Jazz Arts Group of Columbus https://www.jazzartsgroup.org Mon, 21 Aug 2023 16:37:56 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.jazzartsgroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/cropped-icon-32x32.jpg Jazz Arts Group of Columbus https://www.jazzartsgroup.org 32 32 Katy Coy Announced as JAG’s New CEO https://www.jazzartsgroup.org/ceo-announcement-coy/ Mon, 21 Aug 2023 16:09:53 +0000 https://www.jazzartsgroup.org/?p=38376

August 2023 | Columbus, OH

The Board of Directors of the Jazz Arts Group of Columbus is pleased to announce the selection of Katy Coy as its new CEO. A committed leader with deep experience in arts administration, Coy is perfectly positioned to champion Jazz Arts Group’s mission to advance and celebrate the art of jazz through performance and education.

“We are delighted to welcome Katy Coy as CEO of Jazz Arts Group,” said Gil Gradisar, Board of Directors Chair. “She is an innovative and proven leader whose depth of experience and vision will lead our organization into its next 50 years of the celebration of America’s original music.”

Coy joins Jazz Arts Group after serving as the Executive Director at Valley Symphony Orchestra in McAllen, Texas. During her five-year tenure, she oversaw a period of administrative growth and community expansion, driven by the Orchestra’s move to the McAllen Performing Arts Center, a state-of-the-art 1,775-seat performance hall that opened in 2018. In the immediate response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Coy designed a televised and streamed concert series that mitigated the loss of charitable revenue and preserved playing opportunities for the Orchestra’s core musicians.

Prior to joining the Valley Symphony Orchestra, Coy served as Executive Director of the Association of Arts Administration Educators and worked in leadership and strategy roles at both the University of Chicago and the State of Ohio, eTech Ohio Commission, as well as The Columbus Symphony Orchestra. Coy is a graduate of Western Michigan University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Arts Administration, and of DePaul University, where she earned a Master of Fine Arts in Arts Leadership.

Coy brings to the role nearly two decades of arts administration experience, a fluency in connecting institutions with new audiences to grow revenue and increase impact, and a deep appreciation for the uniquely American art form of jazz.

“Jazz Arts Group’s 50-year-strong commitment to artistic excellence and lifelong learning is an inspiration and I am grateful to be joining as the next 50 years commence,” commented Coy. “I am honored and excited to partner with Byron Stripling in his role as Artistic Director, to work with the outstanding JAG staff and board, and am eager for my family and I to return to Columbus, which is home.”

As the organization’s chief executive, Coy will oversee Jazz Arts Group’s operations and play a critical role in steering its strategic direction; she will be vital to fundraising, advocacy, community collaboration, educational and performance program management, and stakeholder relations. Under Coy’s guidance, the organization will grow to touch the lives of more students and delight audiences for decades to come.

Coy succeeds Press Southworth, who has served in the role since 2012. Southworth is looking ahead to his retirement and will remain an active supporter of Jazz Arts Group. Coy will assume the CEO role on September 11, 2023.

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Gladden House Experience https://www.jazzartsgroup.org/gladden-house-experience/ Mon, 14 Aug 2023 15:57:57 +0000 https://www.jazzartsgroup.org/?p=38333

August 2023 | Jasmine Spitzer, Jazz Academy Teaching Artist

I was thrilled to be asked by The Jazz Academy to write a blog post about the Gladden Community House summer camp residency I did in July! I love nothing more than sharing experiences like this with others, and our partnership with this incredible organization makes it even more exciting.

First, let me tell you a little about me! I was born and raised in North Dakota by two music teachers, and two of my grandparents are music teachers too. I moved to Central Ohio in 2017 to finish my degree in music education and make my own footsteps on the path my parents had started me on. I currently teach a class about the interaction between art/music and culture/society at Wedgewood Middle School in Columbus City. Really I just get to talk about social justice, art, jazz, and hip-hop all day while hanging out with kids who think my shoes are weird and my laugh is funny, which is a dream come true! During my evenings, weekends, and summers, I teach a variety of programming with The Jazz Academy and maintain a pretty active calendar of singing around the city.

Back to The Gladden Community House! Gladden has been serving the Franklinton and Columbus communities for over 115 years, providing everything from pre-school and rent assistance to senior citizen outreach and summer camps for kids. When I walked into the building for the first time, I could feel the love, support, and positivity exuding from the space. It’s a hard feeling to put into words, and almost impossible to understand until you’ve experienced it. I knew this residency was going to be filled with learning, excitement, and FUN!

