ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This book would not have been possible without the assistance of the jazz community in Los Angeles. Brick Wahl, James Janisse, Ken Poston, Joon Lee, Steven Isoardi, Ted Gioia, Armand Lewis, and Chris Barton have been instrumental in supporting the completion of this project. Nate Carter at the Dunbar Hotel opened up the newly renovated facility to me and pointed me in the direction of the spectacular roof view. Southern California libraries, including the Los Angeles Public Library, the USC Library, UCLA, and California State Northridge, are invaluable for their access to great snapshots from history. Check out their collections. My wife, Christina, has shown patience and support I could only dream of while we drove up and down Central Avenue looking for swinging ghosts (while my newborn daughter has served as a terrific editor between feedings, changings, and fits of tears). Most importantly, my parents, Fern and Dave, have always nurtured my interests in music and were always willing to take their teenage son to South Central to soak up a little culture.

Unless otherwise noted, all images are from the author’s collection.