TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa's legendary Central Avenue was once considered a musical hub. It may be one again in the near future, thanks to development happening with the area's rich jazz music history firmly in mind.

  • Tampa once considered "Harlem of the South"
  • Central Avenue a milestone stop on Chitlin' Circuit
  • Area being redeveloped as Encore! Tempo District
  • More Hillsborough County stories

Tampa-based "The Beat Down Band" has a sound all its own.

"Music is the soundtrack to life," said Markus Vance, the group's lead singer.

"When we're on the stage, it's magic," said Derrick Amos, who plays piano. "We don't make music, we make magic." 

The band performs live regularly at venues like the Jazz House Supper Club on East Adamo Drive in Tampa.

"Since I came out of the womb, music was something that was part of our lives," said Jay Singleton, the band's saxophone player.

But even in the group's current chords, there's an echo of Tampa's past.

Tampa's Jazz-infused past

"We're playing in a city that's deeply rooted in culture," said music director Jack Capheart.

"Tampa was once considered the Harlem of the South," Vance said.

In particular, the legendary Central Avenue was considered a musical hub.

Former Booker T. Washington Junior High School band director Rev. Willie Dixon remembers it well.

"Central was the place to go and be," he said. "That was our Harlem, that was our renaissance, that's where we could come together. We were a community at that time."

Musical greats took note.

Ella Fitzgerald wrote her famous song, "A Tisket, A Tasket" in Tampa, and it's believed Ray Charles recorded his first song in the city.

"I don't know if it was the weather, the atmosphere or the women or whatever but they all loved Tampa," Dixon said.

Decline and resurgence

For years, Central Avenue flourished as a main stop for black performers on the so-called "Chitlin Circuit." Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and James Brown were just a few of the headliners.

It's now become a faded memory marked in concrete. The last business on Central Avenue was the Joyner family's Cotton Club, which closed in 1974.

"It's very sad and unfortunate that it's not around anymore," said Amos.

However, a resurgence is underway.

"I think it's coming back. I think it's making its way back through various artists, various music scenes," said Capheart.

The area is being redeveloped as Encore! Downtown Tampa's Tempo district with housing and commercial space.

Perry Harvey Sr. Park now sits on what used to be Central Avenue. It's full of artwork and sculptures honoring the musical history.

Add to that groups like the Beat Down Band bringing new music to the area, and you have the beginnings of something exciting.

"Given a chance, I think the music scene could definitely grow again here," Amos said.