Now that summer is over, a perennial family favorite moves inside for a new season of concerts that “introduce jazz and American music to young children and their families.” Jazz Arts Group’s 2018-2019 PBJ & Jazz Fall/Winter Series presents five concerts in the Lincoln Theatre ballroom, monthly from November through March, covering a wide array of jazz sounds played by the city’s finest musicians. The schedule gets off to a rousing start on Saturday, November 10th, with two concerts at 10am & 11:30am featuring modern fusion juggernaut Safety Squad, and continues with concerts featuring Dave Powers and Friends, Anthony Stanco Ensemble, Maggie Green Quintet, and Bobby Floyd Trio featuring Mary McClendon. Tickets are available at the door, and reservations can be made through Eventbrite. Follow Jazz Arts Group’s Jazz Academy Facebook page for info as concerts approach, and get ready for an exciting season of jazz for the whole family! Keep reading for full details from JAG:
PBJ & JAZZ CONCERT SERIES RETURNS TO THE LINCOLN THEATRE BALLROOM STARTING SATURDAY NOVEMBER 10TH
PRESENTED BY THE JAZZ ARTS GROUP
Columbus, OH – Kids, grab your parents and grandparents and bring them to the Jazz Arts Group’s 2018-2019 PBJ & Jazz Fall/Winter Concert Series starting Saturday, November 10 at 10 and 11:30 a.m. at the Lincoln Theatre Ballroom (769 East Long Street). PBJ & Jazz concerts are one-hour long interactive concerts designed to introduce jazz and American music to young children and their families. The series is sponsored by Grange Insurance and PNC Bank. Jazz Academy support also comes from GCAC, Ohio Arts Council, The Columbus Foundation, LBrands, State Auto Insurance Companies and Southwest Airlines, the Official Airline of the Jazz Arts Group’s Jazz Academy.
Don’t miss this year’s collection of internationally known artists. The season kicks off Saturday, November 10 with Safety Squad and its high-energy, entertaining approach to jazz fusion. Other series highlights include Dave Powers and Friends performing “Songs of the Season” on Saturday, December 15; Anthony Stanco Ensemble presenting a trumpet-inspired program on Saturday, January 12, 2019; Vocal sensation Maggie Green performing Brazilian jazz on February 23, 2019; Fan-favorite Bobby Floyd Trio featuring Columbus vocal jazz legend Mary McClendon on March 23, 2019.
PBJ & Jazz concerts feature some of Columbus’ finest musicians and ensembles in a family- friendly setting. PBJ and Jazz artists are known for their ability to captivate audiences of all ages, making the series a cornerstone of Jazz Arts Group’s Jazz Academy programming. Parents love this program because “the musicians [are] extremely family friendly,” as reported by a mom this past season. “We loved the approachability of the programming.”
PBJ & Jazz concerts are more than just a chance for children to have fun, sing, and dance; your child will be learning too. “My daughter and I enjoyed how the band leader introduced each instrument,” reported one parent. “It helped her identify what each instrument sounds like. On the way home she was correctly identifying trumpets and saxophones in the jazz songs we were playing.”
PBJ & Jazz concerts are $5 per person at the door with a family maximum of $20. Children receive a peanut butter & jelly sandwich, juice and a cookie. The 2018-19 Fall/Winter season concerts are held in the ballroom in the Lincoln Theatre complex, 769 E. Long Street, Columbus, OH 43203. A Spring/Summer schedule of PBJ & Jazz concerts will take place outdoors at the Downtown Topiary Park on East Town Street. Those dates and performers will be announced at a later date.
