A letter from CJO Executive Director, Scott Garlock

Dear Friends,

For many years, being 39 was seen as the last year of youth, and the ensuing year began the start of a grind towards slowing down and doing less. Society no longer feels that way – now it’s “life begins at 40, 50, etc.” So, although the CJO is now 39, our recent, vibrant years only point to an increased impact that we are having in our Northeast Ohio communities.

If you attend one of our Season Series Concerts, you are experiencing our best known activity. Over the years, the CJO has presented jazz’s finest performers, innovators and writers. And at every Season Series Concert, you’ll hear original arrangements form our gifted and award-winning Artistic Director, Paul Ferguson. These singular, sonic moments are then rendered at a world-class level by our region’s finest musicians, ensuring you’ll hear “the best jazz you’ve ever heard, and the best jazz you’ve never heard!”

But we are doing so much more than this!

Our residency program with Cleveland Metropolitan School District Middle Schools is now in it's fourth year and has more than doubled in size!
Our instrument donation program has taken in over seven dozen instruments!
We give away dozens of free student tickets to each Season Series Concert!
Throughout the region, as “CJO in the City,” CJO groups of all sizes perform for nonprofit benefits, private events, and in parks, clubs and theaters!

The ONLY reason we have been able to conduct all of these important cultural and educational activities has been through the support of so many donors and grantors through our first 39 years. It is this generosity that enables the CJO to thrive – we welcome you to help us share even more with our region.

We hope to see you at a CJO show soon!

Best, and stay safe and well,

Scott Garlock
Executive Director