Downtown in Tampa in Hillsborough County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Music Legends of Central Avenue

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, May 20, 2026

1. Music Legends of Central Avenue Marker

Inscription.
Of all the enduring stories surrounding the history of Tampa's Central Avenue, the ones most often told are of the musical performances and headline performers who played in the business district's numerous nightclubs. National acts such as Cab Calloway, James Brown. and Ella Fitzgerald included Tampa on their annual trek around the Chitlin Circuit, and all of them played on Central Avenue. In addition, some of the world's most famous musicians got their start in and around Central Avenue, including Hudson Whitaker, aka Tampa Red, Ray Charles, and the Adderley Brothers - Nathaniel Carlyle "Nat" Adderley and Julian "Cannonball Adderley. Many of the clubs, including Joyner's Cotton Club, were named after famous nightspots in New York City's Harlem neighborhood.

Erected 2025 by City of Tampa, Hillsborough County Historical Advisory Council.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Entertainment.

Location. 27° 57.285′ N, 82° 27.362′ W. Marker is in Tampa, Florida, in Hillsborough County. It is in Downtown. It is on North Orange Avenue 0.1 miles south of East Laurel Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1200 N Orange Ave, Tampa FL 33602, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Tampa Bay.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Kid Mason Community Center (within shouting distance of this marker); Greater Bethel Missionary Baptist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Perry Harvey, Sr., Park Skateboard Bowl (within shouting distance of this marker); Central Avenue (within shouting distance of this marker); International Longshoremen’s Association Local #1402 (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Brooke Mass Grave (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tampa Native Americans (about 400 feet away); Confederate States Soldiers and Sailors (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tampa.

Also see . . . Black History Culture. (Submitted on May 29, 2026, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.)

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, May 20, 2026

2. Music Legends of Central Avenue Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 29, 2026, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 29, 2026, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.