Revisiting Jazz at the Philharmonic

On October 30, SJW takes its audience back in time with a masquerade and concert paying tribute to "Jazz at the Philharmonic" and its legendary artists.

In the early 1940s, Norman Granz began promoting jam sessions at the 331 Club in Los Angeles. In '44, while working for MGM, he borrowed $300 to present a jazz concert at LA's Philharmonic Auditorium. The event featured Illinois Jacquet, Jack McVea, J.J. Johnson, Shorty Sherock, Nat King Cole and Les Paul.

Granz began organizing annual tours with classic swing and bop musicians in a jam-session setting in '46. Some complained that the concerts encouraged grandstanding, but today most critics agree JATP produced a body of significant music--much of which Granz recorded and released on labels he consolidated under Verve. A pioneer of recording and promoting jazz, Granz was also committed to paying musicians well and to integration of both bands and audiences--avoiding venues that segregated audiences and accommodations with "Jim Crow" conditions.

Among JATP's many stars were Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Stan Getz, Roy Eldridge, Charlie Shavers, Dizzy Gillespie, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Bill Harris, Charlie Parker, Benny Carter, Hank Jones, Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, Louie Bellson, Buddy Rich and Ella Fitzgerald. On October 30, nine jazz artists including Kim Nalley, Wayne Wallace, Andrew Speight, Marcus Shelby, Noel Jewkes, Ambrose Campbell-Akinmusire recreate a night of Jazz at the Philharmonic, and the music it showcased. Sonny Buxton of KCSM fm 91.1, emcees.