Thursday, March 28, 2024

Central Avenue Jazz Festival-Keep That Same Old Feeling

Katia Moraes: Photo Credit, Ricky Richardson
Katia Moraes: Photo Credit, Ricky Richardson
T. C. Carson and Band: Photo Credit, Ricky Richardson
T. C. Carson and Band: Photo Credit, Ricky Richardson

*Councilmember Curren D. Price, Jr. and The New 9th in conjunction with Coalition For Responsible Community Development in partnership with Concerned Citizens of South Central, Central Ave. BID and SHEROES presented the 21st Annual Central Avenue Jazz Festival, Saturday, July 30, and Sunday, July 31, 2016.

Councilmember Curren D. Price, Jr. 9th District: Photo Credit, Ricky Richardson
Councilmember Curren D. Price, Jr. 9th District: Photo Credit, Ricky Richardson

This amazing family friendly festival was held along Central Avenue between Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd and Vernon Avenue. For two decades and counting, the Central Avenue Jazz Festival has helped to celebrate the musical history and culture of South Los Angeles, the west coast birthplace of Jazz music, America’s #1 art form. A huge crowd strolled up and down Central Avenue enjoying all that the festival had to offer.

Central Avenue Jazz Festival postcard: Photo Credit, Ricky Richardson
Central Avenue Jazz Festival postcard: Photo Credit, Ricky Richardson
Central Avenue Jazz Park: Photo Credit, Ricky Richardson
Central Avenue Jazz Park: Photo Credit, Ricky Richardson

Three stages provided non-stop top notch live musical performances. My day begin at Stage 2 to hear the Jimmy McConnell Super Big Band with special guest Sylvia Boyd. The crowd and I were digging their explosive Big Band arrangements of jazz standards and classic covers of pop tunes.

Jimmy McConnell: Photo Credit, Ricky Richardson
Jimmy McConnell: Photo Credit, Ricky Richardson
Jimmy McConnell Super Big Band: Photo Credit, Ricky Richardson
Jimmy McConnell Super Big Band: Photo Credit, Ricky Richardson

Michael Session Sextet continued in a straight-ahead mode. They opened their crowd pleasing set with “Milestones” and continued with “Donde Esta Axe” by Nate Morgan, which translate to Where is your ax (musical instrument). Vocalist, flautist and harp player Maia joined the band to sing “Pretty Eyes” by Horace Silver and additional tunes.

Michael Session: Photo Credit, Ricky Richardson
Michael Session: Photo Credit, Ricky Richardson

Saxophonist Aaron Shaw was tearing it up on the Main Stage with a group of young jazz lions. Katia Moraes & Brazilian Hearts took the crowd and me on a musical journey into the marvelous sounds from various regions throughout Brazil.

Aaron Shaw: Photo Credit, Ricky Richardson
Aaron Shaw: Photo Credit, Ricky Richardson

Saxophonist Christopher Astoquillca was quite busy this day performing at multiple Peruvian Independence Day Celebrations. Christopher was making a return engagement leading his own band. He brought in a group of young cats, Matthew Sampson-trumpet, Drew Dennet-bass, Adam Hurst-keyboards and Makela Session on drums and then they got into something on the tunes “Blue Bossa,” “Cherokee,” “Youngest Scholar” an original composition, followed by “Impressions” by John Coltrane while also honoring the legacy of Rahsaan Roland Kirk by playing two saxophones at the same time. They moved on with “Stomping at the Savoy,” and concluded their set with “A Night in Tunisia.”

Christopher Astoquillca: Photo Credit, Ricky Richardson
Christopher Astoquillca: Photo Credit, Ricky Richardson

Another highlight of day one featured new school crooner T. C. Carson, yes, that’s right, Kyle Barker. T. C. Carson is a singer and stage and voice and television actor best known for portraying Kyle Barker on the FOX sitcom Living Single featuring Queen Latifah, Erica Alexander, Kim Fields and John Henton.  You probably recognized his distinct baritone voice from Star Wars: The Clone Wars as voice double for Samuel L. Jackson. T. C. Carson was superbly aided by Julius Speed-keys, Dale Adkins-bass and Larry Newson-drums. They thoroughly entertained the crowd with some jazz standards and classic R&B soul tunes on “My Favorite Thing,” “ I Saw the Midnight Sun,” “Taste” (Of Your Love), “I Want to Be Your Lover” in a tribute to Prince, “Inner City Blues” a timely tune, as it relates to the current Presidential elections and issue facing urban communities throughout America.

T. C. Carson: Photo Credit, Ricky Richardson
T. C. Carson: Photo Credit, Ricky Richardson

My day ended with a partial set from the Banda Brothers on Stage 2 and a few songs from The Los Angeles Jazz Orchestra Unlimited a group of jazz heavy hitters with Kenny Burrell-Artistic Director, Dr. Bobby Rodriguez and Charley Harrison-Conductors.

Kenny Burrell: Photo Credit, Ricky Richardson
Kenny Burrell: Photo Credit, Ricky Richardson

Sunday, Day 2 of the festival presented picante sets of Latin Jazz/Salsa supplied by the Bravo High School Latin Jazz Band directed by Gil Flores. This group of talented youngsters sounded tight and like professional musicians, that defy their age. Bobby Matos Latin Jazz Ensemble continued with a high octane set of original and other Latin jazz standards.

Legendary jazz Singer Ernie Andrews, aka “Mr. Central Avenue is an entertainer’s entertainer. He held court on Sunday on the Main Stage. Every tune was followed by thunderous applause, as jazz aficionados are always enthralled during a solid performance by this legend of the early days of Central Avenue.

Ernie Andrews: Photo Credit, Ricky Richardson
Ernie Andrews: Photo Credit, Ricky Richardson

Justo Almario Afro-Colombian Jazz Ensemble capped off a memorable and joyous celebration with sounds/rhythms representing the African diaspora.

Justo Almario Afro-Colombian Jazz Ensemble: Photo Credit, Ricky Richardson
Justo Almario Afro-Colombian Jazz Ensemble: Photo Credit, Ricky Richardson
Justo Almario Afro-Colombian Jazz Ensemble: Photo Credit, Ricky Richardson
Justo Almario Afro-Colombian Jazz Ensemble: Photo Credit, Ricky Richardson
Justo Almario Afro-Colombian Jazz Ensemble: Photo Credit, Ricky Richardson
Justo Almario Afro-Colombian Jazz Ensemble: Photo Credit, Ricky Richardson

People took a break a from the music to browse the popular Youth Pavilion, Health & Wellness Pavilion, Arts Pavilion and the Business Development & Employment Resources Pavilion.

A good time was had by all in attendance, and they walked away with some swag, and a ton of helpful information.

Ricky Richardson is a Southern California based writer, music reviewer and photographer. Contact him via: [email protected]

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