The Jazz Academy facilitated a partnership with Gladden for my teaching team and me to present four sessions of two hours in length over the course of a week. The goal was to teach some jazz history, listen to a wide array of examples, play instruments, sing some songs, and ultimately spread the love of jazz. My teaching team was made up of Jake Smith (saxophone), Anthony Dake (drums), and Ben Maloney (piano). Each day of camp, we started with all students (grades K-8) together in the gym, and we played some music for them. After our time together, we split into groups according to grade so we could spend a little time with some more age-appropriate activities, although something tells me the 8th graders could’ve outdanced me during “It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing”.

We learned about the birthplace of jazz (not New Jersey, as a very adorable 3rd grader would like you to believe), some important jazz figures (such as Duke Smellington, according to an equally adorable 1st grader), and even the blues (which can apparently be written about fried chicken)! It’s sometimes hard to tell if students are retaining the information you’re presenting them with, so I made them a deal: if they could collectively answer 15 trivia questions about everything we’d been learning, I’d bring them Jolly Ranchers the next morning. If you’ve never worked with kids, then you can’t fully understand the bargaining power of sugar. It worked, and not a single answer was missed! What was missed was my trip to Kroger that night to get them. After a stern scolding from a child whose voice I will now never forget, I learned that you can DoorDash Jolly Ranchers for the low low price of $20!

My favorite part of the week had to be the time we spent learning about the blues. We were able to have a very meaningful conversation about how the blues was inspired by the Black American experience during and after the period of enslavement in this country. We talked about and listened to the direct influences of the blues: field hollers, work songs, spirituals, code songs, and chants. There is something about the blues that just sits right in the soul–it sounds and feels ingrained in our minds. When I asked if anyone had heard a song that sounded like that before, every single student raised their hands. We discussed how both jazz and blues were created out of a struggle for freedom. After having their voices suppressed for so long, there was finally a way for Black Americans to speak their truth and uplift one another in the form of communal creativity. Students shared things that made them feel “blue” in their lives: siblings stealing from them, being bullied at school, running out of chocolate, friends not being able to come outside to play, missing a family member, and being spoken down to.

Students were asked to write their own lyrics to blues songs when we split into our age groups. The younger group wrote one song together with my and Jake’s help, and the older group wrote them individually or with partners as Anthony and Ben walked around and helped out. Unsurprisingly, the younger group’s song had to do with not getting what they wanted and being mad at their siblings:

I wanna go outside but my friends all went away

I wanna go outside but my friends all went away

I was having fun but that just ruined my day

My brother and my sister are annoying me today

My brother and my sister are annoying me today

They’re making me mad but I love them anyway

When the young students and I returned to the gym to rejoin the older students, we performed our song for them. They even taught the older students the words! A few older groups wanted to perform theirs as well, and we heard a song about chicken, my favorite line being “my fingers are right for the licking”, and one about chocolate, which pretty much just went “I want some chocolate//I don’t have any chocolate//I wish I had some chocolate”. Ah, music. A vehicle for truth. Then two girls who called their group “Independence” shared their song about the way they view men’s treatment of women:

We stand up, they try to put us down

We stand up, they try to put us down

But we just stand in our crowns and our gowns

They think they do all the work

They try to kick us to the dirt

But we know our worth

They don’t understand

The life of a woman

Is not in their command

It was wildly inspiring to see the support these students had for their peers. Not a single snicker or giggle was heard, just smiles and whoops of support as their friends took to the microphone and shared their voices. Whether we were singing, playing boomwhackers, or writing songs, the energy brought to each day’s activities was unlike anything I’ve experienced throughout my work with Jazz Arts Group. In fact, I had SO much fun I was almost tempted to crash their field trip to the zoo! Our time at the Gladden House was intended to wrap up with a PBJ & Jazz performance at the Topiary Park, but it was unfortunately canceled due to the weather. Something tells me I’ll sing with these students again though!

I want to say a HUGE thank you to The Jazz Academy for facilitating such meaningful and fun work in the community. It’s truly special for me to feel so fulfilled and find so much joy in what I get to call”work”. Furthermore, THANK YOU to The Gladden Community House for their dedication to this community for over a century. Without the work they do, thousands of people of all ages would go without the necessary (and sometimes lifesaving) support they need to make it through life.

If you enjoyed what you read, please consider making a donation to The Jazz Arts Group on their website to continue allowing programming like this to reach students in every corner of this great city. Without support from people like you, there is no ColumbUS!

