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Central Ave paved way for many historic happenings in Los Angeles, most importantly being those associated with Jazz. Many significant structures on the Ave contributed to both the creation of an African-American enclave and a Jazz scene on the West Coast. It was in 1920, when the Jazz scene on Central began to swing, and from 1920 to 1955 it was the heart of the African-American community in Los Angeles. This was so much the case in fact, that the area was given the nickname “Little Harlem”.

       Jefferson High School, Home of the Demos! Located on Central (1319 E 41st St, Los Angeles, CA 90011), such an establishment contributed greatly to the development of West Coast Jazz. It was at Jefferson where Samuel Brown (1st African-American music teacher in the Los Angeles public school system) taught music and served as a major influence in birthing jazz musicians of Los Angeles. It is in fact because of Brown that Jefferson High School produced more 

jazz musicians and composers than any other high school west of the Mississippi.

Jefferson High School’s importance to Central Ave and its Jazz scene can be attributed to its jazz nurturing nature, its many prominent Jazz figures that it both produced and was associated with, and its serving as a pivotal structure to a newly established African-American enclave. Although Jefferson High School is one of many significant addresses located on Central Ave that relates to Jazz, it is one that contributed greatly to the scene and whose doors are still open.

Firstly, Jefferson High School, located south east of Downtown Los Angeles, served as a school to a community that not only was located at the heart of south central’s jazz scene at the time (in the 1930s), but also one that nurtured Jazz affluent students. These students, who would later go on to establish themselves as either jazz/blues artists/singers, would follow robust music curriculum, which included courses in music theory, music appreciation, harmony, counterpoint, orchestra, band and choir.

Many of Central Avenue’s most accomplished jazz, blues, and bebop players were graduates of this public high school just off the Avenue. The origin of jazz in Los Angeles has been attributed to a number of musicians who moved there from New Orleans. Nightclubs became the physical manifestation of jazz music, and these were mainly located along Central Avenue from Little Tokyo to Watts. As such, the relation to my second point can be made in that: Jefferson High School hosted many prominent Jazz figures that it both produced and was associated with. Of the many Jazz/Blues/Doo-Wop musicians the school produced, the three I will focus on are: Etta James, Curtis Williams, Big Jay McNeely, and Richard Berry. Etta James, born in 1938, was a jazz/blues singer whom is most notably known for “At Last” & “I’d Rather Go Blind”. Curtis Williams of “The Penguins”, who are known for “Earth Angel” (appeared in the film Back to the Future, 1985). Big Jay, who is best known for “There Is Something On Your Mind” has 7+ million streams on YouTube (I also could’ve sworn I’ve heard this in a movie, but did my research and no cigar). Lastly, Richard Berry who’s “Louie Louie” (1957) doesn’t need a ‘Shazam’ to be hip to. This song is featured in many films and TV shows, but my favorite is the ending credits scene of season 5 episode 1 of The Simpsons.

Finally, Jefferson High School served as a pivotal structure to a newly established African-American enclave after the turn of the 20th century. The same way many know Harlem as a historically African-American enclave, the area in and around Central Ave was ironically referred to as “Little Harlem” due to its striking similarities. Harlem’s Apollo theatre and its importance to the neighborhood can be taken by the same token in referring to the many Jazz clubs on Central Ave. However, in this case, looking at the ethnographic nature of Central and its establishing of a Jazz scene and culture, one cannot ignore Jefferson High School’s entity. Such an institution served in nurturing students, musicians, and athletes—all the while sparking an inevitable culture of Jazz within the already affluent Jazz population.

Central Ave paved way for many historic happenings in Los Angeles, most importantly being the many significant structures that contributed to both the creation of an African-American enclave and Jazz scene on the West Coast. It was in 1920, when the Jazz scene on Central began to swing, and from 1920 to 1955 it was the heart of the African-American community in Los Angeles

What used to be of the area and the prominent figures of Jazz that once heralded the streets is long gone, but the rich history and stories behind the many sites on Central Ave that to some remain unseen is still present. Although Jefferson High School is one of many significant addresses located on Central Ave that relates to Jazz, it is one that contributed greatly to the scene and whose doors are still open. Therefore, Jefferson High School’s importance to Central Ave and its Jazz scene are seen in its once Jazz nurturing nature, its many prominent Jazz figures that it both produced and was associated with, and its serving as a pivotal structure to a newly established African-American enclave at the time.