– A LETTER FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – |
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Dear Friends,
For those I haven’t yet had the pleasure of meeting, I am Lenora Inez Brown the new Executive Director of the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra. I met some of you this spring while I served as Interim; I began as the permanent administrative director for this great organization in July. It’s been an honor and joy to work with the board, staff, musicians, and you, our wonderfully supportive CJO circle of friends. |
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Lenora Inez Brown Executive Director |
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We’ve been working to build on the legacy established by previous directors, board members, and staff. As we embark on our 42nd season, we are excited to not only perform the best jazz music at the highest level but to share how this fantastic organization continues to pursue its mission with resolve. |
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My charge is to strengthen and grow our infrastructure to ensure 42 more years of new adaptations of jazz standards, commissioned works, and pieces written for small ensembles arranged for a big band. I look for your help as we institute the changes that accompany our evolution, and I am happy to introduce you to our newly designed newsletter.
Our inaugural issue includes a profile of this season's guest artist, Jamey Haddad, a recap of our summer gigs, and the many ways to support live music, jazz, and the CJO.
I can’t wait to meet you in person at a concert, gig, or just around town.
Yours in jazz,
Lenora |
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Photo credit: Emanuel Wallace |
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– ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: JAMEY HADDAD – |
We all know Cleveland as a wonderful hidden gem. Great landscape; a great lake; world-class arts and culture. Truthfully, we have it all. We're also the place many nationally and internationally known artists and musicians call home. Last season ended with a concert featuring Tony Award© Nominee Mary Bridget Davies joining the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, and this season we begin with award-winning and leading percussionist Jamey Haddad. |
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Our Artistic Director Paul Ferguson is excited to share the stage with Haddad: “Jamey is not just a local legend--he's an international jazz/pop percussion legend who calls Cleveland home.” |
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“I’m excited to build a rhythm section and music that, on a sonic level, isn’t typical for a big band.”
–Jamey Haddad |
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Haddad is considered a master of blending sounds and rhythms for a unique sonic solution from his huge collection of percussion instruments. He has also designed and created numerous instruments including the Hajira drum, the Hadgini drum, and Hadphoon.
Although Haddad is associated with world music, he has been drawn to jazz since his earliest days as a musician even though he played in a few rock bands. |
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Throughout his decades-long career he has collaborated with notable artists such as Paul Simon, Joe Lovano, Yo-Yo Ma, and Sting. He performed on Esperanza Spalding’s 2008 album and maintains a strong relationship with her and other ‘next generation’ jazz musicians through teaching and musical collaboration.
His interest in indigenous music and instruments is longstanding. He has an extensive collection of instruments played during cultural ceremonies around the world. He also hosts many of these master musicians at workshops held in places well outside Cleveland, Ohio. |
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“What draws me to the study of various musical cultures,” shared Haddad, “is the sense of how any music serves their people. Only the winners of musical functionality, service to the community, and the instruments that create the balanced sounds and textures, have survived and been refined over the test of time.” |
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Many of these globally-influenced sounds will infuse the music Ferguson has chosen, in collaboration with Haddad, for the Rhythm Nation concert. “We've created a unique program to showcase Jamey's work with Paul Simon, the Silk Road Project (directed by Yo-Yo Ma), as well as excursions into Arabian, Sephardic and Brazilian music. The evening will be a jazz Pictures at an Exhibition, curated by Jamey Haddad!” Haddad offered, “I’m excited to build a rhythm section and music,” Haddad shared, “that, on a sonic level, isn’t typical for a big band.” |
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- WHAT WE DID ON OUR SUMMER VACATION – |
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The CJO was busy this summer, beginning with two outdoor public performances. Our first public gig opened the outdoor season at Public Square. A crowd of 200 braved the heat and enjoyed an evening of jazz standards. In August, Evelyn and the Little Big Band played before an audience of more than 400 at Lakeview Cemetery's concert Series. Many CJO donors and subscribers enjoyed a lovely Sunday afternoon on Daffodil Hill. |
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For more information on the CJO’s educational jazz residencies or the Educational Festival, contact Lenora Inez Brown at Lenora@clevelandjazz.org. |
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We are delighted to welcome two new corporate sponsors for the 2026-2027 season: |
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We are grateful to all our sponsors and financial supporters of our 26-27 season: |
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And our Cultural and Presenting Media Partners: |
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– THANKFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT – |
Thanks to many of you, the CJO’s end of the fiscal year campaign exceeded its goal and helped us end the year with a small surplus! This is a rare feat for many performing arts organizations in this post-COVID era: thank you!
Your generosity continues to help as the CJO embarks on a new season of subscription concerts, gigs around town and the Greater Cleveland area, and an ever-expanding jazz education program. Whether you give via annual distributions, donations via Donor Advised Funds, or individual donations, know that your gift sustains us. More importantly, your gifts help the CJO grow. |
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As you consider your year-end giving, please consider reviewing your giving history and increasing your gift to help us meet the demand for our orchestra and rising costs associated with producing live music. |
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"I hope the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra will continue to accomplish its mission to provide the truthful, original history of jazz for everyone; public performance opportunities for talented, aspiring jazz musicians; and music lessons for school-age youngsters."
–CJO donor and patron |
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Your donations support our musicians, our educational outreach, and our infrastructure, ensuring the CJO remains a vital and vibrant part of our region's cultural fabric now and far into the future! |
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Next month, we kick off our 42nd Season! Join us on a musical journey, as we celebrate the power of jazz to transform lives!
We return to the Maltz Performing Arts Center for another season of incredible music and phenomenal musicians! |
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Rhythm Nation Friday, October 16th |
Amplifying the World’s Heartbeat: An Evening with Jamey Haddad |
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Legends of Jazz Friday, November 13th |
Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the birth of two jazz greats: Miles Davis and John Coltrane |
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Blues in the Night Saturday, April 24th |
The Music of Harold Arlen - Our 11th Collaboration with The Musical Theater Project |
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Bright Lights Big City Saturday, May 22nd |
The Sounds of Quincy Jones: from Basie to Broadway to MJ |
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