By Ricky Richardson | Contributing Writer
Los Angeles, CA – The month of August will be written in the jazz history books with a couple of notations. The entry will include the postponement of two jazz festivals. One of the festivals has been produced for over three decades. The other festival was making a debut with a magnificent showcase of jazz, Latin Jazz, and Caribbean music throughout Los Angeles.
I’m a person who has finally processed all of this. I’m a person who sees this as the glass half full, a Blessing in disguise, or as a silver lining. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, this has brought greater awareness and appreciation of the vibrant, thriving jazz scene in the “City of Angels.”
The Leimert Park Jazz Festival, a celebration of jazz, community, and culture, proves the popularity of jazz in Los Angeles and beyond.
This will mark the 7th Annual Leimert Park Jazz Festival, which is Executive Produced by Diane Robertson, in association with The World Stage. Thousands of jazz aficionados, art patrons, and foodies gather each year to enjoy the sounds of jazz, art, and a variety of food options in the heart of the African American community.
You are in for an unforgettable time while relaxing and dancing to music of an intergenerational lineup of artists, DJ sets between performances, Visual Arts Pavilion, Kid’s Zone with fun, family-friendly hands-on activities, food court, wine and beer lounge, Community Resources Zone, Leimert Park Jazz Festival Merch Booth, and Music Artists Merch Booth. These are the ingredients for a great day in Leimert Park Village.
This year’s iteration of the Leimert Park Jazz Festival is held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza (Rooftop Parking Deck), 3650 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Los Angeles, CA. 90008.
Rhonda Hamilton and José Rizo, KJAZZ, 88.1FM, return to host the 7th Annual Leimert Park Jazz Festival.
This year’s headliner is José James, celebrating 100 years of Coltrane. José James reimagines the genius of jazz’s spirit father with an electrifying new tribute. Facing East is a soul-stirring homage to the legendary saxophonist, John Coltrane.
Pianist, composer, and cultural steward Bobby West is a living legend and central figure in the Los Angeles jazz Continuum. His artistry is deeply rooted in the legacy of Central Avenue and Leimert Park, where he emerged as part of the lineage shaped by the visionary influence of Horace Tapscott.
Celebrating the Life and Music of Ryan Porter, West Coast Get Down is the acclaimed, groundbreaking Los Angeles Collective whose genre-defying blend of jazz, funk, soul, hip-hop and fusion helped redefine modern jazz for a new generation. This special performance honors the life and legacy of trombonist, composer, and Los Angeles native Ryan Porter (1979-2026).
Afro-Cuban percussionist, educator, and cultural ambassador, Melena brings the rhythms and traditions of Cuba to the festival. Through her artistry and scholarship, she preserves and celebrates the rich tradition of Afro-Cuban music while bringing its energy to contemporary audiences.
Kenneth Brown II has already performed alongside some of today’s most accomplished artists while developing a distinctive voice rooted in jazz tradition and contemporary Black music. Kenneth is blazing a distinct path as an exciting young artist.
Pullum Center Youth Jazz Band is a legendary cultural institute in Leimert Park. Fernando Pullum has mentored and inspired generations of young musicians throughout Los Angeles, helping launch artistic careers while preserving the traditions and values of jazz.
The Leimert Park Jazz Festival is a L.A.-based 501©(3) nonprofit organization (Federal Tax ID 93-4239725) with a mission to preserve jazz, nurture the next generation of artists, cultivate audiences, and expand equitable access to jazz-centered arts programming that strengthens community and promotes well-being.
For more information about tickets and the lineup, visit https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.leimertparkjazzfestival.org&d=DwIF-g&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=H87LzY2vqthYlOFokKtR2g&m=MZepQdO2-bol-CnO6A5uMBiOtYTn1d7kuShCUOvqmUWEVmhC_hqu0nTy8JVlFxy7&s=8W-NMhOjkNiJsoPVZOKgNua-A28Xr-rU1TSPSjjV_u0&e=
For information about parking and other important information, visit https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.leimertparkjazzfestival.org_know-2Dbefore-2Dyou-2Dgo&d=DwIF-g&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=H87LzY2vqthYlOFokKtR2g&m=MZepQdO2-bol-CnO6A5uMBiOtYTn1d7kuShCUOvqmUWEVmhC_hqu0nTy8JVlFxy7&s=QsPwSjtMzkQjzZ612qpCTyVS1uf8leaL5VVgsg_-mpw&e= .
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