Reservations for PBJ & Jazz series concerts can be made at Eventbrite.com. For more information, call 614-294-5200 or e-mail Alexa Brennan, Education and Outreach Coordinator at abrennan@jazzartsgroup.org
PBJ & Jazz 2018-2019 Fall/Winter Concert Schedule:
(All at the Lincoln Theatre Ballroom, 769 East Long Street)
Saturday, November 10, 2018
Safety Squad
Saturday, December 15, 2018
Dave Powers and Friends
Saturday, January 12, 2019
Anthony Stanco Ensemble
Saturday, February 23, 2019 Maggie Green Quintet
Saturday, March 23, 2019
Bobby Floyd Trio featuring Mary McClendon
About the Jazz Arts Group:
The Jazz Arts Group of Columbus (JAG) is America’s premiere not-for-profit arts organization dedicated to producing, performing and promoting jazz. JAG is the third largest performing arts organization in Columbus and consists of four focus areas: the Columbus Jazz Orchestra (CJO), one of the world’s finest professional jazz orchestras; the Jazz Academy, JAG’s extensive instructional programs educating both students and adults about jazz and American music; Jazz Arts Group Presents, a jazz and blues performance series produced at the historic Lincoln Theatre and beyond; and Affiliate Musicians, a program providing employment opportunities for professional musicians. General operating support for Jazz Arts Group programs comes from Cardinal Health, the Columbus Foundation, Grange Insurance, the Greater Columbus Arts Council, L Brands, the Ohio Arts Council, Plante Moran and the Westin Columbus. Media partners include WOSU Public Media, Sunny 95, WMNI Radio and City Scene Magazine. The Jazz Arts Group’s season sponsor s Jerry Jurgensen.
About PBJ & Jazz Artists:
Saturday, November 10, 2018 – Safety Squad Safety Squad is an eight-piece fusion jazz group which originated as a cover band and quickly began writing and releasing original music. Since their debut album in 2016, Safety Squad has brought their Columbus talent to festivals and stages from Columbus and Cincinatti to Cleveland and Chicago. Many of the members of Safety Squad have served as teaching artists at the Jazz Academy in the past and this fall they will be using those talents to take on their most challenging audience yet – children. You won’t want to miss this outstanding live performance featuring the incredibly talented Columbus musicians.
Saturday, December 15, 2018 – Dave Powers and Friends
Dave Powers is one of Columbus’ greatest jazz treasures. The two-time EMMY® award winner has played piano both nationally and internationally alongside greats like Rusty Bryant, Eric Gale, Joan Rivers, Arturo Sandoval, and many more. You can often catch Dave at Vaso, Hyde Park Arlington, and Vittoria Ristorante where he plays regularly. This winter he will be joined by his trio for a holiday treat you won’t want to miss.
Saturday, January 12, 2019 – Anthony Stanco Ensemble
Anthony Stanco is a fabulous trumpeter from southeast Michigan, now residing and teaching in Columbus, Ohio. Stanco has an international presence, playing across the United States and in over twelve other countries. The Anthony Stanco Ensemble, comprised of talented mid-west musicians, is described as a “can’t miss” show. The group’s ability to combine jazz with various cultures and art forms has made them popular in a range of venues and across borders.
Saturday, February 23, 2019 – Maggie Green Quintet
Maggie Green is a mother, teacher, and phenomenal jazz vocalist right here in Columbus, Ohio. Green graduated from Boston’s Berklee College of Music where she found her love of jazz music and Brazillian styling. She has performed across the United States and in Brazil, where she also recorded her self-titled album in 2007. Her warm tone and multi-lingual vocals will engage and excite children and parents alike.
Saturday, March 23, 2019 – Bobby Floyd Trio featuring Mary McClendon
The Bobby Floyd Trio is a favorite of Columbus, Ohio and continues to amaze audiences at each performance. Floyd is known for his jazz styling on piano, keyboards, and most notably the B3 organ. He has frequently accompanied the top jazz players and vocalists around the world and continues to frequently bring his soulful music to the stage with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra. This March, the Bobby Floyd Trio will play alongside another Columbus favorite, Mary McClendon.
Mary McClendon is a jazz vocalist raised on the south side of Columbus where she frequently sang in her church choir. Her love for singing brought her to a three-year run performing at Clyde’s at Courthouse Square amongst national and international artists. Since then, McClendon has performed all over central Ohio and regularly tributes jazz greats like Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson, and Billie Holiday.