The first Cavalcade of Jazz was held on September 23, 1945, and starred Count Basie, The Honey Drippers, Valaida Snow, Joe Turner, The Peters Sisters, Slim and Bam and other artists.
"[2] A wide range of musicians were involved, including Lionel Hampton (on multiple occasions), Louis Jordan, and Josephine Baker.
[2] The Cavalcade of Jazz events were the stepping stone to success for such stars as Toni Harper, Dinah Washington, Roy Milton, Frankie Laine and others.
[2] Hefflin's last concert was held at the Shrine Auditorium on August 3, 1958, as part of the Central Avenue Jazz Scene.
Between 1945 and 1958, the Cavalcade of Jazz showcased more than 125 artists,[4] including Sam Cooke, Bo Rhambo and Band, Ray Charles, The Cookies, Ernie Freeman and his Band, Little Willie John, The Clark Kids and Sammy Davis Jr.[5] This jazz festival article is a stub.