jazz on the blvd: a neighborhood retrospective @ palm grove social
Walkthrough of the Jazz on the Blvd opening. March 8th, 2026 (Sped Up)
Jazz on the Blvd: A Neighborhood Retrospective was an archival exhibit celebrating the history of jazz on Washington Blvd. The exhibit was up at Palm Grove Social in Mid-City and curated by me. Thank you to all of those who were able to come to the opening and the exhibit in the days after. If you weren’t able to, that’s okay, keep scrolling, and you can see what was featured.
A special thank you to:
Apollo of Palm Grove Social, who inspired this idea, the Palm Grove Social team, Washington Rucker, Jerold Kress, Khrysta Robinson, Sean Ford, and Marie Lerma
the parisian room
4960 W. Washington Blvd, Los Angles, CA 90016
Owned by Ernie France
Operated during the late 50s-mid 80s
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![From: The Neighborhood News Online Article: "Maxie Floyd and All That Jazz" by Deborah Charles Published: July 2, 2012]()
From: The Neighborhood News Online Article: "Maxie Floyd and All That Jazz" by Deborah Charles Published: July 2, 2012
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![PEOPLE - PLACES 'N' SITUWAYSHUNS Historical Newspaper Article From: Los Angeles Sentinel Author: Bill Lane]()
PEOPLE - PLACES 'N' SITUWAYSHUNS Historical Newspaper Article From: Los Angeles Sentinel Author: Bill Lane
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![Ad for Joe Williams Performance at the Parisian Room Historical Published Photograph]()
Ad for Joe Williams Performance at the Parisian Room Historical Published Photograph
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![Ad for Abbey Lincoln Performance at the Parisian Room Historical Published Photograph]()
Ad for Abbey Lincoln Performance at the Parisian Room Historical Published Photograph
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![Overheard Column Comment at The Parisian Room From the Los Angeles Sentinel Historical Published Photograph]()
Overheard Column Comment at The Parisian Room From the Los Angeles Sentinel Historical Published Photograph
Tommy Tucker’s playroom
4907 W. Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016
Owned by Tommy Tucker
Operated during the late 50s-early 80s
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![From: The Neighborhood News Online Article: "Maxie Floyd and All That Jazz" by Deborah Charles Published: July 2, 2012]()
From: The Neighborhood News Online Article: "Maxie Floyd and All That Jazz" by Deborah Charles Published: July 2, 2012
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![Los Angeles Sentinel Newspaper Thursday, June 12th, 1975 Highligted to emphasize ad for Tommy Tucker’s Playroom]()
Los Angeles Sentinel Newspaper Thursday, June 12th, 1975 Highligted to emphasize ad for Tommy Tucker’s Playroom
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![Vintage Glass Ashtray from Tommy Tucker’s Playroom This ashtray shows the jazz club's location: 4907 W. Washington Blvd. (near La Brea) Los Angeles, California]()
Vintage Glass Ashtray from Tommy Tucker’s Playroom This ashtray shows the jazz club's location: 4907 W. Washington Blvd. (near La Brea) Los Angeles, California
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![Screengrab from Jerold Kress’ Interview with Tommy Tucker]()
Screengrab from Jerold Kress’ Interview with Tommy Tucker
The It Club
4731 W. Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016
Owned by John T. McClain
Operated during the 60s-70s
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![Author: Bob Belden Source: Album liner notes from Gene Harris and The Three Sounds Live at the ‘It Club’]()
Author: Bob Belden Source: Album liner notes from Gene Harris and The Three Sounds Live at the ‘It Club’
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![Roland Kirk One-Man Band Opens It Club From: Los Angeles Sentinel Date: November 22, 1962 Page: A12]()
Roland Kirk One-Man Band Opens It Club From: Los Angeles Sentinel Date: November 22, 1962 Page: A12
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![Miles Davis to Play at The It Club From: Los Angeles Sentinel Published: October 3, 1963 Page: A17]()
Miles Davis to Play at The It Club From: Los Angeles Sentinel Published: October 3, 1963 Page: A17
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![Source: Los Angeles Sentinel newspaper Article: "It Club Plans Big-Name Policy For '64" Date: January 23, 1964 Page: A18 Archival database: ProQuest Historical Newspapers: Los Angeles Sentinel]()
Source: Los Angeles Sentinel newspaper Article: "It Club Plans Big-Name Policy For '64" Date: January 23, 1964 Page: A18 Archival database: ProQuest Historical Newspapers: Los Angeles Sentinel
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![Artist: Gene Harris and The Three Sounds Album: Live at the ‘It Club’ (1970) Record Label: Blue Note Records Format: Vinyl LP]()
Artist: Gene Harris and The Three Sounds Album: Live at the ‘It Club’ (1970) Record Label: Blue Note Records Format: Vinyl LP | Artist: Thelonious Monk Album: Live at the It Club (1964) Record label: Columbia Records Format: Vinyl LP