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2023 Hank Marr Winner Announced https://www.jazzartsgroup.org/2023-hank-marr-winner-announced/ Mon, 22 May 2023 18:05:26 +0000 https://www.jazzartsgroup.org/?p=38111

JAZZ ARTS GROUP ANNOUNCES WINNER OF 2023 HANK MARR HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ AWARD

Jordan Steinbrook is Announced as the 2023 Hank Marr High School Jazz Award Recipient

The Jazz Arts Group of Columbus (JAG) has announced its winner of the 2023 Hank Marr High School Jazz Award – trumpeter Jordan Steinbrook. The award demonstrates excellence in musicianship and performance amongst young students of jazz in Ohio and comes with a cash prize of $500 along with an opportunity to perform with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, led by Byron Stripling.

Each year, Jazz Arts Group hosts the Hank Marr High School Jazz Award to showcase Ohio’s top young jazz musicians and honor the late pianist and B3 organist Hank Marr. Beginning each year in the spring, high schoolers across the state prepare their audition recordings and send them in for three to four finalists to be chosen. These finalists gather at the Jazz Academy in the Lincoln Theatre in downtown Columbus to perform before a panel of professional musicians and educators. After individual and group performances among the three finalists, one excellent musician is chosen as that year’s Hank Marr High School Jazz Award Winner. The winner sees their name etched into the plaque alongside each triumphant awardee since 2003. They earn a $500 cash prize and a stack of Jamey Aebersold play-along books for both them and their school. Most exciting, the winner joins the Columbus Jazz Orchestra on stage for a once in a lifetime experience to play with the band in its annual summer concert series!

Jordan will perform with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra for a select JazZoo concert date at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium this summer. 

Hank Marr:

Columbus music legend Hank Marr was one of the world’s masters of the Hammond B3 organ. Along with Hank’s celebrity status as a member of the jazz elite, he was a dedicated and gifted educator. In recognition of over fifty years as a performer, teacher, arranger and conductor, the Jazz Arts Group established the Hank Marr High School Jazz Award as a tribute to this special individual. His willingness to “pass it on” makes the encouragement of young jazz artists an important and meaningful activity. Support for the Hank Marr High School Jazz Award comes from Crabbe, Brown, and James, Jamey Aebersold Jazz, Stanton’s Sheet Music, and Jazz Education Connection of Ohio. Additional support comes from individual contributors who knew and loved Hank Marr.

The adjudicators for the competition were Tom Carroll, guitarist, retired Professor of Music at Denison University; Pete Mills, saxophonist, Professor at Denison University, member of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra; and George DeLancey, bassist and educator.

About the 2023 winner:

Jordan Steinbrook is a rising senior at Bexley High School. A multi-instumentalist who plays piano, trumpet, bass, and drum set, Jordan has participated in Jazz Arts Group’s Jazz Academy programming for 6 years, including summer camps and the Columbus Youth Jazz Program. He was selected for the 2023 OMEA All-State Jazz Ensemble and performed in the CYJO Legacy All-Star Big Band on JAG’s Jazz at the Lincoln concert series. A member of a student-led combo of Columbus Youth Jazz friends which performs regularly around the Columbus area, Jordan is excited to return to the Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra in 2023-24.

Three students received runner-up awards from the competition; Fiona Sullivan, piano, Jacob Stange, bass, and Jett Gonzalez, saxophone. All four finalists have been active participants of the Columbus Youth Jazz program held at the Jazz Academy.

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A Snapshot of JAG Education – Inspiration, Community and Celebration https://www.jazzartsgroup.org/a-snapshot-of-jag-education-inspiration-community-and-celebration/ Tue, 08 Nov 2022 21:00:44 +0000 https://www.jazzartsgroup.org/?p=37087

By Rachel Azbell, Education Program Manager

Jazz Arts Group’s 50th anniversary season kicked off with a bang with a celebration of “Louis Armstrong and Friends” featuring the great Carmen Bradford with special guest Ricky Riccardi. This week was filled with some of the most special, memorable moments for not just myself but all who were involved; from JAG staff, to the special guests, to our wonderful community of students, teachers, and audience-members alike.

The Columbus Jazz Orchestra’s first show of the season showcased the biggest great in our music – Louis Armstrong. Those who know jazz understand the significance and reverence required for this figure. Everything he did, from his virtuosic trumpet playing, singing and scat-singing, to who he was and what he stood for as a person is worthy of celebration and remembrance. A particular highlight from this show was learning more about Louis from Ricky Riccardi, who is the foremost authority on Louis and directs the archives at the Louis Armstrong House. Hearing the history and depth to the person himself was so intriguing and it made me appreciate the music even more. What better way to start a season than this? I also enjoyed the musical selections of the band, the interaction of Carmen and Byron, Carmen’s beautiful vocal features and mostly, the way the audience loved this show too.

