Jazz Arts Group and the Columbus Jazz Orchestra

The Jazz Arts Group of Columbus (JAG) is America’s oldest not-for-profit arts organization dedicated to producing, performing and promoting jazz. JAG divides its resources among two areas: performance and education. JAG serves as an "umbrella" organization to the Columbus Jazz Orchestra (CJO), performance activities at the Lincoln Theatre and beyond, the Jazz Academy, and the JAG Affiliate Musicians program.

The CJO is led by trumpet virtuoso Byron Stripling and presents more than twenty concerts each season at the historic Southern Theatre in its "Swingin’ with the CJO" performance series. More than 2,000 subscribers for this series makes the CJO audience the largest jazz orchestra subscription base in the United States. The CJO performs an outdoor summer concert series, JazZoo!, at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

The Jazz Arts Group believes in the power of music to transform lives and is committed to offering lifelong-learning opportunities for individuals of all ages, interests, backgrounds and abilities. JAG achieves this with our two Jazz Academy programs: Jazz in the Community and Jazz in Schools. In June, 2009 JAG opened the Jazz Academy’s community instructional space. With nearly 5,000 square feet, this is a premier facility for multi-generational and recreational music making, ensemble playing, after-school programs, and lectures with world-class musicians - a place where everyone can listen, learn and play. JAG makes a significant impact on thousands of people each year through in-school performances and residencies, professional development for educators, internships for young people and masterclasses with world-renowned musicians. These Jazz Academy initiatives are just a few of the ways the Jazz Arts Group is making a difference through music.