By Ricky Richardson | Contributing Writer
Los Angeles, CA – The region has been experiencing a tropical heatwave for the last couple of weeks. You can feel the heat the moment you step outside.
That didn’t stop a diverse, multicultural crowd of thousands of jazz aficionados, art patrons, and gourmands from gathering on the upper deck of the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza on Saturday, August 29, 2026.
The occasion was the 7th Annual Leimert Park Jazz Festival, the highly anticipated and hottest jazz festival in the month of August. It should be noted that the Leimert Park Jazz Festival is the real deal for authentic jazz and Afro-Cuban music.
Rhonda Hamilton and José Rizo (KJAZZ, 88.1FM) returned as co-hosts for this iteration of the jazz festival on this sizzling Saturday for the final days of the summer. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Councilwoman Heather Hutt were in attendance for the festival. DJ’s Francesca Harding and Novena Carmel entertained the crowd in between live jazz sets.
The future of jazz is in good hands. The Fernando Pullum Community Jazz Band was fantastic while in the opening slot. These talented musicians sound like seasoned professionals on the tracks “Jazz Crimes,” “Boogielastic,” “Red Clay,” and their arrangement of “Thriller” and “You Rock My World.”
Kenneth Brown II is another young lion making a lot of noise in the local and international jazz community. His exciting performance was part of the Emerging Artist set. Trumpeter Kenneth Brown II and his tight band played a set of original compositions. The selections consisted of “Hoopin’ (title track of his latest CD) and continued with “Chukes,” “Alan’s Ambition,” and “The Collective,” to name a few. Kenneth was accompanied by Isaac Green-bass, Zaire King-guitar, Derrick Butler-keyboards/piano, Joshua Christian Childress-sax, and Dante Newcombe Knealy on drums.
Melena dedicated her set to the late great Chano Pozo. Chano Pozo, Cuban jazz percussionist, composer, singer, and dancer, is credited with the founding of Latin Jazz. It’s feeling Hot! Hot! Hot! Melena cranked up the temperature with a fiery set of Afro-Cuban music. The infectious rhythms were a delight for the salsa dancers. The crowd and I were in for an electrifying performance rooted in rhythm, heritage, and the enduring influence of the African diaspora. They opened their set with a nice intro followed by “Congo Yambumba,” “Manteca,” “A Chano Una Rumba Son,” and “Ave Maria Morena.” Melena segued from playing shekere, congas, and Bata drums.
Bobby West, legendary piano player, was next to perform. He opened his awesome set with “Ku’umba’s Rumba.” Their brilliant set continued with “Getting By,” by Kenny Garret. The genius and wizardry of Bobby West was on full display during his performance of “Royal Garden Blues,” a classic track from back in the day. “Big Mondays” was another track performed during their set.
A pause for the cause consisted of acknowledgement and showcasing the artistry and creativity of the Visual Arts Competition Winners. The winners were announced on stage by the Leimert Park Jazz Festival Jurors, Pamela Bright-Moon, Karla Funderburk, and Miela Foster, last year’s art competition winner. 1st Place Winner-Chidi Ukwuoma for the poster entitled “Night and Day.” This poster was featured as the official commemorative poster for the 2026 Leimert Park Jazz Festival. 2nd Place Winner-Debbie Pinker for her poster entitled “Moonlight Village. Third place was awarded to Karien Zachery for her poster entitled “Leimert Park June.
The 2nd Annual Leimert Park Jazz Festival and Holman United Methodist Church scholarship were presented to Joaquin Garde in the Instrumentalist category and Yasmeena Atia Sharif in the vocalist category. The winners were awarded a $2,250 scholarship.
Children had fun playing instruments in the music tent with Cesar Gandara and Darnell Jones.
Headliner José James’s set honored one of the most brilliant composer, improviser and musician, saxophonist John Coltrane. José had the crowd’s undivided attention throughout his mesmerizing performance of “Lush Life,” “They Say It’s Wonderful,” and a captivating arrangement of the classic “Equinox” by John Coltrane. José’s incredible band featured Julius Rodriguez-piano, Ebban Dorsey-sensational saxophonist, Ben Williams- bass, and Jonathan Pinson on drums.
The festival concluded with a solemn remembrance of the life and legacy of trombonist Ryan Porter. The Leimert Park Jazz Festival honored his family during a Presentation in Memory of Ryan Porter. A plaque was presented to the family in attendance: Yeveet Wilson (sister), Andrea Wilson (sister-in-law), and Robyn Wilkes (cousin).
Original compositions and arrangements composed by Ryan Porter were performed by the West Coast Get Down. This powerful tribute featuring select members of the West Coast Get Down, directed by Tony Austin, honored Ryan Porter through music, brotherhood and creative spirit that defined his life and legacy. Members of the West Coast Get Down are Tony Austin-drums, Cameron Graves-piano, Aaron Shaw-sax, Carlitos Del Puerto- bass, and Lemar Guillary-trombone. Ryan Porter’s enduring legacy as an artist, whose generosity, creativity, and artistry will inspire generations to come.