Executive Director Scott Garlock playing a trombone on stage with a dark background

A letter from CJO Executive Director, Scott Garlock

Onward (adverb) – toward a point ahead or in front; forward, as in space or time.

Welcome to Season 41 of the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra!

Our Artistic Director, Paul Ferguson, often ends planning conversations with a single word: Onward. It’s a fitting motto for both his vision and the CJO’s mission. Whether on stage or in the classroom, the CJO leads with creativity, excellence, and a deep commitment to positively impacting the lives of Northeast Ohioans—ages 9 to 90 and beyond.

Music You Can’t Hear Anywhere Else

A defining feature of the CJO is the music we perform. When we’re not showcasing works by jazz legends like Sammy Nestico, Maria Schneider, and Bill Holman, our own gifted writers—led by the prolific Paul Ferguson—create original compositions and arrangements you simply can’t hear anywhere else.

Our Season Series Concerts are the CJO’s most visible work, featuring the region’s finest jazz musicians alongside some of the most important figures in jazz. Over the years, we’ve shared the stage with Sarah Vaughan, Tony Bennett, Joe Lovano, Christian McBride, Regina Carter, Bria Skonberg, and countless others (full list here).

Bringing Jazz to the Community

Through CJO in the City, our music resonates in schools, clubs, theaters, parks, and places of worship. From nonprofit galas to community festivals and corporate gatherings, CJO ensembles of all sizes bring live jazz to diverse audiences (book a performance).

A Landmark in Jazz Education

Most importantly, the CJO is the only non-school entity in the U.S. teaching jazz to middle school students. Our landmark residency in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District features multiple weekly visits by multiple CJO instructors. At some schools, we help students take their very first musical steps; at others, 6th graders are already composing and improvising their own works.

We also:

  • Distribute nearly 1,000 free student tickets to our Season Series each year

  • Hold rehearsals in schools for student access and inspiration

    Have donated nearly 100 instruments through our Instrument Donation Program

All of this—our educational outreach, our cultural contributions, our unforgettable performances—is possible only because of your support and attendance. As we launch into our fifth decade, we thank you for joining us on this journey and helping us move ever Onward.

Meet the Board of Directors

  • A professional headshot of a man with red hair, wearing glasses, a navy suit jacket, and a checkered shirt, smiling at the camera.

    Jonathan Augustine

    Treasurer

  • George Bashour

    Director

  • Professional headshot of a smiling man in a suit with a white shirt and red tie, against a neutral background.

    George Carr

    Finance Chair & Personnel Chair

  • A smiling man with light brown hair, blue eyes, wearing a black suit, white shirt, and striped tie.

    Eric Daniel

    President

  • A middle-aged man with a bald head and gray beard wearing a dark pinstripe suit, white shirt, and patterned red tie, standing indoors with a blurred window background.

    Calvin Griffith

    VP of Governance & Development/ Marketing Chair

  • Michael Hogue

    Director

  • A smiling man with glasses, a bald head, and a white beard, wearing a black blazer and maroon shirt, against a dark grey background.

    Nathan Holaway

    Director

  • Christopher Klasa

    Director

  • A man in a dark suit and blue patterned tie smiling at the camera against a plain gray background.

    Scott Marsh

    Director

  • Portrait of a smiling woman with short hair and hoop earrings, wearing a dark blazer.

    Lolita McDavid

    Education Outreach Chair

  • Formal portrait of a middle-aged African American man wearing a brown suit, white shirt, and blue plaid tie.

    Darrell Scott

    Director

  • Professional headshot of a man in a blue suit, light blue shirt, and patterned tie, smiling against a green background.

    Karthik Sekharan

    Director

  • Portrait of an older African American man with short hair and a goatee, wearing a dark gray suit jacket over a navy blue shirt with white polka dots, against a black background.

    Vince Robinson

    Secretary

  • Close-up of a smiling woman with dark hair and light skin.

    Musette Vincent

    Director

Interested in joining the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra’s Board Of Directors?

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