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LA Jazz Fest Takes Over City Parks
16 Jul
Summary
- A 17-day citywide jazz festival is happening in Los Angeles.
- The festival features diverse artists like Pete Escovedo and Janelle Monáe.
- Venues range from parks and bars to a large beachhead event.
Los Angeles is set to host its inaugural 17-day citywide jazz festival, aiming for a musical takeover akin to New Orleans. The event, commencing on August 7, will feature a diverse lineup including Pete Escovedo, Ezra Collective, and Janelle Monáe. Free concerts in city parks, a Caribbean street fair, neighborhood bar performances, and a headliner event on Dockweiler Beach are planned.
This ambitious festival, 13 years in the making, invites exploration of Los Angeles's landscape through unique outdoor performances. It also highlights the city's rich jazz history, harkening back to legendary venues like the Dunbar Hotel and the vibrant Central Avenue scene, where icons like Duke Ellington and Count Basie once performed.
Several classic and new jazz clubs are featured, including The Baked Potato, known for its intimate atmosphere since 1970, and The World Stage in Leimert Park, dedicated to empowering local artists and experimental jazz. Catalina Jazz Club offers a nostalgic, family-friendly experience, while the newly opened Blue Note Los Angeles on Sunset Boulevard proves live music's enduring appeal.
Sam First, a west side venue established in 2017, caters to jazz purists and even operates a boutique record label for in-house recordings. These venues collectively showcase the evolution and enduring legacy of jazz in Los Angeles, offering diverse experiences from intimate settings to grand stages.
