World Stage Big Band
The World Stage4317 - 4331 Degnan Boulevard, Los Angeles 90008
Coordinated by Billy McCoy, the World Stage Big Band meets as a workshop and rehearsal band, tracing the decades of jazz development through large-ensemble playing.
Founded in 2022 under the leadership of Danny Cortez and Amos Delone, the Los Angeles ensemble represents traditional big-band jazz. Its festival profile includes saxophone, trumpet, trombone and rhythm-section players, along with vocalists Almita Delone and Dwight Trible, and notes appearances at the Leimert Jazz Festival, Watts Towers Festival and Leimert Park Juneteenth celebrations.
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.