The Fillmore District has a long history being home to different minority groups at different points in history. The two who have left the biggest impact however, are The Japanese and African American Communities. The Fillmore painting pays subtle tribute in its style, and overt tribute in its content to these two communities. The inspiration for the style was that of both a Japanese wood block and a Jazz poster.

 

Fillmore, known for decades as The Harlem of the West, was a bustling center for music, food and nightlife. It was home to numerous nationally acclaimed Jazz clubs and Black owned businesses. Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Chet Baker, Dexter Gordon, Etta James, Leola King, and T-Bone Walker are just a few who performed and frequented the lively area. While much of the neighborhood has been since gentrified, and its legacy Black owned businesses like the Blue Mirror, Bop City, and Jack's Tavern are no longer, The Fillmore Auditorium still stands as does the annual Fillmore Jazz Festival. While diminished in size, The Fillmore remains an important area for organizations and institutions in the Black Community of San Francisco.