This Weekend! 23rd Annual Central Avenue Jazz Festival in South Los Angeles
23rd Annual Central Avenue Jazz Festival this Saturday July 28 & Sunday July 29, 2018 in Los Angeles Featuring All-Star Lineup and Legendary Greats
23rd Annual Central Avenue Jazz Festival Returns with Silky Sounds, Multicultural Foods, Interactive Pavilions and Activities for All Ages
FREE annual favorite festival returns July 28-29 and includes performances by TC Carson, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Harvey Mason Chameleon Band, Pete Escovedo Orchestra, Betty Bryant, Ernie Andrews, Mark de Clive-Lowe and more.
LOS ANGELES—Legendary artists Betty Bryant and the Pete Escovedo Orchestra are among the dozens of performers taking the stage at the 23rd Annual Central Avenue Jazz Festival July 28-29. For more than two decades, the FREE music festival has been a staple for the South Los Angeles community, celebrating the region’s rich cultural past and turning the spotlight on what was once considered the heart of the Jazz scene.
FREE outdoor festival on July 28-29 features musical performances, range of resources, live art demonstrations, kid-friendly soccer games, confidential medical screenings and more
FREE Central Avenue Jazz Festival has been a staple for the South Los Angeles community. The revered summer event honors the historic rich cultural past of Central Avenue—once considered the epicenter of Jazz music— and returns July 28-29 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
- GRoW @ Annenberg Health & Wellness Pavilion will provide free and confidential medical services for everyone in the family including health, vision and dental screenings. Healthy eating tips will be provided, along with cooking demonstrations.
- Arts Pavilion curated by LA Mancha Gallery, featuring cutting-edge artwork from top artists in Los Angeles, as well as live art demonstrations from local muralists and graffiti artists.
- The NEW 9th Business & Jobs Pavilion inviting emerging and established business owners, entrepreneurs and job seekers to obtain important information that will guide them down the path to success.
- Balfour Beatty Youth Pavilion where children can enjoy fun soccer games presented by Street Soccer USA, learn the basics of traditional Cuban Rumba provided by Latin Percussion and a chance to create your own acrylic painting led by the non-profit organization Art Active. There will also be carnival games and arts & crafts.
The two-day celebration will have an array of food trucks and vendors that will provide a variety of multicultural dishes, such as Mexican barbeque, Jamaican cuisine, vegan options and Soul food for purchase.
“We want people to come for the music but stay for the unique experience!” said Councilman Curren D. Price, Jr., who hosts the fan-favorite event in the 9th District. “Where else can you get a free summer concert complete with medical screenings, enjoyable physical activities and art classes? This festival truly has something for everybody.”
Each year, the Central Avenue Jazz Festival draws tens of thousands of people to enjoy live entertainment from legends and up-and-coming artists.
Festival parking is extremely limited and public transit and ride sharing is highly recommended. For more information on the 23rd Annual Central Avenue Jazz Festival, including artists’ bios, vendor information and shuttle service, please visit www.centralavejazzfest.com.
Held along Central Avenue between King Boulevard and Vernon Avenue, the citywide signature event features back-to-back concerts from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on three stages.
SATURDAY JULY 28, 2018
Myron McKinley Trio
McKinley is a pianist, producer, songwriter, programmer and film score composer for large box office films and television shows. Born and raised in Los Angeles and a University of Southern California alumni, McKinley is the current music director and keyboardist of the legendary R&B Jazz Funk group “Earth, Wind & Fire”
Pete Escovedo Orchestra
Legendary Percussionist Pete Escovedo is an artist who broke down the barriers between Smooth Jazz-Salsa-Latin Jazz and contemporary music. His name has been synonymous in the music industry for more than 40 years.
Mark de Clive-Lowe
Musical maverick, juggling piano, synths, live sampling and beat making all on-the-fly, brought to life with a casual ease that’s mind-boggling. Clive-Lowe has contributed to over 300 releases and has been featured at festivals including Montreal Jazz, North Sea Jazz and Uberjazz and is an established globally-touring performer.
Boogaloo Assassins
Boogaloo Assassins are a Los Angeles-based 12-piece Latin band with asound and style inspired by the Latin Boogaloo, Latin Soul, Salsa and Latin Funk records of the 1960s and 70s.
Kátia Moraes and Brazilian Hearts
The Brazilian singer/songwriter/educator/producer Kátia Moraes began her career in Rio de Janeiro in the 1980s with the band O Espírito da Coisa.
Betty Bryant
A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Betty Bryant, dubbed “Cool Miss B” by her fans and fellow musicians, is a revered pianist/singer who brings a solid piano technique, a light, swinging touch and a skilled vocal approach to her music.
TC Carson
He is a jazz vocalist, voiceover artist and actor best known for his portrayal of the debonair Kyle Barker on the hit sitcom “Living Single.”
Harvey Mason Chameleon Band
Kenneth Dixon Quintet
LAUSD Youth Jazz Combo
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SUNDAY JULY 29, 2018
Tierney Sutton Band
8-time Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist. The New York Times wrote: “Aserious jazz artist who takes the whole enterprise to another level.”
Spanish Harlem Orchestra
The two-time Grammy winning Salsa and Latin Jazz band, sets the standard for excellence for authentic, New York style, hard core Salsa. Live or recorded, it doesn’t get any better.
Connie Han Trio
With her debut Mack Avenue Records album CRIME ZONE, next generation Los Angeles pianist Connie Han has created an edgy blend of new and old jazz.
Francisco Torres Latin Jazz Band
He is the trombonist and musical director for the Grammy-Award winning Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band who hails from the state of Sonora, Mexico but calls Los Angeles, California home.
Gretchen Parlato
Described as “a singer with a deep, almost magical connection to the music.”– Herbie Hancock.
Katalyst
The ten piece band has played at Walt Disney Concert Hall with the Inner City Youth Orchestra and a host of events and concerts in the Los Angeles area as well as being the creators of the #Inglewoodstock popup concert series
Ernie Andrews & Richard Simon Band
Ernie Andrews has managed to be both popular and underrated throughout his lengthy career and is also prominent in the documentary Blues for Central Avenue.
Roy Gaines & Tuxedo Blues
He has toured and recorded with blues greats like Chuck Willis and Ray Charles and did session work for Bobby Blue Bland and Junior Parker.
Andrae Alexander
A veteran of The Marine Corps and a pianist in The United States Navy Band of Washington D.C., Andrae is an accomplished musician, songwriter, producer, author and performer.
Katelyn Hunter
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“For this festival, we wanted to present a special program unlike anything we’ve seen before,” said Councilman Curren D. Price, Jr., who hosts the fan favorite event in Council District 9. “It was important to me that we pay homage to the traditional sounds and historical predecessors while integrating other genre influences.
“This fusion allows us to connect with our devoted jazz enthusiasts while generating a wider appeal and drawing in new fans who will ensure that this continues to be one of the biggest and best jazz festivals in the nation.”
Each year, the Central Avenue Jazz Festival draws tens of thousands of people from across the U.S. In addition to live performances by world-class favorites and up-and-coming artists, the revered summer event includes pavilions focused on arts; Balfour Beatty Youth; GRoW @ Annenberg Health and Wellness; and business/employment services, as well as the participation of merchants and food vendors.
For more information on the 23rd Annual Central Avenue Jazz Festival, including a complete schedule of performances, please visit www.centralavejazzfest.com
Presented by COUNCILMAN CURREN D. PRICE, JR. and The NEW 9th
In conjunction with Coalition for Responsible Community Development
In partnership with Concerned Citizens for South Central Los Angeles
