Central Role

In “L.A.’s Lost Street of Dreams” (Aug. 29), Kamau Daaood makes some very keen observations about Los Angeles’ often overlooked role in the development of jazz.

From the 1930s through the 1950s, when important local artists like Gerald Wilson, Big Jay McNeely and Gerald Wiggins were making real contributions to the golden age of jazz, the nation’s, and the world’s, attention was focused across town on the golden age of Hollywood. Partially, as a result, the great accomplishments on Central Avenue have all but been forgotten. Even most jazz fans in L.A. aren’t aware of the historic importance their city played in jazz.

The release of Rhino Records’ “Central Avenue Sounds: Jazz in Los Angeles (1921-1956)” is, in a sense, a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s fantastic to finally have such a comprehensive collection available. However, it’s a shame that it takes a boxed set to bring to light Los Angeles’ vital role in jazz history. If it weren’t for the efforts of Rhino, as well as jazz station KLON-FM, which has long championed the historic significance of L.A. jazz, all of what happened on Central Avenue might fade from memory forever. And that would be a far greater crime than referring to Kenny G as a jazz musician.

JOHN McELLIGOTT JR.

Fullerton