CJO History
“The best jazz you’ve ever heard.
The best jazz you’ve never heard.”
Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, circa 1988
Did you know that the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra began as a rehearsal band, playing at the Rascal House for pizza and beer? On Monday nights, the band was led by trumpeter Gary Scott, and thus began the CJO in 1985.
It wasn’t long before the CJO started to grow, and, under the leadership of Roland Paolucci, the foundation of what the CJO looks like today was established, with a subscription series and a performance home at Tri-C Metro’s theater. We started playing with special guests, such as Paquito D’Rivera, Marian McPartland, and Dr. Billy Taylor, and at the close of our 1989 season, we participated in the Tri-C JazzFest, playing for both Sarah Vaughan and Tony Bennett, who were both very complimentary of the CJO.
Some original band members who still grace the stage with us now include Paul Hungerford and George Shernit. The next few years brought on Scott Garlock, Chas Baker, Jack Schantz, and Paul Ferguson. And the early 90’s welcomed Sean Jones, Dave Morgan, and Joe Miller.
By the early 90’s, the CJO was becoming more entrenched in the Northeast Ohio cultural scene, performing at a variety of venues, and highlighting great jazz talents, such as Ken Peplowski and Joe Lovano.
At the end of the 1992-93 season, Paolucci retired and was succeeded as music director by Jack Schantz. Under the leadership of Schantz, the band really focused on featuring the greatest jazz composers and arrangers. At the same time, the musicians within the ensemble were encouraged to write original music. During this era, there was a showcase of music by CJO trombonist (and current Artistic Director) Paul Ferguson, and, in addition to the compositions of Ferguson, Schantz began featuring compositions and arrangements by other CJO members, including Rich Shanklin, Chas Baker, Vaughn Wiester, and Dave Morgan. The group was flourishing and becoming recognized on a national level, not just a local one.
Through the 90’s, the band continued to perform with a wide variety of guests, with a focus on guest conductors, including Bill Holman, Rob McConnell, and Sammy Nestico, former arranger to Count Basie. Nestico guest conducted a concert in the late 90s, which was recorded and released as the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra’s first CD, Swingin’ Together. Of his time with the band, Nestico said, “This is the best band I have ever worked with!” Around the same time, the CJO made its first studio recording, Traditions, a salute to Cleveland’s long and colorful big band history, which featured arrangements by CJO members Rich Shanklin, Ferguson, Morgan, and Baker. The CJO continued to gain national recognition, earning the attention of national critic Jack Bowers, who wrote that the CJO was “one of the country’s most accomplished, community-based ensembles.”
Jack Schantz continued to lead the CJO through the early 2000’s, inviting many of the best jazz arrangers to serve as guest conductors, including Clare Fischer, Gerald Wilson, Frank Foster, and Howie Smith. Other special guests included a return of Ken Peplowski, Sammy Nestico, Joe Lovano, the first visit of Maria Schneider (who joined us in November 2021 for our “Women in Jazz” season!), and Slide Hampton (to name a few).
The return guest appearance of Joe Lovano took place in 2006, which was a notable year–together, the CJO and Lovano did a full week of shows at the famed Birdland Jazz Club in NYC. The result of this collaboration was a live recording called The Surprise of Being. Another jazz relationship that was started around this time was with vocalist Helen Welch, when the CJO recorded with her on a big band CD. Since then, they’ve performed together on numerous occasions.
After 17 years as Artistic Director, in 2010, Jack Schantz retired from the role and was succeeded by former CJO member Sean Jones, who had cut his teeth as a student of Schantz, and was a member of the CJO trumpet section. Jones had graduated from Youngstown State in 2000, and his career quickly took off. By 2004, he was on a Grammy winning recording with Nancy Wilson and playing lead with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, under Wynton Marsalis. By 2007, he had won multiple Downbeat Awards.
Sean Jones and the CJO, Hanna Theater (2012)
In the role of Artistic Director, Sean Jones brought star power and infectious energy to the organization, which was highlighted in the 2011 recording, Live at the BopStop, which included a number of Jones’ originals and Ferguson’s arrangements. For several years, Jones also led CJO sponsored concerts with smaller, “electric” ensembles. However, at this time, the band’s needs were growing, and Jones’ career continued to skyrocket internationally, so Paul Ferguson was named Associate Director, providing the necessary local attention. With these two at the helm, two CDs were recorded: Big Band Christmas (which, sadly, sold out a long time ago) and Rays of Light.
In 2015, alongside the 30th anniversary of the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, CJO trombonist and arranger, Paul Ferguson was named Artistic Director. Ferguson has long been recognized, internationally, for the prolific inventiveness of his writing, and during his tenure, the focus of performing all original material at shows has increased. The CJO’s latest CD, Live from Believeland, is a great example of the original music the CJO creates.
Paul Ferguson and the CJO, Maltz Performing Arts Center (2020)
The number of CJO musicians who are contributing new compositions and arrangements continues to grow–we’ve recently heard works from Brad Wagner, Aidan Plank, George Shernit, Chris Coles, and Dan Bruce. Some of these arrangements were even created to be shared with local music education programs–we offered one free chart a month to local schools when the pandemic forced everyone to only offer virtual learning.
In 2021-2022, after two years of virtual performances, the CJO returned to live performances in a new season series home, the Maltz Performing Arts Center. The new venue was the perfect place for our return to the stage, with our “Women in Jazz” season series, where we welcomed amazing artists, including NEA Jazz Masters Maria Schneider and Regina Carter.
Looking ahead, we’re delighted to be returning to the Maltz Performing Arts Center for the 2022-2023 season, as well as to BLU Jazz+ in Akron, and other fun locations. With our season series “Hometown Heroes & More,” you’ll get to enjoy the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and some of our favorite guest artists.