I am thrilled to be transitioning into a new role with the Jazz Arts Group – from a nine-year board member to Interim Executive Director.

The vision of Bob Breithaupt, our most recent Executive Director, has raised the organization to a national stature that is unparalleled. This was no more evident than at the recent international convention of the Jazz Education Network in Louisville. The Jazz Arts Group played a major role in virtually every aspect of this annual gathering of jazz educators and musicians:

• The performance of Byron Stripling and the Columbus Jazz Orchestra brought down the house.
• The inspired playing of the Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra demonstrated a model for youth engagement.
• The seminar presentations of how-we-do-it-in-Columbus (both performance and education) were among the focal points for the over 3,000 participants from all over the world.
• With the support of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, the Jazz Arts Group is at the forefront of scientific research about what makes the jazz audience tick. (I know, you don’t often see “jazz” and “science” in the same sentence, and that’s why this is so important.)

Some say that “jazz is dying” or even that it’s dead. I couldn’t disagree more. After spending a few days in Louisville with the elite of the jazz world – and that includes key members of our staff – I can assure you that jazz is very much alive – in New York, Chicago, New Orleans, St. Louis, Monterey, and perhaps most importantly in Columbus! Thanks for being a part of it!

Dan Weiss, CPA, JD
Interim Executive Director
Jazz Arts Group