Photo: Isaac Ceja / Impremedia
From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, the Los Angeles community gathered in the south of the city to dance, eat and have fun at the Central Avenue Jazz Festival.
This year the 28th anniversary of the festival was celebrated, but it was the return of the great party to the streets since 2019 due to the pandemic.
The Central Avenue Jazz Festival celebrates the legacy of the historic Central Avenue corridor in South Los Angeles. The festival is a free, family-friendly event that honors great jazz artists such as Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Charles Mingus, Gerald Wilson and Dexter Gordon.
In addition to the musical performances, there were arts and crafts, medical services, food and vendors lining Central Avenue from Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to Vernon Avenue, in a district that is already majority Latino.
In the art pavilion, Amir Whitaker of Central, artist and co-founder of Afro Unidad, had a table with his work celebrating the diaspora of the African American community.
Afro Unidad began in 2020 with the goal of teaching and celebrating the variety of cultures and traditions of African descent. Currently they have members in 16 countries and in Los Angeles every last Sunday of the month they meet to drum in Leimert Park.
Whitaker explained that he loves the community that comes together at the Central Avenue Jazz Festival, but he also loves the history of the place.
“Here, along the Central Avenue corridor, you have a really rich history that is starting to fade,” Whitaker said. “A lot of people don’t know that people like Etta James went to school two blocks away, at Jefferson High School, and Dexter Gordon and all these famous musicians and singers. Simply because it has been an ever-changing community.”
USC’s Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry had students checking the community’s teeth, an area of great need. At the end of the day, students had the opportunity to review 60 people during the festival.
Kimberly Márquez did not know about the event, but when she found out she immediately took her family to have a good time. However, when she realized the dental services they were providing for free, she did not hesitate to take her son.
“It’s very good for people who can’t go to the dentist. You just sign up and get your teeth checked for free.” Marquez said. “I feel happy that people can come here and do this (take advantage of dental problems). Even if it is once a year, but, you know, some people do not have the opportunity to pay for this service.”
At the Central Avenue Jazz Festival, there were also activities for children. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) had three work tables with materials inspired by jazz artwork.
According to Nini Sánchez, LACMA’s education coordinator for community programs, more than 150 people made works of art during the festival.
“We are here to be able to invite families and people of all ages to make art and let them know about the museum, tell them about the different programs that exist and also let them know that we are here in South Los Angeles.” Sanchez explained. “We offer workshops throughout the year in different libraries and parks in this area.”
Mila Myles, one of the participants who arrived by chance, said that she did not expect to find so much love and so many people. The young woman is originally from Detroit and expressed that she always attends the jazz festival in her state with her family.
“There’s food, there’s culture, there’s music, there’s a lot of love and open arms from every vendor, whether they’re giving you keychains, bags, noodles or margarita-type jello shots. It’s really amazing”. Myles said. “Everyone came here with an open heart and ready to enjoy the dance. “It’s really nice to see a lot of the older adults in the community socialize with us.”
Mario López and his son Mario Jr. walked together during the festival enjoying the music and works of art. The father of the family said that he came to the festival for the first time 15 years ago and since then he has tried to come every year because he always learns something and has a good time.
Although on this occasion, the moment was special because for the first time he brought his son to teach him jazz music and to learn something new about the different cultures that reside and coexist in Southern California.
López explained that he sits with his son to listen to jazz music and that way he appreciates it little by little. She hopes that, in the future, as an adult, the little one can come at his expense to enjoy the event annually.
“It is important that you learn the meaning of the event and what is celebrated today.”
López is part of the 75% Latino population that already lives in the area.