West Coast Bebop: The Los Angeles Scene (1945–1955)

1. Central Avenue anchors Los Angeles jazz life

   Jan 1, 1945Labels: Central Avenue, Los Angeles, Nightclubs

   • Central Ave
   • JSt Online

2. Dizzy Gillespie quintet brings bebop to Hollywood

   Dec 10, 1945Labels: Dizzy Gillespie, Billy Berg's, Charlie Parker

   • Billy Berg s

3. Charlie Parker signs with Dial Records in LA

   Feb 26, 1946Labels: Charlie Parker, Dial Records, Ross Russell

   • Dial Records
   • Christie s

4. Dial documents Parker’s key LA studio sessions

   Mar 28, 1946Labels: Dial Records, Charlie Parker, LA studio

   • Dial Records
   • LA Mag

5. Gene Norman launches “Just Jazz” bebop concerts

   Feb 27, 1947Labels: Gene Norman, Just Jazz, Shrine Auditorium

   • JazzDisco
   • JazzDisco

6. Elks Club jam yields “The Chase” tenor battle

   Jul 6, 1947Labels: Elks Club, Dexter Gordon, Wardell Gray

   • JSt Online
   • The Hunt

7. Central Avenue bebop gains national visibility

   Jan 1, 1949Labels: Central Avenue, Dexter Gordon, Wardell Gray

   • West Coast jazz
   • Britannica

8. Contemporary Records opens new recording pathway

   Jan 1, 1951Labels: Contemporary Records, Lester Koenig, Los Angeles

   • Contemporary

9. Pacific Jazz Records forms around LA club networks

   Jan 1, 1952Labels: Pacific Jazz, Richard Bock, Roy Harte

   • Pacific Jazz

10. Lighthouse performances become documentary-style recordings

    May 15, 1953Labels: Lighthouse, Hermosa Beach, live recordings

    • Jazz Research

11. Los Angeles modern jazz diversifies beyond jam battles

    Jan 1, 1954Labels: Los Angeles, Bebop lineage, West Coast

    • Britannica
    • West Coast jazz

12. Central Avenue’s era as the main hub fades

    Jan 1, 1955Labels: Central Avenue, Los Angeles, scene decline

    • Central Ave
    • West Coast jazz