The Jazz Arts Group advances the art of jazz through performance and education.

What is the Jazz Arts Group?

The Jazz Arts Group of Columbus (JAG) is America's oldest 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; Jazz on the Avenue, our small group series; Musician Services, providing employment opportunities for professional musicians; and JAG's extensive Education Programs, educating both students and adults about jazz and American music.

The Columbus Jazz Orchestra (CJO) presents over forty concerts each season at the historic Southern Theatre in two performance series: Swingin' At The Southern and The Great American Songbook. The 2100 subscribers for the two concert series makes the CJO audience the largest subscription base for any jazz orchestra series in the United States. The CJO now also 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 learing opportunities for individuals of all ages, interest, backgrounds and abilities. In April 2009, JAG will open the Jazz Academy in the historic Lincoln Theatre. The Jazz Academy, with 5,000 square feet of instruction space, will be a primer facility of rmulti-generational and recreational music making, master classes, emsemble playing, after-school programs, educator training and lectures - a places where everyone can listen, learn and play.

Through a variety of education and outreach programs, JAG makes a significant impact on thousands of people each year, young and old alike, providing the opportunity to experience America's indigenous art form - jazz. Youth jazz ensembles, in-school performances, professional development for educators, internships for young people, master classes with world-renowned musicians and the new Jazz Academy initiative are just a few of the ways the Jazz Arts Group is making a difference through music.