Carmen Bradford has a special presence about her. I remember when I met her in 2018 as a young singer how  inspired I was by her artistry and presence. Beyond that though, I continued over the last several years to reminisce fondly on how special Carmen made me feel. As a young musician, we seek acceptance and recognition from the people who inspire us. We want so badly to be seen by them as artists too. As a young woman, Carmen did that for me. Seeing her again this week felt like a reunion of sorts. She asked me about my life, what’s going on in my career and how my mom was. I felt instantly reconnected with her. Add this to the undeniable voice and the history of this woman and you start to get the full picture of how amazing this person is and how lucky you are to be around her.

I scheduled Carmen’s visits to two high school choral programs as part of our Guest Artist in Schools program, which brings world class musicians to classrooms for free. We visited Fort Hayes, under the direction of Martha Tepper and Centennial High School, under the direction of Pam Welsh-Huggins. In both visits, I was struck by how immensely personal and deep Carmen got with these students. She has a special way of inviting them into her world while also relating to where they are as young musicians. One special moment during the week that I will never forget is Carmen and the students at Centennial doing a call and response scat singing activity on the blues. A small snippet of that activity is available to watch below. While watching the students, you could see how they lit up when Carmen sang a particularly fun, bluesy idea and they got to sing it back. Several students even had the opportunity at both schools to sing solo for Carmen and receive some feedback. It was really inspiring to watch these young musicians stand before such an important musician like Carmen and use their voice in such a vulnerable way.

This program is one of the many amazing educational opportunities Jazz Arts Group offers to the Columbus community. As we begin our 50th anniversary season, we are excited to be growing the old and creating the new in JAG Education. A snapshot of what’s happening and what’s to come: our Youth Jazz program has successfully bounced back from the pandemic, with four big bands, five small groups and a vocal lab with ten singers rehearsing every week in the Jazz Academy. Our signature programming, including the Columbus Community Jazz Band, PBJ and Jazz, Jumpin JaKs, the Youth Jazz Lab in Schools program and more are thriving and searching for ways to grow. Unrolling this season are many new programs, including the Jazz Academy Jam Session series, a monthly educational jam, the Youth Jazz Vocal Lab in Schools, the Jazz Academy Adult Vocal Workshop and in the spring, the return of the Columbus Youth Jazz Girls Project with a Jazz Girls Day in store. We couldn’t be more excited to be offering these programs to our community and we want you to be a part of it.

Please visit our website for our most up to date programs and events and reach out to me, Rachel Azbell (razbell@jazzartsgroup.org), with questions or for ways to get involved.

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Press Southworth III, CEO of the Jazz Arts Group, to retire https://www.jazzartsgroup.org/press-southworth-iii-ceo-of-the-jazz-arts-group-to-retire/ Thu, 23 Jun 2022 00:14:43 +0000 https://www.jazzartsgroup.org/?p=36389

Press Southworth IIIJazz Arts Group board to conduct national search for successor

COLUMBUS, OH [June, 22, 2022] – Press Southworth III, Chief Executive Officer of the Columbus Jazz Arts Group (JAG) for the past 10 years, has announced that he will retire.

The Columbus Jazz Orchestra is a world-renowned repertory jazz orchestra and is nationally recognized for its educational programs and unique Jazz Academy, a one of-a-kind facility dedicated to instruction in jazz theory and performance. Students of JAG’s education programs have become noted artists and educators throughout the nation. During Southworth’s tenure as CEO, JAG has grown to become the third largest performing arts organization in Columbus and the second largest jazz repertory orchestra in the United States. It receives major institutional support from the Ohio Arts Council, the Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC) and has received GCAC’s Artistic Excellence Award on two occasions.

Today, JAG stands as a thought-leader and artistic guidepost through its work with BalletMet, the Columbus Zoo, CCAD, WOSU Public Media, the Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus, the King Arts Complex, COSI, the New Albany Community Foundation, and Thurber House. Partnerships with community organizations include the YMCA, the Urban League, the Columbus Museum of Art, Experience Columbus, the Godman Guild, the Salvation Army, the Mid-Ohio Foodbank and other local and regional organizations

“The Jazz Arts Group has flourished under Press’ strong stewardship and financial acumen,” said JAG Board President Gary Wadman. “With the strong foundation Press has helped provide, we are excited about continuing our mission to advance and celebrate the art of jazz through performance and education.”

