Ohio Artists on Tour

MUSIC - JAZZ

Cleveland Jazz Orchestra

The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra (CJO) is an internationally known big band jazz orchestra composed of outstanding professional jazz musicians and educators from Northeast Ohio. Many of its members have performed with great touring bands such as Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Louis Bellson,Clark Terry and others. Established in 1984, the critically-acclaimed orchestra has been dedicated to the preservation and perpetuation of American jazz, our only indigenous art form, and performs everything from classic jazz of the ‘20’s and swing era to contemporary jazz by leading composers. The band, led by Artistic Director Jack Schantz, consists of 17 core members including a vocalist and a team of highly recognized music arrangers. During its 23 years in existence the CJO has accompanied great artists such as Tony Bennett, Mel Torme, Gerald Wilson, Diane Schuur, Cleo Laine, Sarah Vaughn, Rosemary Clooney, and many more. In 2006, the CJO recorded “The Surprise of Being,” with saxophone great Joe Lovano, at Birdland in New York City. The CJO's Education Outreach Program offers individual instruction to high school and college jazz ensembles through side by side clinics and concerts. In addition to the full 17-piece jazz orchestra, the CJO offers a variety of ensembles from a trio to 12-piece dance ensemble. Fees begin at $750 for the trio and increase up to $6,000 for the full band. For more information about all the CJO offers, visit its website at www.clevelandjazz.org.