazz Festival on Saturday and Sunday, July 27 and 28. Traditionally, the last weekend in July, the festival offers four stages, four pavilions, ample food and vendor booths and stretches along historic Central Avenue, between MLK, Jr. Blvd. and Vernon Ave. in South Los Angeles.
Beginning in 1996, the free event is known for featuring live jazz. Along with a stellar lineup of renown artists, such as Barbara Morrison, Stephon Harris, and Cassandra Wilson, and so many more, the festival also spotlights young local musicians and high school bands, such as jazz great Kamasi Washington, who performed in the festival far before he became such a force in music industry.
The festival offered four pavilions: The Balfour Beatty Youth Pavilion, with a number of activities, from Jumpers, Face painting and Airbrushing, to various art-making workshops; Health & Wellness Pavilion, providing basic health screenings, from blood pressure checks, diabetes/sugar, and immunizations for children and community awareness Health Talks; the Art Pavilion, featuring cutting-edge artwork from top artists in Los Angeles, including live art demonstrations by local muralists; and the Business Development & Employment Resources Pavilion, providing on site resources and information for emerging businesses, entrepreneurs, job seekers and employers.
The festival offered affordable choices of amazing food, representing the various cultures that make up South L.A., as well as clothes, art, jewelry, and other merchants, to adult beverages in the Beer Gardens.
“The Central Avenue Jazz Festival is a celebration of the past, present and future of jazz,” said Councilman Curren Price, who hosts the fan-favorite event in the 9th District. “It is the City’s gift to music lovers of all ages, backgrounds and from all corners of the world.
This free family-friendly event allows the entire Los Angeles community to come together to honor the history of Central Avenue by paying tribute to jazz greats such as Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Charles Mingus and Dexter Gordon, while putting a spotlight on younger, emerging artists that are continuing this rich art form. Next year we’ll be celebrating our 25th anniversary, and we’re going to make it extra special!”
