South Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Apex
⎯⎯⎯
Club Alabam
Historic Central Avenue Jazz Corridor
| | 42nd St. and Central Av. | |
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, December 10, 2011
1. Apex / Club Alabam Marker
Curtis Mosby, the conductor of the Dixieland Blue Blowers, opened the Apex on Thanksgiving 1928. The classy nightclub was home to revues featuring beautiful showgirls in extravagant costumes. Johnny Otis led the house band, but Alabam was the most popular stage for known jazz musicians who were on Central Avenue.
Erected by City of Los Angeles.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.
Location. 34° 0.406′ N, 118° 15.395′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in South Los Angeles. It is at the intersection of South Central Avenue and East 42nd Place, on the right when traveling south on South Central Avenue. Marker is on the sidewalk near the former Dunbar Hotel Building. It is across the street from the Central Avenue Jazz Park, and its closer to the corner of East 42nd Place than it is to 42nd Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Los Angeles CA 90011, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally,
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Dunbar Hotel (a few steps from this marker); Golden State Mutual (within shouting distance of this marker); The Downbeat Club (within shouting distance of this marker); Central Avenue Historic District (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Los Angeles Sentinel (about 600 feet away); Black Panthers in L.A. (about 800 feet away); California Eagle (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dolphins of Hollywood (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.
Also see . . .
1. Central Avenue Park and Dunbar Hotel [Photo] Set. (Submitted on January 1, 2012, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
2. Club Alabam. Queer Maps website entry (Submitted on March 24, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, December 10, 2011
2. The Somerville/Dunbar Hotel
The Apex/Club Alabam was located in the building to the north of the hotel - at the right corner of photo.
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, December 10, 2011
3. City Plaque - See Nearby Marker
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, December 10, 2011
4. Afro-American Citizens Achievement Mural
42nd Place at Central Avenue.
courtesy Wikipedia, 2008
5. The Club Alabam
Next to the Somerville [Dunbar] Hotel, in 2008.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 31, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,312 times since then and 117 times this year. Last updated on January 27, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 31, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 3, 4. submitted on January 1, 2012, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 5. submitted on January 25, 2012. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
