The Jazz Arts Group of Columbus (JAG) will celebrate the Jazz Academy’s first birthday with an open house on Thursday, June 10 from 5:30 – 8 PM at its home in the King-Lincoln District. The festivities will include music, tours, demonstrations, games, cake, ice cream and a very special award presentation honoring Jazz Academy faculty member Rebecca Ogden, also known as “The Music Lady,” for her lifelong commitment to music education and to the promotion of live music and musicians in the community.

“Becky has been teaching at the Jazz Academy since it opened – running a fantastic preschool program that is the quality of any across the world!,”  shares Carol Argiro, Jazz Academy Director of Community Programs. “She constantly blows my mind with her skill and passion.  She also continues to present quality live music in her home, and is an avid supporter of live music and of musicians. I know many of you, like I, are grateful for Becky’s support over the last twenty or so years! (In my case, over 30 years!)”

In 2009, the Jazz Arts Group opened the Jazz Academy community instructional space in the newly restored and historic Lincoln Theatre complex for multi-generational and recreational music making, ensemble playing, after-school programs, technology instruction and lectures with world-class musicians – a place where everyone can listen, learn and play. With nearly 5,000 square feet, this state-of-the-art facility is home to a recording lab, a keyboard studio, and multiple rehearsal spaces.

“The Jazz Academy’s first birthday – I can’t believe a year has gone by,“ adds Argiro. “While there is still much work to do, we have had a great number of accomplishments and thrills over the past year: 

• Wess Anderson’s rehearsal of “Bird and Strings” at the Jazz Academy prior to the Jazz & Ribs Festival performance, July 2009
• Hosting hand drum classes with ADD Ohio
• Collaboration with CDCFC Head Start program and working with Godman Guild
• CAMP Blues and the live concert by camp participants on the last night at the Thirsty Ear concert
• Visits from The Yellowjackets, Jimmy Thackery, Trombone Shorty and all the great guest artists with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra

 We look forward to all that is to come!”

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. Classes at the Jazz Academy are designed to engage all ages and interests, from pre-school children to senior citizens, guitar players to aspiring producers, and students to teachers. For more information regarding summer camps, registration policies, or scholarships, please contact Jazz Arts Group at 614-294-5200 x 107 or click here for complete class descriptions, faculty biographies and online registration. To help support the efforts of the Jazz Academy, a birthday gift registry is also available for viewing online.

Jazz Academy programs are made possible through ongoing support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Ohio Arts Council, the Greater Columbus Arts Council, the Columbus Foundation, Chase Bank, AEP Ohio, Limited Brands, Cardinal Health, Honda of America Mfg., Abercrombie & Fitch, Nationwide, National City/PNC Bank, Bob Evans Farms, Fifth Third Bank, Plante & Moran, PLLC and Wolfe Enterprises, Inc. Jazz Academy music partners include Yamaha, Sabian, Remo, Sweetwater Music, Central City Recording, and Capital University with media support from WCBE 90.5 FM and WOSU Public Media.