Charles R. Drew University Hosts Annual Jazz Festival
The Jazz at Drew festival returns to South Los Angeles to support student scholarships and academic programs.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Cultural
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Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science recently held its annual Jazz at Drew festival. The event serves as a fundraiser to provide financial support for student scholarships and benevolence.
Why it matters
The festival honors the university mission of training diverse health professional leaders while addressing the immediate financial needs of its student body. It bridges the gap between community engagement and institutional fundraising.
Founded by Roland Betts in 1991, the festival continues a legacy built by the university established 60 years ago. The institution currently maintains 1,100 students across 20 distinct academic programs.
The players
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
This private, non-profit university is a historically Black graduate institution that specializes in medical and health science education.
Roland Betts
He is a prominent producer and investor who founded the Jazz at Drew festival to support the university mission.
The Original Lakeside
This American funk band is well-known for their R&B hits throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
Avery*Sunshine
She is an American singer and pianist recognized for her work in the soul, gospel, and R&B music genres.
The details
The event utilized live musical performances from artists including The Original Lakeside and Avery*Sunshine to draw crowds to South Los Angeles. Proceeds from the festival are directed toward student basic needs support and scholarships.
Timeline
The university was founded in 1966.
The Jazz at Drew festival was established in 1991.
The 2026 Jazz at Drew festival took place on October 10, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The institution serves as a critical model for community-based medical education that emerged directly following the 1965 Watts uprising. This event reflects a broader trend of universities leveraging cultural programming to secure community funding.
Attendees and supporters can contribute to the university scholarship fund by participating in the annual festival activities. The event provides direct access to live performances while facilitating financial aid for students enrolled in the university's 20 academic programs.
The takeaway
The Jazz at Drew festival demonstrates how long-running cultural traditions can provide consistent financial support for specialized academic institutions. Attendees support future health professionals by engaging with the university's history and mission through music.
Further reading
Learn more about local events at the Los Angeles Cultural section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Los Angeles Sentinel.
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