Students meet singer Sy Smith after she performed with MUSE/IQUE, a nonprofit music organization, as they celebrated the legacy of Central Avenue and its impact on the Los Angeles jazz scene at Jefferson High School in Los Angeles on Friday, September 9, 2022. Some they paid tribute to like, Dexter Gordon and Etta James, went to Jefferson High. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Sy Smith and LaVance Colley sing a jazz piece as
MUSE/IQUE, a nonprofit music organization, celebrates the legacy of Central Avenue and its impact on the Los Angeles jazz scene at Jefferson High School in Los Angeles on Friday, September 9, 2022. Some they paid tribute to like, Dexter Gordon and Etta James, went to Jefferson High. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Students watch MUSE/IQUE, a nonprofit music organization, celebrate the legacy of Central Avenue and its impact on the Los Angeles jazz scene at Jefferson High School in Los Angeles on Friday, September 9, 2022. Some they paid tribute to like, Dexter Gordon and Etta James, went to Jefferson High. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Trumpeter Eddie Rodriguez shows students his trumpet mute as MUSE/IQUE, a nonprofit music organization, celebrates the legacy of Central Avenue and its impact on the Los Angeles jazz scene at Jefferson High School in Los Angeles on Friday, September 9, 2022. Some they paid tribute to like, Dexter Gordon and Etta James, went to Jefferson High. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Sy Smith sings a jazz piece as MUSE/IQUE, a nonprofit music organization, celebrates the legacy of Central Avenue and its impact on the Los Angeles jazz scene at Jefferson High School in Los Angeles on Friday, September 9, 2022. Some they paid tribute to like, Dexter Gordon and Etta James, went to Jefferson High. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Sy Smith sings a jazz piece as MUSE/IQUE, a nonprofit music organization, celebrates the legacy of Central Avenue and its impact on the Los Angeles jazz scene at Jefferson High School in Los Angeles on Friday, September 9, 2022. Some they paid tribute to like, Dexter Gordon and Etta James, went to Jefferson High. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Artistic dir. Rachael Worby and Singer LaVance Colley share a moment as MUSE/IQUE, a nonprofit music organization, celebrates the legacy of Central Avenue and its impact on the Los Angeles jazz scene at Jefferson High School in Los Angeles on Friday, September 9, 2022. Some they paid tribute to like, Dexter Gordon and Etta James, went to Jefferson High. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Myron McKinley, of Earth, Wind and Fire performs as MUSE/IQUE, a nonprofit music organization, celebrates the legacy of Central Avenue and its impact on the Los Angeles jazz scene at Jefferson High School in Los Angeles on Friday, September 9, 2022. Some they paid tribute to like, Dexter Gordon and Etta James, went to Jefferson High. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Singer LaVance Colley performs as MUSE/IQUE, a nonprofit music organization, celebrates the legacy of Central Avenue and its impact on the Los Angeles jazz scene at Jefferson High School in Los Angeles on Friday, September 9, 2022. Some they paid tribute to like, Dexter Gordon and Etta James, went to Jefferson High. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The auditorium seats at Jefferson High School in Los Angeles are seen on Friday, September 9, 2022 during MUSE/IQUE’s celebration of the legacy of Central Avenue and its impact on the Los Angeles jazz on Friday, September 9, 2022. Some they paid tribute to like, Dexter Gordon and Etta James, went to Jefferson High. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lula Washington Dance perform as MUSE/IQUE, a nonprofit music organization, celebrates the legacy of Central Avenue and its impact on the Los Angeles jazz scene at Jefferson High School in Los Angeles on Friday, September 9, 2022. Some they paid tribute to like, Dexter Gordon and Etta James, went to Jefferson High. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
LAUSD Sup. Alberto Carvalho speaks as MUSE/IQUE, a nonprofit music organization, celebrates the legacy of Central Avenue and its impact on the Los Angeles jazz scene at Jefferson High School in Los Angeles on Friday, September 9, 2022. Some they paid tribute to like, Dexter Gordon and Etta James, went to Jefferson High. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The DC6 Singers Collective perform as MUSE/IQUE, a nonprofit music organization, celebrates the legacy of Central Avenue and its impact on the Los Angeles jazz scene at Jefferson High School in Los Angeles on Friday, September 9, 2022. Some they paid tribute to like, Dexter Gordon and Etta James, went to Jefferson High. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Students meet singer Sy Smith after she performed with MUSE/IQUE, a nonprofit music organization, as they celebrated the legacy of Central Avenue and its impact on the Los Angeles jazz scene at Jefferson High School in Los Angeles on Friday, September 9, 2022. Some they paid tribute to like, Dexter Gordon and Etta James, went to Jefferson High. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Sy Smith and LaVance Colley sing a jazz piece as
MUSE/IQUE, a nonprofit music organization, celebrates the legacy of Central Avenue and its impact on the Los Angeles jazz scene at Jefferson High School in Los Angeles on Friday, September 9, 2022. Some they paid tribute to like, Dexter Gordon and Etta James, went to Jefferson High. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
High School students got a lesson on jazz and the Los Angeles jazz scene on Central Avenue last week at Jefferson High School’s auditorium.
Artistic director Rachael Worby led a concert featuring singers Sy Smith, La Vance Colley and The DC6 Singers Collective as MUSE/IQUE, a nonprofit music organization, presented “Central Avenue.”
The thoroughfare was the heart of the jazz scene south of downtown Los Angeles from the 1930s to the 60s.
Jefferson High School was, aptly, where some greats, like singer Etta James, saxophonist Dexter Gordon and dancer/choreographer Alvin Ailey went to school.
The performance also paid tribute to singer Merry Clayton and composer Duke Ellington.
“The students may not be aware of the tremendous musical legacy,” said Brian Colburn, CEO of MUSE/IQUE. “We want students to take pride in it.”
Musician Dexter Story, who joined students in the audience, spoke of being named after jazz great Dexter Gordon after his father hung out on Central Avenue.