Prior to joining JAG and Opera Columbus, Southworth spent nearly 27 years with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP where he served as engagement partner on SEC reporting bank holding companies, and served companies in the insurance, retail and mutual fund industries. He was a national leader in the firm’s In-Control Services response to the FDIC Improvement Act and member of the AICPA Banking Committee and FDICIA Task Force.

A summa cum laude graduate of The Ohio State University, Press was recognized by PaceSetters as The Outstanding Scholar Leader of the Senior Class of the Business College in 1975. He is a Vietnam Veteran and recipient of the Purple Heart while serving in the US Army as an Artillery Captain.

Press has been an active community volunteer for more than 40 years and has served as chairman or president of the following organizations: Ohio Society of CPAs, PaceSetters of the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University, March of Dimes of Central Ohio, Prevent Blindness of Ohio, St. Charles Booster Club, the Columbus Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants, the Columbus Chapter of the OSCPAs, Opera Columbus and Columbus Cultural Leadership Consortium. Prior to joining JAG, Press served as executive director of Opera Columbus from 2006 to 2011 and, during that tenure, was also president of the Columbus Cultural Leadership Consortium for two years.

“Serving as the CEO of the Jazz Arts Group for the past 10 years has been an incredible experience. I have worked throughout my career to ensure performing arts in Central Ohio can thrive and make our community a great place to live, work and play,” said Southworth. “I have been so fortunate to be part of an incredible JAG family and work alongside a talented group of professionals, musicians, volunteers and community leaders over the years. I thank them profoundly for their support and all that we have accomplished together to take the Jazz Arts Group into the next century.”

Southworth will continue in his role until a new CEO is in place. The JAG Board of Directors will seek input from a broad range of community leaders and stakeholders to aid in the search for Southworth’s replacement.

About Jazz Arts Group

The Jazz Arts Group of Columbus (JAG) is America’s premier not-for-profit arts organization dedicated to producing, performing and promoting Jazz. Our mission is to advance and celebrate the art of jazz through performance and education. The Jazz Arts Group divides its resources among two areas: performance and education.

The Jazz Arts Group believes in the power of music to transform lives and is committed to offering lifelong-learning opportunities for individuals of all ages, interests, backgrounds and abilities. JAG achieves this with our JAG Education & Community programs and through our Jazz Academy activities.

Media Contact
Kendal Smith, Director of Marketing & Communication
ksmith@jazzartsgroup.org | 614-294-5200 x 110

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Byron, Bobby, and the JAG All-Stars – Press Release https://www.jazzartsgroup.org/byron-bobby-and-the-jag-all-stars-press-release/ Tue, 03 May 2022 23:21:41 +0000 https://www.jazzartsgroup.org/?p=36324

The Jazz Arts Group thanks Grange Insurance for long-term partnership and recognizes Kelly Shellhammer as the Ray Eubanks Distinguished Service Award recipient as they gear up for a historic season.

COLUMBUS, OH, MAY 3, 2022 – The Jazz Arts Group (JAG) announces a special concert, “Byron, Bobby, and the JAG All-Stars”, held on Friday May 20, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. at the Lincoln Theatre, to commemorate 49 years as they head towards a historic 50th season.

The Jazz Arts Group invites you to join them for an evening of music featuring the Jazz Arts Group Artistic Director Byron Stripling, Columbus favorite Bobby Floyd on piano, and a host of musicians that JAG is inviting back to the stage on May 20th in the historic Lincoln Theatre. At this concert, JAG will be recognizing a significant anniversary in their long-term partnership with Grange Insurance, reaching a memorable 40 years of continuous support, along with honoring the 2022 Ray Eubanks Award recipient, Ms. Kelly Shellhammer.

This coming season marks the 50th year from the founding of the Jazz Arts Group in 1973 by Mr. Ray Eubanks and to help kick off this momentous achievement, JAG would like to invite the community and its supporters to reflect on what the previous 49 years have brought to the Columbus area. Since its beginning, the Jazz Arts Group has been focused on bringing exceptional performances and providing jazz education to the community. They are looking forward to this historic season to not only reflect, but also celebrate the individuals, partners, sponsors, and musicians that have helped them achieve 50 years of music.

The Jazz Arts Group would like to recognize Grange Insurance for 40 years of their support and celebrate with them this important accomplishment. Grange Insurance and their continuous contribution to the Jazz Arts Group’s mission and programs has paved the way for consistent education and performance opportunities throughout Columbus. To honor 40 years of continuous partnership, the Jazz Arts Group is giving special recognition to Grange Insurance to thank them for their support in creating opportunities for music and education throughout Central Ohio.

