World Stage Big Band
The World Stage4317 - 4331 Degnan Boulevard, Los Angeles 90008
The World Stage Big Band takes up its role as a rehearsal band for a workshop coordinated by Billy McCoy. The session follows jazz development across the decades of the past century, using the large-ensemble format to explore the music’s changing language and repertoire. It is part of The World Stage’s ongoing commitment to jazz and African American cultural expression in Leimert Park.
Presented as a World Stage ensemble from Leimert Park, the band works in the tradition of big-band jazz, with a lineup described elsewhere as saxophones, trumpets, trombones, rhythm-section instruments and vocals. Its stated aim is to keep “the legendary spirit and deep heritage of Central Avenue alive.” The group has appeared at the Leimert Jazz Festival, Watts Towers Festival, Juneteenth festivals in Leimert Park and at The World Stage. Festival material has named vocalists Almita Delone and Dwight Trible among the ensemble, and a 2026 Catalina Jazz Club program paired the band with both singers for a tribute to Barbara Morrison, Billy Higgins and Buddy Collette.
The World Stage offers a unique experience as a dedicated space for jazz and African American cultural expression in Leimert Park. Founded by jazz drummer Billy Higgins and poet Kamau Daáood, it serves as both a performance venue and an educational hub, where you can catch live jazz concerts featuring both established and emerging artists. The room is a modest gallery-style space that encourages attentive listening, with a focus on the music rather than distractions like alcohol, which is not served here. Shows often include workshops and open jam sessions, fostering a community spirit rooted in artistic growth and cultural heritage. Expect a night where the music takes center focus, surrounded by walls that echo decades of creative history and community dedication.