The Columbus Jazz Orchestra (CJO) is the considered one of the world's finest jazz orchestras. Led by trumpet virtuoso Byron Stripling, the CJO brings us big band jazz that’s smooth and raucous, raw and joyful.
CJO is the main performing arm of the Jazz Arts Group (JAG). In addition to the 40+ concerts that CJO plays each year, JAG sponsors vocal, instrumental and music history classes for adults and children.
All of the 2009-2010 season shows are at the Southern Theatre or the Riffe Center, so bus stops and parking under the Statehouse are conveniently nearby.
2009 – 2010 Columbus Jazz Orchestra (CJO)/Jazz Arts Group (JAG) Season
A Taste of Smooth Jazz (Great American Songbook Series)Grammy award-winning jazz elder Earl Klugh joins the CJO for a night of silky tones and showing the young ones how it’s done.
When: Sep 25-26
Where: Southern Theatre (SE corner of High and State downtown Columbus)
Time: 8 p.m.
Cost: adults: $38-$49; students 18 or older with valid ID are $10; students under 18 can purchase tickets in the second balcony for $5. Student tickets are available at the door only. Cost-saving hint: You pay no service charge if you buy tickets in person at the JAG office, 939 N. High St., or the Ohio Theatre at 55 E. State St.
Duke's Place (Swingin’ at the Southern Series)
Classic Duke Ellington, interpreted by tenor Dwight Lenox and Lew Tabackin on the flute and tenor sax.
When: Oct 28-Nov 1
Where: Southern Theatre (SE corner of High and State downtown Columbus)
Time: Wed-Sat: 8 p.m.; Sun: 2 and 7:30 p.m.
Cost: adults: $38-$49; students 18 or older with valid ID are $10; students under 18 can purchase tickets in the second balcony for $5. Student tickets are available at the door only. Cost-saving hint: You pay no service charge if you buy tickets in person at the JAG office, 939 N. High St., or the Ohio Theatre at 55 E. State St.
Home for the Holidays (Swingin’ at the Southern Series)
UK singer Helen Welch is no stranger to Columbus audiences. Join her on a sleigh ride of holiday favorites — with special surprise guest!
When: Dec 2-6
Where: Southern Theatre (SE corner of High and State downtown Columbus)
Time: Wed-Sat: 8 p.m.; Sun: 2 and 7:30 p.m.
Cost: adults: $38-$49; students 18 or older with valid ID are $10; students under 18 can purchase tickets in the second balcony for $5. Student tickets are available at the door only. Cost-saving hint: You pay no service charge if you buy tickets in person at the JAG office, 939 N. High St., or the Ohio Theatre at 55 E. State St.
Spinning Wheel (Great American Songbook Series)
Join original Blood, Sweat & Tears (BS&T) band member Lew Soloff, “Blue” Lou Marini – who played with The Blues Brothers and BS&T -- and songwriter/vocalist Bruce Wermuth for a jazz-fueled trip back to the 70’s.
When: Jan 22-23
Where: Southern Theatre (SE corner of High and State downtown Columbus)
Time: 8 p.m.
Cost: adults: $38-$49; students 18 or older with valid ID are $10; students under 18 can purchase tickets in the second balcony for $5. Student tickets are available at the door only. Cost-saving hint: You pay no service charge if you buy tickets in person at the JAG office, 939 N. High St., or the Ohio Theatre at 55 E. State St.
Louis, Ella, and Friends (Swingin’ at the Southern Series)
CJA’s own Byron Stripling, Count Basie Orchestra star Carmen Bradford and local keyboard wiz Dave Powers pay tribute to Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald.
When: Feb 24-28
Where: Southern Theatre (SE corner of High and State downtown Columbus)
Time: Wed-Sat: 8 p.m.; Sun: 2 and 7:30 p.m.
Cost: adults: $38-$49; students 18 or older with valid ID are $10; students under 18 can purchase tickets in the second balcony for $5. Student tickets are available at the door only. Cost-saving hint: You pay no service charge if you buy tickets in person at the JAG office, 939 N. High St., or the Ohio Theatre at 55 E. State St.
I Loves You Porgy (Swingin’ at the Southern Series)
Michael McElroy and Capathia Jenkinsjoin CJO in celebrating Porgy and Bess with swingin’ beat and hot rhythms.
When: March 24-28
Where: Southern Theatre (SE corner of High and State downtown Columbus)
Time: Wed-Sat: 8 p.m.; Sun: 2 and 7:30 p.m.
Cost: adults: $38-$49; students 18 or older with valid ID are $10; students under 18 can purchase tickets in the second balcony for $5. Student tickets are available at the door only. Cost-saving hint: You pay no service charge if you buy tickets in person at the JAG office, 939 N. High St., or the Ohio Theatre at 55 E. State St.
Cole & Cole (Swingin’ at the Southern series)
Singer and movie actor Keith David narrated Ken Burns’ documentaries Jazz and The War. And now he brings us a witty and affectionate homage to Cole Porter and Nat “King” Cole.
When: April 21-25
Where: Southern Theatre (SE corner of High and State downtown Columbus)
Time: Wed-Sat: 8 p.m.; Sun: 2 and 7:30 p.m.
Cost: adults: $38-$49; students 18 or older with valid ID are $10; students under 18 can purchase tickets in the second balcony for $5. Student tickets are available at the door only. Cost-saving hint: You pay no service charge if you buy tickets in person at the JAG office, 939 N. High St., or the Ohio Theatre at 55 E. State St.
A Night in Vegas (Great American Songbook Series)
The CJO and the Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus grab the glitz, glamour and joie de vivre of a Vegas show.
When: May 21-22
Where: Capitol Theatre, Riffe Center, 77 S. High St. (NW corner of High and State downtown Columbus)
Time: 8 p.m.
Cost: adults: $38-$49; students 18 or older with valid ID are $10; students under 18 can purchase tickets in the second balcony for $5. Student tickets are available at the door only. Cost-saving hint: You pay no service charge if you buy tickets in person at the JAG office, 939 N. High St., or the Ohio Theatre at 55 E. State St.