The Central Ohio Hot Jazz Society (COHJS) will hold its Fall Harvest Festival of Bands & Charity Event on Sunday, November 19, from 1:30 to 6:30pm at the Makoy Center in Hilliard. An annual celebration of the bounty of traditional jazz in the region and a chance to give thanks by giving to those less fortunate, this year’s festival boasts three great bands from three Ohio communities and three generations of hot jazz. Ray Heitger’s Cakewalkin’ Jass Band from Toledo, The Cincinnati River Rats, and the OSU Trad & Swing Ensemble will all heat up the Makoy’s beautiful dance floor with swinging sets of fun trad jazz, and SwingColumbus will teach dance lessons during the set breaks. Admission is: $15 for COHJS members; $20 for non-members (Purchase your 2018 membership at the door and receive the members’ admission price); and $10 for dance club members, students, and music teachers. Please consider bringing a non-perishable food item for a local food bank. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Keep reading for more info on the bands from COHJS plus video.
Bands performing Sunday:
- Ray Heitger’s Cakewalkin’ Jass Band is celebrating its 50th birthday! The band played their first gig on December 8, 1967 at the Bonnie Bar on Western Ave in Toledo, and started at Tony Packo’s on July 3, 1968. They’re now one of the oldest continuously working New Orleans style bands in the country.
- The Cincy River Rats are hot young professionals who’ve already got a whole lot of bandstand experience and bring exciting new energy, plus some pretty impressive credentials like Cincy Conservatory of Music degrees to boot!
- The OSU Swing & Trad Combo is a group of amazingly talented undergrads, under the capable guidance of jazz great Jim Masters, who bring us yet another generation’s ear and love for our great shared American musical heritage and foundations.