The West End wasn’t just a neighborhood—it was a mood. A place where the air vibrated with jazz riffs, laughter spilled from dance halls, and immigrants from all over the world called the streets home.
Long before redevelopment reshaped Sacramento’s downtown, the West End pulsed with energy as the city’s premier entertainment district. From the early 1900s through the mid-century, this neighborhood was alive with neon lights, packed dance halls, and smoky jazz clubs where music spilled onto the streets. The West End was a cultural crossroads, drawing African American, Japanese, Chinese, Italian, and other immigrant communities together, united by a love of rhythm and the soulful improvisations of jazz. Legendary performers passed through its clubs, and local musicians found steady work and vibrant audiences. But urban renewal in the 1950s and 60s demolished many of these venues, forever altering the neighborhood’s landscape—and scattering its thriving jazz scene.
Today, Harley White, Jr. stands as one of Sacramento’s most prominent keepers of that musical flame. The son of Harley White, Sr.—an accomplished jazz trombonist and a fixture of Sacramento’s earlier jazz days—Harley Jr. grew up steeped in music. A virtuoso bassist, composer, and bandleader, he leads the Harley White Jr. Orchestra, a group renowned for masterfully blending classic big band swing with modern jazz sensibilities. His repertoire often includes nods to jazz greats like Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Charles Mingus, while also weaving in original compositions that speak to contemporary audiences. Beyond his talent as a performer, White is dedicated to educating the public about jazz’s history and cultural significance, making him an ideal artist to help bring the West End’s storied past back to life through West End Blues.
On July 10, the Sacramento History Museum invites you to relive those golden days with West End Blues, an event blending history and live music.
You’ll hear stories about how jazz legends once played in tucked-away clubs in the West End. This was where folks gathered to forget their troubles, dance till dawn, and celebrate life’s highs and lows.
But the best part? The Harley White Jr. Orchestra will bring those vibes roaring back. Known for their vintage jazz sound and high-energy performances, they’ll make you feel like you’re sipping whiskey in a speakeasy circa 1930.
So come for the history, stay for the swing—and let Sacramento’s past groove its way into your heart.
Harley White Jr. Orchestra
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