Music: the Dominant Art Form in Jefferson Park

The neighborhood of Jefferson Park, which is located in Los Angeles, Calif., is comprised of a mere 1.42 square miles. Despite the fact that the small area is primarily made up of low-income families and often gets a bad reputation in more affluent areas, Jefferson Park’s New Orleans influenced music scene is one of its saving graces and is well known across Los Angeles County.

Following an influx in Creole people after World War II, Jefferson Park became known as “Little New Orleans”. Throughout the next few decades, many Creole businesses sprang up all over the area, particularly on Jefferson Boulevard. Harold and Belle’s Restaurant, which was established in 1969, was one such business. Now it is one of the only remaining Creole eateries in the neighborhood.

Matthew Nash, an employee at Harold and Belle’s, explained what the area used to be like. “Jefferson Boulevard used to be called the ‘Creole Corridor’ at one time, said Nash. “There were dozens of Creole; New Orleans expatriates that owned restaurants, bars and retail shops. Now, we are the only bar. It feels weird and sad that in that era, there was so much more unity in the community.”

The Creole presence may not be as unified as it once was, but Harold and Belle’s keeps it alive with its authentic New Orleans style food and jazz music. “We've been really the stronghold of New Orleans food and music in Los Angeles for that entire time [since 1969],” said Nash. “We are kind of a hub for the Creole and New Orleans community. We really address the culture of New Orleans with live jazz music every week and the flavors of course.”

According to the jazz enthusiast website All About Jazz, Creole people living in New Orleans during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries created the genre. The cultural impact of jazz, according to Nash, is inspiring.

“New Orleans is an attitude and you can have the spirit of New Orleans anywhere. It is about a true authentic melting pot of culture. Jazz is an American art form that is part European, part African and, part urban,” said Nash.

Not only does Harold and Belle’s carry on the jazz and Creole culture in Jefferson Park, but Jefferson Park’s Holy Name of Jesus School also teaches children from a young age about the relationship between music and their heritage. According to the school’s website, the students first start by learning to play the piano. As they grow older, they can choose to play instruments varying from drums, brass or woodwinds. Finally, when the students reach fifth grade, they can begin small-group instruction with guitar. Although the ages and instruments vary, all students are able to participate in the church’s Rainbow Choir. Some parents see the requirement of music in the curriculum as a blessing due to the fact that other schools in the area do not put as much emphasis on music.

“If they didn't have a required music program in the curriculum, I would have to find somewhere else that could teach my kids how to play instruments,” said a parent of a first grader, who wished to remain anonymous. “That's why I'm very grateful for this school and the program.” The head of the music department, Otis Burnell, could not be reached to comment on the program.

In addition to giving the neighborhood kids a unique learning experience, the music lessons at Holy Name of Jesus School help shape Jefferson Park’s youth. Music lessons at a young age can be extremely beneficial to future growth, according to piano teacher and manager Marianthe Bezzerides of Piano Teacher Girl. “Music lessons are something that can be very confidence-building for young children,” said Bezzerides. “They teach them about discipline and show them how hard work can pay off, if they practice.”

Bezzerides went on to explain that children who learn how to play piano or other instruments come to feel a sense of accomplishment once they learn how to play a song. In addition, Bezzerides said learning to play an instrument “teaches a certain amount of motor skills that are really beneficial for other things in kids’ lives. In particular, she said piano “encourages an equal distribution of motor skills between both hands.”

Piano Teacher Girl is a business that brings private music lessons to a large portion of L.A., including Jefferson Park. Bezzerides, who is one of 11 teachers, is now taking over as manager and must learn how to juggle the number of teachers and teaching locations. “It’s such a big city, but the bottom line is that people want music lessons for their kids, no matter what part of town,” said Bezzerides. The teachers live in different parts of town so they can cover all of the areas and give lessons in private homes.” For Bezzerides, the most rewarding part of the job is watching the children grow and learn about the importance of music in their communities. “I’m also a composer, and when students show they want to compose, it is rewarding,” she said. “When they do this, they express an interest in creativity.” Whether through children’s lessons or the local Creole businesses, the residents of Jefferson Park have access to a plethora of cultural music. See the photo slideshow below to find out about more music venues in the area.