Jazz is grown amongst America’s cotton fields, and derives its call and response technique from the rhythmic cadence of Baptist ministers’ lyrical sermons. Its roots, embedded in Africa, contributed to its emergence as a definitive cultural vernacular. The legendary pianist and composer Dr. Billy Taylor famously referred to jazz as “America’s classical music.” Jazz has been the voice of Black identity and an artistic visual language — a catalyst for social change in America and around the world. As the iconic Sonny Rollins declared, “Jazz is the root of all music.”
On a recent visit to West Palm Beach (WPB), Florida, my hometown, I was pleasantly surprised to see the city’s major music venue, the Kravis Center, featuring an exhibit titled “Jazz in Unexpected Places” curated by Tracy Hyter-Suffern, the former director of the National Jazz Museum in Harlem.
“Jazz in Unexpected Places” is a swinging celebration, an improvised romp into the spirited moments of jazz as it shaped WPB County’s style, sound, and community participation. Get lost in rare vintage photos by Roberto Polillo that render stories of iconic jazz musicians of the ‘60s and ‘70s who paved the way for today’s artists. The contemporary images by Anthony Bethel transform visitors into the era of yesternow.
An emotional rush may grab visitors watching the looping video interviews of prominent WPB residents offering their oral history as witnesses, and in some instances pioneering contributors, to the county’s cultural history before its tumultuous civil rights era that impacted the lives of community residents. Their compelling stories convey a thriving segregated Black community (like most USA municipalities) — self-sufficient with a hospital, schools, attorneys, civic organizations, and independent businesses where 90% of dollars earned stayed in the community.
Ironically, the golden thread that brought the community together other than church was the Sunset Lounge, located in WPB’s historic Northwest neighborhood — originally built in 1926 and later inherited by Dennis and Thelma Starks in 1947. For the next two decades, it was a social mecca for community locals and patrons from Miami to New York City (my parents frequented the club during their visits).
The likes of Count Basie, Ray Charles, Ike & Tina Turner, James Brown, and Cab Calloway packed the place with at least 1,000 guests dressed in their best. It was a shining jewel on the magical Chitlin’ Circuit at its peak in the midst of the Great Migration, lynchings, and Jim Crow. More than a nightclub, it was a source of Black pride, artistic expression, and community cohesion.
“I grew up wanting to play the Sunset, and when I finally did, I thought I had made it; it was like playing the Apollo Theater in Harlem,” said WPB native singer/songwriter Jimmy “Bo” Horne. “The Sunset made stars like George McCrae [also from WPB];” both graduated from Roosevelt High School. Horne, who enjoyed a few Billboard Top 20 hits, said, “The community nurtured us; they gave us confidence and inspiration.” After seeing the famous Temptations perform at his school, he knew singing would be his life. “God blessed me; music is the international language of the soul, ” said Horne. “The Sunset is a black historical landmark that continues to contribute to American music just as the elders and community continue to nurture our young people.”
“Jazz in Unexpected Places” connects the dots of community involvement, activism, and spirituality. Jazz is more than a genre; it’s a family of growing brothers and sisters: gospel, blues, R&B, hip hop, spoken word, classical, Black rock, soul with powers of healing and inspiration.
During my interview with the celebrated Broadway cabaret singer and television performer Avery Sommers, she pointed out that it wasn’t jazz that influenced her at an early age in WPB; it was the sound of gospel music and some familiarity with big bands. Her early singing in the Baptist church sparked her desire to sing. It was in Los Angeles and New York City where she rose to fame. She has since moved back home, where she conducts classes in the art of creating and performing cabaret at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre. Earlier in 2026, she performed at the Sunset Lounge, noting, “for me to go there as a performer was an exquisite joy to be on a stage where so many greats had performed.” Her sister Bhetty Waldron, who also found fame as an actress in Los Angeles, returned home and started the Quest Theater Company (1990-96).
There is a hidden jazz element in cabaret performances that blends dramatic storytelling with spirited improvisations. Sommers said she became more interested in jazz after listening to the legendary Canadian pianist Oscar Peterson, but having seen Sommers perform, I can honestly say her trio swings with some jazzy rhythms, demonstrating the unexpected jazz nuances that only exist in cabaret!
Jazz is hip and smooth in the groove. Jazz shouts fashion as noted in the exhibit; all photos illustrate black folks dressed in their finest, and in West Palm no one did it better than those twins Johnnie Lee and Mami (married respectively to J.T. Jones and Ernest Wright). Kravis board member Cheryl Jones, the daughter of Johnnie, reflected during our interview on her parents always coming home late from the Sunset, still dancing and laughing. The twins were fashionistas before the term existed; they always dressed to impress and made their own stunning outfits, a skill learned from their mother. Fashion like jazz is self-expression — today, Cheryl follows family tradition, dressing to impress whether at work or the mall, and presenting community fashion shows.
Jazz is forever evolving from Charlie Parker, to Sonny Rollins, to Jeff “Tain” Watts and Wallace Roney Jr. Each generation is challenged to move the music forward with conviction and invention. Mathew Harper, a recent graduate of Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts (WPB), is now studying at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music. Playing trumpet since grade six, he stated, “West Palm Beach has a rich history in Black American music, and my parents played a role in that. The Sunset inspires me that there will be a greater jazz presence in WPB — I am motivated and determined to do my part to carry on the tradition.”
“My parents sent me to WPB every summer to stay with my grandparents and hang out with all my cousins. Loved it. They all laughed at my accent, but to me their southern accent was rather odd. After many years, I still attend Mount Gilead Mission Baptist Church when in town. I felt at home in that community; everyone was so friendly and caring. I was friends with Mr. Flewellyn, owner of Flewellyn’s Pharmacy (he fondly called me “New York”), Carl Robinson, owner of Robinson’s Supermarket, and my uncle Robert Scott, who owned the little cafe across the street where all us kids played the pinball machine, if we weren’t at the swimming pool. Sometimes we stopped by Blue Front Barbecue (the best barbecue ever). On Saturday night after attending the segregated movie (Grand Theater), we walked past the Sunset Lounge to watch all the dressed-up people and crossed our fingers to see James Brown, but we never did –– just loads of parked cars.”
“Jazz in Unexpected Places: Untold Stories of Palm Beach County” brings jazz alive: its defiance, hip style, uncompromising sound, resilience, a community united. The exhibit is interactive and child-friendly — after all, one is never too young for jazz.
The heart and soul of West Palm Beach ignited by a music that captivated the world- see, hear, and listen at the Kravis Center. Exhibit hours Monday-Friday, 1-5 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, visit Kravis.org.
