notable alum
it's so hard to be a demo
From Congressmen to musicians, athletes, and actors, Thomas Jefferson High School has a surplus of notable alumni. We know it’s impossible to capture all worthy stories in one place, but here are some of the many contributions made by Thomas Jefferson High School’s game changing alums.
Woody Strode, Actor and Football player
Acted in films including The Ten Commandments, Spartacus, and Posse
Juanita Moore, Actress
The 4th African American nominated for an Oscar. Participated in over 50 movies; best known for her role as the mother in the movie “Imitation of Life”[12]
Matthew Beard, American Actor
Actor (Our Gang Little Rascals Series)
Iwao Takamoto, Animator and Character Designer
The Walt Disney Company and Hanna-Barbera Productions
John Meehan, Art Director and Production Designer
Alvin Ailey, Choreographer and Activist
Founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City.
Carmen De Lavallade, Dancer and Actor
Ralph Bunche, Educator
UN mediator on Palestine and Nobel Peace Prize Winner
Thelton Henderson, Federal Judge, Northern District of California.
Willard H. Murray, Jr., California State Assembly Member 1988–1996 (District 52);
California Institute for the Preservation of Jazz. Current director of the Water Replenishment District 1. Father of Former State Senator Kevin Murray ref: Testimony of Buddy Collette & Marl Young
Augustus F. Hawkins, U.S. House of Representatives from California’s 21st and 29th district from 1963–1991; California Assembly from 1935–1963
David W. Williams, US District Court Judge, Central District of California
First African American Federal Judge from states west of the Mississippi.
William R. Clay, California Superior Court Judge, October 1976
Appointed by Governor Jerry Brown
Earl C. Gay (1902–75), Los Angeles City Council member, 1933–45
Mablean Ephriam, Prosecuting Attorney
Television series Divorce Court and currently, Justice with Judge Mablean
Stanley Crouch, Syndicated Columnist and Novelist
Best known for his jazz criticism and his 2004 novel, “Don’t the Moon Look Lonesome?”
Roy Ayers, Jazz Composer and Vibraphone player
Arranged Musical Score for 1973 movie “Coffy” and classic albums “Running Away 1976” and “Mystic Voyage 1975”.
Richard Berry, Singer/Songwriter,
Original performer of the rock standard “Louie Louie”
Rickey Minor, Emmy-nominated Music Director, Composer, and Music Producer
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, American Idol and Don’t Forget The Lyrics!
Barry White, Record Producer, Singer/Songwriter
Five-time Grammy Award winner. White attended Jefferson for sophomore and junior year.
Horace Tapscott, Jazz Piano Player and Composer
Subject of UCLA Jazz Archive called the Horace Tapscott Collection. Creator of “The Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra (P.A.P.A.)”.
Jesse Belvin, Singer/Songwriter
Co-Wrote “Goodnight My Love” used to end Alan Freed Show; co-credited as one of writers of “Earth Angel” made popular by The Penguins.
Johnny “Guitar” Watson, Blues and Funk Singer/Songwriter and guitarist
Young Jessie, R&B and jazz Singer/Songwriter
Dexter Gordon, Jazz Saxophone player
Known for his music and supporting role in the movie Round Midnight
Sonny Criss, Jazz Saxophone player
Transferred from Jordan High School to Jefferson High School
Addison Farmer, Jazz Bassist
Frank Morgan, Jazz Saxophone Player
Chico Hamilton, Jazz Drummer
Lee Young, Jazz Drummer
Jack McVea, Jazz and Dixieland Saxophone Player
Art Farmer, Jazz Trumpet Player
Bill Douglass, Jazz Drummer
Ernie Royal, Jazz Trumpet Player
Marshal Royal, Jazz Saxophone Player
Lammar Wright, Jr., Jazz Trumpet Player
Vi Redd, Jazz Saxophone Player
Jackie Kelson, Jazz Saxophone Player
Ginger Smock, Concert and Jazz Violinist
Don Cherry, Jazz Trumpet Player
Melba Liston, Jazz Trombone Player
Attended Jefferson, but later transferred to Polytechnic High School
Ed Thigpen, Jazz Drummer
Big Jay McNeely, Jazz Saxophone Player
Transferred from Jordan High School to Jefferson High School
Curtis Williams and Bruce Tate
Members of doo-wop group The Penguins
Gaynel Hodge, Alex Hodge, and Cornell Gunter
Members of musical group The Platters
Ray Brewster
Member of the groups The Hollywood Flames, The Cadillacs, The Penguins and The Platters
Johnnie Martin
Member of the gospel group Mighty Clouds of Joy
Etta James, Blues Singer
Famous for hit song “At Last”
Ernie Andrews, Jazz and Blues Singer
Merry Clayton
Solo musician and backup singer for many artists, including Mick Jagger
O.C. Smith
Jazz singer and minister who performed with Count Basie Orchestra; he recorded the first version of the song “That Life” made famous by Frank Sinatra. He had numerous hit songs in his long career.
Mel Walker
Lead singer with the Johnny Otis Orchestra
Cornell Gunter
R&B singer and member of The Platters and The Coasters. Transferred to Manual Arts his senior year.
Jennell Hawkins, R&B and Jazz Singer
Ivie Anderson, Jazz Singer
Performed with Duke Ellington’s orchestra between 1931 and 1942
Richard Berry, Singer/Songwriter, and Musician
Most famous for writing Louie Louie, Berry performed with numerous Los Angeles doo-wop groups including The Flairs.
Floyd Dixon
Emmett Ashford
First African-American umpire in major league baseball
Andy Bakjian, National Track and Field Hall of Fame official
Bakjian was a longtime coach at Jefferson High School.
Don Bishop, Football player
Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Chicago Bears
Milt Davis, Football player
Baltimore Colts from 1957 to 1961, including winning the 1958 NFL Championship game
Charles Dumas, Olympic High Jumper
The first person to clear seven feet. Attended Jefferson in his sophomore and Junior years; transferred to Centennial High School in Compton.
Joe Kelly, Football player
Cincinnati Bengals
Edgar Lacey, UCLA Basketball player
Lee Maye, Major League Baseball player
Glenn McDonald, Basketball player
Boston Celtics
Bill McGill, NBA Basketball player
Bernard Quarles, NFL and CFL Football player
Woody Strode, NFL and CFL Football player and decathlete
He later went on to become an actor
Mal Whitfield, middle-distance Track Runner
Olympic gold medalist