“Grange Insurance is proud of the many decades of partnership and support for the Columbus Jazz Arts Group. Their music inspires hope, provides food for the soul, and nourishment for our communities”, said Grange Insurance President and CEO John Ammendola. “Grange is committed to providing support in building thriving and vibrant communities, and in many ways, so do the arts. I applaud the Jazz Arts Group for playing a central role in creating rich social and cultural experiences throughout central Ohio and beyond. Their music is the common bond that connects cultures and neighborhoods, touching and engaging every one of us. It is truly an honor to accept this recognition on behalf of Grange and our associates.”

The Jazz Arts Group is also honoring Ms. Kelly Shellhammer, who has been named the 2022 Ray Eubanks Distinguished Service Award recipient. Ms. Shellhammer retired in 2022 after 31 years as the Jazz Band Director at the Gahanna Jefferson Public School District. This award recognizes outstanding contributions to the Columbus community through jazz, and the Jazz Arts Group is honored to acknowledge Kelly for her outstanding leadership, passion for educating, and exemplary service to jazz within the Columbus community. “It was a great surprise to receive word that I was being honored with an award named for Ray Eubanks,” stated Ms. Shellhammer. “Growing up here in Columbus with Al Berry as my band director and Wes Orr as my trumpet teacher, I was exposed to the Jazz Arts Group as a teenager. I fell in love with the music and the group. I have great respect for the work Ray has done in this community and am humbled to receive this award that bears his name. Not to mention joining an elite group of other award recipients such as Mark Donavan and Wes Orr.” Kelly continues saying, “JAG not only influenced my life but was also a fantastic partner in my teaching career, affording my students many tremendous opportunities for which I am eternally grateful.”

The Jazz Arts Group invites the entire Columbus community to join them in recognizing Grange Insurance and Ms. Kelly Shellhammer for their tremendous impact on the mission of JAG and the music community of Central Ohio. The Jazz Arts Group is America’s premier not-for-profit arts organization dedicated to producing, performing and promoting jazz. Their mission is to advance and celebrate the art of jazz through performance and education and they hope for all to join them in this historic celebration of jazz in Columbus.

Tickets are now available with CBUSArts at https://my.cbusarts.com/3769 or by calling 614-469-0939.

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For media inquiries please contact: Kendal Smith Interim Director of Marketing and Communications, Jazz Arts Group, ksmith@jazzartsgroup.org 614-294-5200 x 110

Press Release
May 3, 2022

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JAZZ ARTS GROUP ANNOUNCES 2022 PBJ & JAZZ FREE SUMMER CONCERT SERIES https://www.jazzartsgroup.org/jazz-arts-group-announces-2022-pbj-jazz-free-summer-concert-series/ Tue, 03 May 2022 23:18:03 +0000 https://www.jazzartsgroup.org/?p=36327

Columbus, OH, May 3, 2022 – The beloved family series, PBJ & Jazz at the Topiary Park, returns for another swingin’ season this summer! Join the Jazz Arts Group at the downtown Topiary Park (480 East Town Street) for four free family oriented concerts at 12:00 p.m. on June 11, July 9, August 13, and September 10.

PBJ & Jazz concerts, founded by local educator Rebecca Ogden, are designed to introduce jazz and various styles of American music to young children and their families. These Jazz Arts Group programs are one hour long interactive concerts that encourage children to sing, dance, and learn about jazz alongside the adults in their lives.

Artists for the 2022 summer season include:

  • Cedric Easton & Circle of Friends (June 11), a dynamic group of musicians bringing jazz standards to the dance floor led by drummer Cedric Easton.
  • Largemouth Brass Band (July 9), this genre-bending ensemble is bringing down the house with all your favorite pop and jazz hits featuring a funky twist.
  • Jeanette Williams Tribute (August 13), a celebration of music and friendship paying tribute to the Columbus jazz singer and performed by her friends, Thomas Carroll on guitar, Bobby Floyd on piano, Mary McClendon on voice, and Jim Rupp on Drums.
  • PBJ & Jazz Big Band (September 10), the biggest band ever, is returning to the PBJ & Jazz stage to play more of your favorite songs.

PBJ & Jazz at the Topiary Park is sponsored by Encova Insurance and presented in partnership with WCBE 90.5 FM, Friends of the Topiary Park, Columbus Metropolitan Library, and the Columbus Museum of Art.

PBJ & Jazz concerts follow a story time at 11:00 a.m. held in the main branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library. For the PBJ & Jazz program, guests are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch, blankets, and chairs to the Topiary Park. Following the concert, the Columbus Museum of Art is presenting a hands-on art activity beginning at 1:00 p.m.

