The Central Ohio Hot Jazz Society (COHJS) will get into the Thanksgiving spirit by presenting its annual Fall Harvest of Bands and Holiday Charity Event on Sunday, November 20th, from 1 to 6:30pm at the Makoy Center in Hilliard. This annual event always brings some of the best hot jazz bands in the region to town for a swingin’ party, and this year will be no exception, with two great Ohio bands and a hot jam session. Toledo’s long-running Cakewalkin’ Jass Band, led by clarinetist Ray Heitger and featuring vocals by Nicole Heitger, has appeared nationwide and is a Northwest Ohio staple. The Buffalo Ridge Jazz Band, “A Cincinnati Jazz Treasure Since 1996,” recently added renowned pianist and educator Phil DeGreg to its lineup and new tunes to its book. Between full sets by both bands, a jam session will feature members of each bands as well as Columbus all-stars, and SwingColumbus will offer easy “try it” dance lessons. The event benefits local soup kitchens, so bring along non-perishable food items to help those less fortunate. Admission is $15 for COHJS members, $10 for college students, $20 for non-members, and FREE for music educators and students under 18. Don’t forget – you can sign up for your 2017 COHJS membership at the door and receive the member price! This is a great chance to listen and dance to top-notch traditional jazz in a festive environment. Keep reading more info on the bands and videos from COHJS:
We feature the ever-popular and thoroughly entertaining CAKEWALKIN’ JASS BAND, especially including, of course, leader and clarinetist RAY HEITGER, further populated by such northwestern Ohio notables as Prof. DAVE KOSMYNA on cornet; pianist and band leader in his own right RICK GRAFING, and wife BANJO BETSY (on banjo, naturally); trombonist RUSS DAMSCHRODER; drummer BUDDY LOPEZ, and adding her own special talents to the band’s appeal, is vocalist NICOLE HEITGER. This is an historically significant band, having become very popular during its 34 years’ stand at Tony Packo’s in the Toledo area, as well as a variety of appearances nationwide. See them and learn more at www.rayheitger.com.
And, having earned the title “A Cincinnati Jazz Treasure Since 1996,” the revitalized BUFFALO RIDGE JAZZ BAND will make its appearance under the leadership of superb trumpeter SALLY LUKASIK; with husband and clarinetist JOE LUKASIK; trombonist BOB BUTTERS; master tubaist and world navigator MIKE WARD; drummer extrordinaire GUS ROSS; the band’s founder and banjoist BOB ADAMS; and a new addition, CCM Prof. PHIL DeGREG, on piano. Despite a recent hiatus, primarily due to health problems, the BRJB has now emerged even stronger than before, adding the above new member to its roster, new tunes to its book, and resuming a busy schedule of appearances See their impressive new website: www.buffaloridgejazz.com.