About JEXA Awards, Inc. 

JEXA Awards, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to promote the legacy of jazz music and nurture the next generation of young jazz musicians and singers (children in middle school, high school, and recent graduates from music school programs and colleges.)

About the Gala

The 2024 JEXA Awards Gala combines a black-tie evening of world-class performances and elegant dining with the honoring of four local heroes of Los Angeles’s thriving jazz scene.

The November 9, 2024 Gala at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles is JEXA’s largest fundraiser of the year. It gets underway with a Pre-Show, Cocktail Reception and Silent Auction at 5PM. Ballroom Doors open at 6PM and the GALA begins at 6:30PM, which includes an elegant dinner and awards ceremony. Next up is the evening's centerpiece event: a concert on the main stage in the Crystal Ballroom, featuring our two distinguished honorees: GRAMMY award-winning Patti Austin, and the GRAMMY award-winning Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band.

The JEXA AWARDS Gala is a benefit for JEXA’s music education programs to advance the art form of jazz in the Southern California area and beyond.

**Dinner and show are included with your ticket purchase. Cash bar.

** Dress code is black tie.

** Seating at the event will be assigned.  If you wish to be seated with individuals who are buying tickets separately (in the same ticket tier), there is a field on the checkout form to list their names. Email us at info@jexaawards.org if you have any questions about seating arrangements.

Enter your order details and meal choice during checkout. You will be presented with several payment choices (including PayPal, Klarna or Credit Card) on the last page of the checkout order form.** 

Parking

Our reduced rate for hotel parking: Valet is $35. Self is $25. Tell the attendant you are here for the JEXA Awards Gala. The parking lot across the street from the hotel (Pershing Square) is $9 after 5pm.

Evening's Menu

Salad:
Pear and Spinach Salad
Grilled Pears, Goat Cheese, Candied Walnuts,
Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette

Plated Dinner Options (Each attendee must choose their main course):

Protein 1:
Truffled Chicken Pot Pie
Mary’s Organic Chicken, Truffle Peelings,
Seasonal Root Vegetables, Potato,
Baby Peas, Velouté, Puff Pastry Crust

Protein 2:
Herb Crusted Atlantic Salmon
Basil tossed Couscous, Candied Red Cabbage,
King Mushroom, Chive Butter

Vegetarian:
Cauliflower Steak v, vg, gf
Pea Puree, Candied Red Cabbage Slaw, Seasonal Mushrooms &
Vegetables, Yogurt Sauce

Desert:
Crème Brulee Cheese Cake
Burnt Caramel, Graham Crusts, Torched Sugar

--------------

Questions? Email us at info@jexaawards.org

Refund Policy: This is a charity event and ticket purchases are non-refundable.

This event is presented by JEXA Awards Inc., a 501c3 nonprofit. Your gift is tax-deductible. 

Event Location: The Biltmore Hotel, 506 South Grand Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90072

About Patti Austin

Patti Austin was born to be music royalty with Dinah Washington and Quincy Jones as her godmother and godfather. From her start as a four-year-old prodigy on Harlem’s Apollo Theatre Stage, through her years as an elite backing vocalist, to her blossoming into one of America’s great hitmakers, Patti Austin has become one of the legendary vocalists of our time.

Winner of a 2008 GRAMMY for Jazz Vocal Album, she is a seven-time GRAMMY-nominated artist whose career has spanned decades. With a full 20 albums to her credit, Ms. Austin has collaborated with a staggering list of modern masters, including Quincy Jones, James Brown, James Ingram, Joe Cocker, Diana Ross, Roberta Flack, Donald Fagen, Burt Bacharach, Dave Grusin and many others. Join us in honoring her immense contribution to American music.

About Gordon Goodwin

Gordon Goodwin aspired to lead a big band from a time before he can even remember. His position at the forefront of the18-piece Big Phat Band, one of the most innovative and versatile collectives of the past thirty years, speaks reams about his seemingly limitless talents as an instrumentalist, composer, arranger, conductor and bandleader. Having amassed 21 Grammy nominations, four statues and three Emmy wins, Gordon Goodwin is the most decorated big band leader in the 21st century. Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band is an internationally known ensemble with a reputation as one of the most exciting large ensembles in jazz.

Goodwin composes most, and arranges all, of the group's performance pieces, as well as playing piano and occasionally tenor saxophone. Formed in 2000, the group comprises many of Los Angeles' most acclaimed jazz musicians, and has to date released three albums under Silverline Records. The Big Phat Band is currently celebrating their 25th anniversary - 25 YEARS OF PHATNESS.