Cuba LA performing at the 18th Annual Central Avenue Jazz Festival.

Count on it:  the last weekend of July is the weekend for the Central Avenue Jazz Festival.  This year is the 18th annual festival on Central Avenue, between 42nd and 43rd streets.

This year’s line-up included old favorites like Ernie Andrews and the Gerald Wilson Orchestra, and Latin jazz acts like Cuba LA.

The festival pays tribute to Central Avenue’s historic connection to the Los Angeles jazz scene when musicians like Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington and Billy Holiday stayed at the Dunbar Hotel and jammed at the jazz clubs that dotted the street.

The Dunbar Hotel was renovated and recently opened as a senior living facility.   During this year’s jazz festival, young music act, such as the A Place Called Home music group played in the Dunbar’s courtyard. [Read more…]