Combining black-ties, world-class performances with elegant dining on November 9, the JEXA’s largest fundraiser honoring four local heroes of Los Angeles’s thriving jazz scene got underway with a pre-show cocktail reception and silent auction, magic at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.
Ballroom Doors opened at 6 PM, which included an elegant dinner and awards ceremony in Crystal Ballroom.
The Crystal Ballroom at the Biltmore Hotel – photos courtesy DT Weekly
The JEXA Awards Gala, hosted by Keri Kelsey and comedian Chris Spencer, is a benefit for JEXA’s music education programs to advance the art form of jazz in the Southern California area and beyond, led by Executive Director Jerome Pittman.
Ms. Linda Sam founder of JazzZoneJazzabration.org – photos DT Weekly
Honoree Linda Sam, founder of JazzZoneJazzabration.org, a nonprofit organization whose mission has been preserving the legacies of Jazz and Blues Legends since 2010, used her acceptance speech, beginning with, “It feels great to be recognized, and my soul feels realized,” followed by a heartfelt thank you to the many musicians she had the honor of working with along the way, as well as fellow Jazz ensemble booker and co-founder Roscoe Lee Owens, who had long founded JazzZone, Inc., in tribute to his late father, legendary jazz drummer Jimmy Owens. The two produce numerous jazz events throughout Los Angeles and host a weekly jazz show in the Barbara Morrison Theater in Leimert Park.
Jazz vocalist Carolyn Martinez – Jexa Gala 2024 – photo courtesy DT Weekly
Legendary bassist Michael Saucier, premiere jazz vocalist Dwight Trible, and the iconic keyboard/arranger David Moscoe were among other honorees, including a climatic performance by Grammy award-winners Patti Austin and Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, which headlined the night’s event. www.jexaawards.org
