Every jazz lover knows about the “First Lady of Song”, Ella Fitzgerald. In this concert, we will shine the musical spotlight on Columbus’ own vocal jazz legend, Mary McClendon, in this celebration of the music and life of Ella Fitzgerald. Mary and her band will have the audience swinging and singing along during this exciting performance.

PBJ & Jazz concerts are 1-hour long interactive concerts designed to introduce jazz and American music to young children and their families. Featuring some of Columbus’ finest musicians and ensembles, PBJ & Jazz concerts are the perfect way for families to enjoy top-quality jazz music while children learn and play.

Summer PBJ & Jazz concerts are presented at the Topiary Park, free of charge by Jazz Arts Group in partnership with Columbus Museum of Art. The series is made possible by the support of Encova Insurance. This season, the theme is “A Letter to You”, inspired by the visual art of Aminah Robinson and her use of envelopes as a drawing surface in her “Unwritten Love Letters”. These live performances will feature the music of a different famous jazz musician as we write a musical “letter” of gratitude to them for their contributions to jazz. At the end of each concert we invite kids to take home an art activity that is based on Aminah Robinson’s work.