April is Jazz Appreciation Month so… Monday, April 05, 2010
…why not take advantage of some of the fantastic jazz programs and events in the Columbus community?
Central to the advancement of jazz performance and education is the innovative Jazz Arts Group.  This unique organization encompasses the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, various youth jazz programs including the Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra, and the Jazz Academy offering classes and workshops for all members of the community regardless of age and musical experience.
The Jazz Arts Group offices and Jazz Academy programs are located at the newly restored Lincoln Theatre, a Columbus jazz landmark. Managed by CAPA, the Lincoln Theatre plays host to numerous arts organizations in addition to hosting concerts and events.
Jazz concerts and courses can also be found at area universities. The Ohio State University, Capital University and Otterbein College all offer either jazz major or minor programs with regular concerts by their jazz ensembles and often host guest artists.
Big band music is a staple in Columbus with Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra at the Columbus Maennerchor each Monday and the Rick Brunetto Big Band at the 94th Aero Squadron every Thursday. You can also revisit the dance band setting of the big band era on the fourth Friday of each month with Swing’s the Thing Big Band at the Columbus Maennerchor.
There are two weekly Tuesday jam sessions - the Jazz Jam at the Park Street Tavern hosted by saxophonist Pete Mills‘ quartet and the Jazz Jam at Ruby Tuesday on Summit hosted by Evan Oberla’s RFG Quintet.
If this isn’t enough to get your jazz fill, don’t forget about the 2 premier summer festivals – the Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival in June and the Columbus Jazz & Ribs Festival in July.
To keep up with jazz events in Columbus check out JazzColumbus.com (read our article about Jazz Columbus here).
Jazz Appreciation Month was started in 2001 by the Smithsonian Institution to pay tribute to jazz as both a historic and living art form. You can find out more about JAM at smithsonianjazz.org.
