Columbus Jazz Society

Jazz On the Rise

By Miguel Juarez

There’s nothing like a positive “I told you so” moment. About a year ago, I made a bold claim at one of our monthly board meetings that jazz was on the rise in Columbus and the surrounding areas. We were brainstorming ideas on how to breathe life back into our city’s jazz and live music scene. Faking confidence, I spoke life to what I was hoping for, though I’m not sure I believed it at the time.

Luckily, barely a year later, the seeds of growth and opportunity have started to blossom, and now a whole garden of music and culture is taking shape. But it’s up to us to keep it growing strong.

We can’t do that without the support of our community, and that includes some amazing venues. These are the places where jazz is experienced – where the performers meet the audience, and our live music and jazz scene becomes richer.

The Loft (1032 Broadway): Since it opened its doors in the early 90’s, The Loft has continued to be a pioneer of jazz and live music in our area. Jazz at The Loft is hosted the first Friday of every month from 7-9 p.m. in The Green Room, unless there is a concert scheduled on Broadway. Owner Buddy Nelms never fails to bring top talent and quality entertainment to his establishments. This past month, the Columbus Jazz Society’s very own Luther Smalls and C Lafaye graced The Green Room stage with their mind-blowing performance.

Sydney’s On First (1214 1st Avenue): owned and operated by Mrs. Sydney Helms, has been one of The CJS’s biggest supporters, and has opened their doors to host our 2nd Sunday monthly meetings and concerts. The hair salon is converted into an intimate café, with a bar and snacks available. This month’s concert, followed by an open jam, was hosted by Mike Jerel, who has been a staple in the Columbus music scene since his time performing with The Chemistry Project. He eventually went on to join The Voice and worked with Grammy winner John Legend. More recently, he has been touring as lead vocalist for Tower of Power.

The Goetchius House (405 Broadway): or what I affectionately call “The G House,” is becoming a new hub for live music and jazz since it reopened its doors. Originally built in 1839, it has enjoyed a long history and is one of the most storied properties in our city. Owners Renata Martoni and Matthew Lapides have invited artists and innovators to transform the space into an enchanting hub for music, arts, food and libations. This month, they have hosted violinist Leah Calvert, as well as “Speakeasy” jam sessions with The CJS. The Columbus Jazz Society’s call to action is to keep live music alive, and we are truly grateful to these venues and their respective owners for their dedication and support in making this possible.

They say Columbus is a small town with a big population. Being a small town makes it easy to meet new people every day, and having an ever-growing population ensures the talent and diversity keep evolving and yielding promise. Just like I predicted, jazz in Columbus is alive and well.

Call it lucky, I guess.

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CJS MUSICIAN OF THE MONTH: Skyler Saufley

CJS: What got you into jazz/blues music?

SS: Growing up, my folks never really played music around the house. It wasn’t until I was twelve years old when a friend of mine started putting me on to guys like Muddy Waters and Jimmy Reed. After that, I knew I wanted to get a guitar and learn how to play.

CJS: What makes you excited about playing in Columbus?

SS: It’s rare that I get the chance to perform in Columbus because there just aren’t many venues these days. I usually play up in Atlanta and on the road, so any chance I can perform in the Columbus area is definitely a special occasion.

CJS: Where can people hear you play?

SS: It’s not often that I perform in Columbus, but when I do, it’s usually at The Loft or during the Uptown Concert Series or something like that. Brad from Phenix City Parks and Recreation also organizes some of my favorite local shows. You can catch us at Piccolo 241 Jazz & Cocktails over in Auburn once or twice a month too.

CJS: 3 Jazz/blues artists you’d recommend for beginner, intermediate, and advanced listeners.

SS: I could go on and on with this one, but the first three that come to mind, and in no particular order, are T-Bone Walker, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, and Jimmy Reed. Cool musicians play Jimmy Reed songs. A few names that should be mentioned here are Jimmy Rogers, Eddie Taylor, and Hubert Sumlin.

CJS: Favorite local musician and why? (Doesn’t need to be jazz)

SS: It’s hard to pick a favorite but I’ve always admired La’Roy Bodiford. He’s got great tone and his phrasing is the stuff of masters. You can tell he actually studies the instrument.

CJS: Advice for aspiring musicians?

SS: Most people will tell you to play what’s popular. I feel it’s important to stay true to yourself and play what YOU feel and to always be yourself. There’s an audience for everything and people will always recognize authenticity.

CJS: Favorite quote or saying

SS: “Blues is my life. It’s a true feeling that comes from the heart, not something that just comes out of my mouth. Blues is what I love, and blues is what I always do.” - Koko Taylor

“Oh yeah? Name me one rhumba that Beethoven wrote.” Ed Norton to Ralph Kramden.

To get more Skylar in your life, follow him at @skylarsaufleymusic on Facebook and Instagram and anywhere you listen to music. To book him, simply send him an email at skylersaufley@gmail.com.