In the event of inclement weather, all activities will be held inside the Columbus Metropolitan Library adjacent to the Topiary Park located at 96 South Grant Avenue.

The Jazz Arts Group is America’s premier not-for-profit arts organization dedicated to producing, performing, and promoting jazz. Their mission is to advance and celebrate the art of jazz through performance and education and they hope for all to join them for their family summer series.

For more information about the Jazz Arts Group, visit www.JazzArtsGroup.org. To learn more about PBJ & Jazz at the Topiary Park, visit www.JazzArtsGroup.org/PBJ, email us at info@jazzartsgroup.org, or call 614-294-5200 x 106.

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For media inquiries please contact: Kendal Smith Interim Director of Marketing and Communications, Jazz Arts Group, ksmith@jazzartsgroup.org 614-294-5200 x 110

May 3, 2022

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Require Proof of Vaccination for All Indoor Performances https://www.jazzartsgroup.org/require-proof-of-vaccination-for-all-indoor-performances/ Tue, 21 Sep 2021 13:07:12 +0000 https://www.jazzartsgroup.org/?p=35818 Leading Columbus Performing Arts Organizations to Require Proof of Vaccination for All Indoor Performances Beginning October 8

Beginning October 8, 2021, a group of leading Columbus performing arts organizations will require all patrons, staff, and volunteers to provide proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test in order to attend their indoor arts events and performances. This is in addition to all persons being required to wear masks indoors at all times regardless of vaccination status. The implementation of both precautions is critical to venues remaining open and performing arts organizations moving forward with their fall schedules.

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2021 Hank Marr Winner Announced https://www.jazzartsgroup.org/2021-hank-marr-winner-announced/ Fri, 04 Jun 2021 15:52:19 +0000 https://www.jazzartsgroup.org/?p=35249

JAZZ ARTS GROUP ANNOUNCES WINNER OF 2021 HANK MARR HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ AWARD

Mason Bryant is Announced as the 2021 Hank Marr High School Jazz Award Recipient

Columbus, OH –The Jazz Arts Group of Columbus (JAG) has announced its winner of the 2021 Hank Marr High School Jazz Award – 16-year-old guitarist Mason Bryant. The award demonstrates excellence in musicianship and performance amongst young students of jazz in Ohio and comes with a cash prize of $500 along with an opportunity to perform with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, led by Byron Stripling.

Each year, Jazz Arts Group hosts the Hank Marr High School Jazz Award to showcase Ohio’s top young jazz musicians and honor the late pianist and B3 organist Hank Marr. Beginning each year in the spring, high schoolers across the state prepare their audition recordings and send them in for three finalists to be chosen. These finalists gather at the Jazz Academy in the Lincoln Theatre in downtown Columbus to perform before a panel of professional musicians and educators. After individual and group performances among the three finalists, one excellent musician is chosen as that year’s Hank Marr High School Jazz Award Winner. The winner sees their name etched into the plaque alongside each triumphant awardee since 2003. They earn a $500 cash prize and a stack of Jamey Aebersold play-along books for both them and their school. Most exciting, the winner joins the Columbus Jazz Orchestra on stage for a once in a lifetime experience to play with the band in its annual summer concert series!

Mason will be performing with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra on July 30th, during their summer concert series at the historic Lincoln Theatre.

Due to cancellation of the 2020 summer concert series, last year’s winner, drummer Simon Metzger will be joining the CJO performance this summer as well.

Hank Marr:

Columbus music legend Hank Marr was one of the world’s masters of the Hammond B3 organ. Along with Hank’s celebrity status as a member of the jazz elite, he was a dedicated and gifted educator. In recognition of over fifty years as a performer, teacher, arranger and conductor, the Jazz Arts Group established the Hank Marr High School Jazz Award as a tribute to this special individual. His willingness to “pass it on” makes the encouragement of young jazz artists an important and meaningful activity. Support for the Hank Marr High School Jazz Award comes from Crabbe, Brown, and James, Jamey Aebersold Jazz, Stanton’s Sheet Music, and Jazz Education Connection of Ohio. Additional support comes from individual contributors who knew and loved Hank Marr.

The adjudicators for the competition were Tom Carroll, guitarist, retired Professor of Music at Denison University; Bobby Floyd, pianist, educator, member of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra; and Jim Rupp, drummer, lecturer, Professor of Music at the Ohio State University.

