Leimert Park Jazz Festival, An Annual Community Event
My favorite local, Leimert Park event: the annual Leimert Park Jazz Festival. The 2022 season just completed and I am still impressed with the quality of musicians and the crowds that flocked to my small corner to enjoy the event.
The Stage at the Leimert Park Jazz Festival
The Early Days
We first moved to the area in 2016 and immediately joined the local block club to give back to the local community. At the time, the block club tradition was to host to a summer Sutro Ave Block Club Soiree, a neighborly block party where the local street was shut down for a family-friendly gathering with food trucks, a bounce house, and performers. At first, the big crowd pleaser was the bounce house and kids play zone which young children flocked to. As an adult, I found the adult activities lacking; which was odd because a majority of residents were retired people without small children. The following year, a small line-up of jazz musicians were added to the line-up. The stage was a compact 10’x10’ and had a shaded tent and astro turf demarcating the jazz lounge from the rest of the activities. I volunteered to man the tent, helping check IDs. Even then, I knew it was a special event. The jazz lounge was packed all-day with people who stood a high-tops, sipped wine, and enjoyed the music. It was truly a success. I knew we had something special. When it came time to do the block club the following year, the tent was 5x bigger with an expanded stage and audience area. The concept remained the same. And no surprise, the jazz lounge 2.0 was a huge success again, remaining packed throughout the entire event.
It was at this time, that the Executive Producer, Diane Robertson, decided to open it open to the larger community and associating it not just with the Sutro Ave Block Club - but Leimert Park. It made sense. Leimert Park is home to the World Stage and has a long history of talented musicians living and performing in South LA. It was an homage to the history, talent, people and community. As a member of the block club, we were overjoyed with the idea of an annual Leimert Park Jazz Festival! Diane took the idea and ran with it.
Food trucks abound
The first year the Leimert Park Jazz Festival launched, it was at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Mall - in the outdoor, upper deck parking lot. It was the first time it was not on Sutro Ave. It was the first time it held its own: a community, music festival, truly drawing a community crowd. There were permitting complications so the wine and beer tent was not allowed. But the musicians continued shined and impress! There was a large stage, and an audience area with a few hundred chairs for festival goers. As per tradition, it was held in August, and it was a bit hot - so we were not able to stay long before feeling exhausted. The musicians, performers, and setup continued to expand with more amenities (a dedicated musician area, unloading / loading, VIP, parking, a food court, etc). The block club continued to be involved - volunteering to coordinate and execute the setup- with help from a range of community members.
VIP section = full shade and fancy table and chairs
The beer and lounge tent
Pop-ups from various organizations, galleries, non-profits, government organizations, and more
The Jazz Classics feat. Patrice Rushen on piano, Ernie Watts on sax, Marvin “Smitty” Smith on drums and Edwin Livingston on bass. At the Leimert Park Jazz Festival Aug 2022
Now an Annual Event
And now - I am so proud to say in 2022, the Leimert Park Jazz Festival has truly grown and spread its wings (3 years old!). With the largest turnout to-date, the stage and audience area has expanded by two fold. The artist line-up continues highlighting talented musicians. The food court grew to include even more food vendors (deserts this year!). At it’s height, there was standing-room only.
Leimert Park Festival swag table! Merch is still sold on their website here
I cannot express how truly proud I am of Diane Robertson, Dwight Trible and the entire team, partners and sponsors that plan, execute and contributes to make the Leimert Jazz Festival what it is today. It’s been an honor to be involved in the beginning and watch it grow from its start as a neighborhood block club event to the centerpiece of the community. I am thankful and proud to be part of the Leimert Park community and support great events such as this.
Mark your calendars for the next, annual Leimert Park Jazz Festival, often held in August - peak summertime. The 2022 jazz festival completed its lovely run on August 27th - so I look forward to updating this post with next year’s 2023 Leimert Park Jazz Festival details :) #supportlocal
@the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Mall (outdoors)
Held Annually in August
The food trucks
