Greater Cleveland...And All That Jazz!

To much of the world, music in Cleveland means the Cleveland Orchestra, polka bands and rock and roll. However, Greater Cleveland has also made significant contributions to jazz through the years and continues to do so today.

Greater Cleveland is full of bright stars but we have a special one amongst our presence, Ron Ellington Shy – the grandson of the late, great Duke Ellington! Like Duke, Ron is a tremendous musician who performs at Cleveland’s Pickwick & Frolic Restaurant and Club – Home to Hilarities Comedy Club (in-between filming movies).

Jazz, in and of itself, has always been a tough word to define. Duke Ellington once defined jazz as “freedom of expression. Later, Ellington said, “I don’t think I have a definition anymore, unless it is that jazz is a music with an African foundation which came out of an American environment.” So there you have it… or do you? Here’s your chance to explore some of the sights and sounds of jazz today – all while creating your own meaning of the word, JAZZ:

Annual TRI-C JazzFest, April [Get the complete schedule at www.travelcleveland.com ]
You’re in store for some classic jazz with Al Green, Jeff Lorber, Richard Eliot, Gerald Albright and more! Sizzle to Puerto Rico Latin Jazz and groove to the beat of some of Cleveland’s rising new stars! Venues throughout Northeast Ohio will be jumpin’ during the two- week festival, and with tradition, the America’s premier educational jazz festival will present an awesome schedule of master classes and clinics featuring world-class musicians – FREE!

Fat Fish Blue
Catch a cajun creation and enjoy the talents of this nationally acclaimed 86 year old gem, Robert Lockwood, Jr. He roams the world playing his jazz-tinted Delta Blues and on Wednesdays performs with his eight-piece band at Fat Fish Blue downtown. Like a fine French cognac, he gets better with age; no dust, rust or must here!

Cool Fridays / Hot Wednesdays
The Cleveland Museum of Art Stop by the interior garden court between 5:30 and 8:30 every Friday night for an informal “happy hour” with live music. An expanded summer program offers a wealth of activities every Wednesday and Friday evening in June, July, and August.

Get in the know and contact the Northeast Ohio Jazz Society! They’ll provide you with a complete list of monthly jazz concerts and events to keep your calendar full.

It’s easy to get JAZZED with over 100 live jazz clubs and 100,000 live entertainment (concerts, comedy, theater) seats in Greater Cleveland! Here’s a sampling:

Check out these HOT spots for Live Jazz!

Hornblowers
Johnny’s Downtown
Ritz Carlton
Renaissance Cleveland Hotel
Club Isabella
Flower (formerly - That Place on Bellflower)
Hyde Park Grille
Metropolitan Café
Robin’s Nest
Star at Playhouse Square
Nighttown
The Bop Stop
Club 75
Spectacular Outdoor Venues
Blossom Music Center
Cain Park
Nautica Entertainment Complex
Tower City Amphitheater