One of the great new weekly options that has emerged on the oft-bustling Thursday night Columbus Jazz Calendar this year is Bourbon and Jazz Night at 1808 American Bistro in Delaware. Front of House Manager Kelsey Ice provided some details on the restaurant and the night: “We are a contemporary American style Bistro with the occasional Cajun twist. Bourbon and Jazz is every Thursday night in our bar area. We feature a different bourbon every week with a signature cocktail crafted with that featured bourbon. A live jazz ensemble plays from 6-9pm in our bar area, and we recommend getting in early to get a seat. The band calls themselves Destination Jazz and is comprised of local musicians and music teachers. They will even occasionally bring up one of their young students for a song or two, which is always a crowd pleaser! When the band is on breaks, we keep the jazz playing through our speakers with our own jazz playlist! It really is a fun evening, and everyone is welcome!” Check out Destination Jazz at 1808 this week or any Thursday (except for Thanksgiving)!
Shows To See This Week
Friday, November 17th (8 – 10pm): The Ohio State University Jazz Ensemble presents “Connections: Then and Now” at Weigel Hall. The Jazz Studies Department at OSU is presenting a special concert featuring The OSU Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Kris Keith, on a program of original big band jazz compositions by alumni and students. Selections were composed by alumni Ladd McIntosh (1966), John Fedchock (1979), Vince Mendoza (1983), Hamilton Hardin (2004) and Chris Ott (2011). The program also features world premieres of tunes by current members Nicholas Vermilye (“Hot Potato”) and Vince Gillotti (“Unknown Beauty” and “Mean Machine”). The concert is free and open to the public, so come hear the wealth of talented musicians and the legacy of talented composers at the university. And if you can’t attend, the concert will be live streamed here!
Saturday, November 18th (3 – 4pm): Jazz at Lincoln Center Live-Stream Concert: “Who is Benny Goodman” at Bexley Public Library. A new addition to this weekend’s calendar is the return of the series of live streamed JALC Jazz for Young People concerts. Enjoy world-class jazz live from New York City in a lovely local auditorium for free! More details on the show from the library:
In this hour-long live-stream concert, you will laugh, learn, and “Sing, Sing, Sing” with the “King of Swing,” Benny Goodman. Through live musical performances and entertaining storytelling, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis will share Goodman’s joyful music and inspiring story. JLCO saxophonist and clarinetist Victor Goines will host the event and teach audience members how Goodman created his irresistible musical magic.
Saturday, November 18th (8 – 11pm): Chris Godber with NexLevel at Notes. The Brewery District live music hotspot is hosting a high-powered smooth jazz experience for your Saturday night enjoyment. Columbus’ own national urban jazz recording artists NexLevel will be playing with Godber, an emerging saxophone star. Building on the success of his 2015 album Starting Over that featured two hit singles, Godber recently released summer jam “Sizzle,” produced by Adam Hawley, in preparation for 2018 album Momentum. Doors open at 7pm for a night of funky grooves and seductive melodies – click here for tickets and more details. Jazz 98.5 FM, WSAX-LP will also be on hand for a remote broadcast, so seize the chance to meet their staff, and if you can’t stop by, tune in online for updates from the club!
Have a great week! Get a taste of Godber via video: