Who We Are
The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra has been Northeast Ohio’s premier jazz voice since 1985. Led by award-winning composer and trombonist Paul Ferguson, the CJO promotes jazz in its historical and contemporary forms, through concerts featuring a stellar line-up of jazz luminaries, arrangers, composers, and educators. At a CJO concert, you will enjoy "the best jazz you've ever heard and the best jazz you've never heard." Through inventive, original music and effective, innovative Educational Outreach, the CJO shepherds young and up-and-coming musicians and provides our region with unique and important cultural experiences.
Our Mission
The mission of the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra is to increase awareness and appreciation of jazz by engaging the community with original music, exceptional performances, and inspirational educational programming.
Learn, live, and love jazz.
Season Series Concerts
CJO presents 5-6 large scale season series concerts each year, featuring guest artists and a range of themes. Recent guests have included Maria Schneider, Regina Carter, Joe Lovano, and Vanessa Rubin. In 2021-2022, we made our season series concert home at the incredible Maltz Performing Arts Center, in University Circle.
CJO in the City
In addition to our concert series, you can catch us at various venues around town all year, in clubs like the Bop Stop and BLU Jazz+ Akron, at summer festivals, in places of worship, in theaters, and more!
Educational Outreach
We are proud to provide our region with innovative educational outreach. Most of CJO’s performers are also master educators who work regularly with students of all ages.
Book a Gig!
Whether you need one performer, a trio, a small combo, the CJO Little Big Band, or the full orchestra, we can help you make your event a success!
Donate!
Support the great musical heritage of Cleveland – by supporting Cleveland Jazz Orchestra’s mission to increase awareness and appreciation of jazz.