About the 2021 winner:

Mason Bryant is a 16-year-old sophomore who is currently attending Hilliard Bradley High School. Mason fell in love with music around the age of 9 when he first heard his stepfather play an acoustic guitar. To him, it was the best thing he had ever heard, and it made him want to learn guitar. A year or so later, Mason played guitar in his elementary school’s talent show. When he saw the looks on people’s faces as he launched into a solo, he knew that this was what he was meant to do. After this, Mason participated in a Columbus Youth Jazz Lab, and was introduced to his guitar instructor, Dennis Hodges. Mason also joined School of Rock which introduced him to kids who were as passionate about music as he was. While he was in School of Rock, Mason earned a place in their House Band and later became a School of Rock All-Star through an international audition process. As a School of Rock All-Star, Mason did a 9-day tour of the west coast in 2019, from Seattle to San Francisco. In 2020, Mason joined the Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra, as jazz has become his musical passion. After graduating from high school, Mason is looking forward to playing music at the college level and eventually becoming a professional musician.

Two students received runner-up awards for their participation in this year’s competition: Alex Davenport, drummer, and Jesse Jefferis, piano. All three finalists have been active participants of our Youth Jazz programs for many years.

About the 2020 winner:

Simon Metzger, 17, is finishing his junior year at Bowling Green High School in Bowling Green, Ohio. He participates in the BGHS Marching Band, Symphonic Band, and Jazz Cats. Simon began playing the drums at age 4 when he began his studies with students of the late Dr. Roger Schupp and briefly with Dr. Schupp himself. He currently studies with Dr. Dan Piccolo at Bowling Green State University, where he also participates in jazz ensembles directed by Jeff Halsey and David Bixler. During Simon’s first three years of high school, he has twice been selected to the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) All-State Band, BGSU High School Honors Band, Northwest Regional Orchestra, and to the OMEA District 1 Honors Band three times. In 2019, he was selected as a member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) All-National Concert Band. In 2020, he performed with the OMEA All-State Jazz Band under the direction of Bill Warfield. He has received the Woody Herman Jazz Award. Simon will be attending the University of Southern California, majoring in Jazz Studies.

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An Open Letter to our Students and their Families https://www.jazzartsgroup.org/openletter/ Wed, 25 Nov 2020 19:04:25 +0000 https://www.jazzartsgroup.org/?p=34852 November 25, 2020

By: Zach Compston, Director of Education and Community Engagement

As we take this time to rest, recharge and refocus our attention on family and fellowship, the word “gratitude” has taken on new meaning during these times. True to the spirit of jazz, together we have embraced the unknowns of daily life with music in our hearts and minds. We have committed ourselves, not to the same ambition, goal-setting, or achievement mindset of before, but to the basics of what it means to be “okay”, and how to be “okay” together as a community who believes in music as a source of healing. And for your participation and continued support of our work, we are grateful.

Since March, we have sought to provide connection and inspiration within the Jazz Academy and the Columbus Youth Jazz program during a time that, frankly, feels disconnected and uninspiring. With each guest artist who visited us – Sherrie Maricle and the DIVA Jazz Orchestra, Matt Wilson’s Christmas Tree-O, Quan Howell, Bobby Floyd, Byron Stripling and so many more  – they passed on the message that your creativity and expression are needed more than ever. Your voice needs to be heard, and the key to emerging from these crazy times is knowing that you are uniquely positioned to change the world. With each group lesson and “Tune Room”, our educators saw your curiosity and desire to learn more despite not being able to apply your skills to an in-person band. And with each virtual performance, our teaching faculty attempted to convey their passion for performance through the Zoom screen, hoping that it would remind you why we all play music.

So, speaking as someone who spends hours each day strategizing and problem-solving in order to provide any amount of “normalcy” to our students lives, my biggest takeaway is that without your tenacity, strength, commitment and desire, none of this would be possible. The word gratitude”does not do justice to the feeling that each of our educators and artists have for you, the students and families of our programs. 

As we round the corner into 2021, our team has returned to the drawing board and are developing new ways to keep jazz and creative music-making in your lives. Each participant in our spring semester will receive free access to Jazz Arts Group’s brand-new virtual concert stage, JAG TV, where you can join our audience for inspiring performances by local and international musicians. We will dive into music technology to bring you fun and inspiring music-making projects that spark your imagination and keep you developing on your instrument. But, most of all, we aim to find new ways to connect and keep our community strong until we can meet again in person. Your feedback will be at the center of making 2021 a more exciting time to be a part of Columbus Youth Jazz. We hope you register to join us again, and above all, we thank you for being a part of our musical family.

Sincerely,

Zach Compston

Director of Education and Community Engagement

Jazz Arts Group/Jazz Academy

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