The Columbus Jazz Society

Upcoming Events and Welcome Sponsorships

By Miguel Juarez

If you’re reading this, it’s probably because you have a soft spot for jazz and local music, whether that’s as a fan or musician (or both).. And if you’ve ever wondered how you could support our burgeoning and booming local jazz scene, we’ve got a couple ways you can do just that.

The Columbus Jazz Society is the Fountain City’s premier organization dedicated to promoting, nurturing and preserving the art of jazz locally. We facilitate events, concerts, clinics, jam sessions, and meetings for musicians and artists with the help and generosity of our partners. We are looking to work with some amazing communityoriented sponsors to help us with our upcoming fundraisers, and for anyone and everyone, we would like to extend a warm invitation for you to attend our upcoming events and learn what jazz is all about

The Columbus Guitar Celebration on Friday, October 18th. The Loft Green Room (1032 Broadway) will provide guitar clinics from Elwood Madeo and Ben Weatherford, followed by a Q&A with the audience. Afterwards, there will be performances by guitarists Skyler Saufley, Stan Williams, and Trey Merritt accompanied by The CJS Rhythm Section: Chris Helms on keyboards, Luca Lombardi on bass, and Martell Hughes on drums. Tickets are available on the CJS website for $20 and are Free for CJS Members and Students.

The CJS will be hosting a free Holiday Giveaway event on Saturday, November 30th at Everything Musical (2400 W Britt David Road). With live music, business clinics and a food drive and free guitar restringif you’d like to bring your guitar. Rocket Power with Joey and Julian Roberts will also be performing and hosting a jamThesession.Annual CJS Soirée on Saturday, January 11th. The Loft’s Green Room will host a gala honoring three of our city’s own, with the CJS Jazz Legend Awards. The event will include the awards ceremony, a live performance from The Cavaliers Orchestra, dinner from The Loft, raffle prizes, and cash bar. Tickets will be available on the CJS website for $55 for members and $95 for non-members.

Then we have The Fountain City Jazz Festival on Saturday, April 12th. As the CJS hosts an inter-school jazz festival to be held at Jordan High School featuring jazz bands from middle schools, high schools, and colleges in the area. We will also be awarding the 2025 CJS Jazz Scholarships of $1,500 to one college student, and $750 each to two high school students during the festival. This event will be free and open to the public.

We also host a jazz jam every Thursday, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. at The Goetchius House (405 Broadway), and have our monthly meeting there every second Sunday at 4 p.m., followed by a concert from 5 - 7p.m. This month’s meeting will be hosted by saxophonist Sion Brunson.

We are partnered with The LocaL Magazine, GetLocalTix.com, Everything Musical, The Music and Entertainment Council, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, The Goetchius House, and The Columbus Cultural Arts Alliance. Columbus is our beloved city where our families will grow and where we can come together as a community. We would consider it such an honor and privilege to partner with our local businesses. We are reaching out to leaders such as yourselves for support in providing the best jazz entertainment and education to our community. Please take time to consider our sponsorship packages. Thank you and have a great day.

TIER 1 (SILVER): $250-499

• Logo on Website https://columbusjazzsociety.com/

• Two (2) FREE Tickets to Annual CJS Soirée

TIER 2 (GOLD): $500-999

• Logo on Banner

• Four (4) FREE Tickets to Annual CJS Soirée TIER 3 (PLATINUM): $1,000-UP

• Regular Promotion during Events, Social Media, Press (The Local Monthly Article)

• Eight (8) FREE Tickets (1 Table) to Annual CJS Soirée

Yours Truly, Miguel Juarez

President; Columbus Jazz Society (818) 515-4228 • columbusjazzsociety.com

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MUSICIAN OF THE MONTH : C. LaFaye

C. LaFaye

CJS: What got you into jazz/blues music?

CL: I always loved listening to jazz when I heard it over the radio or listening to high school concert jazz bands. I fell in love with singing jazz after my family moved/ transitioned to Birmingham, Ala. in 2007. I became a part of a big local church (shout-out to “Guiding Light Church,” where jazz showcase events once a quarter were welcomed, embraced, and adored!) This event showcased local and national jazz artists on stage in the “GOLD ROOM.” Since I was a part of the praise, choir, and special events team as a singer, naturally I became a part of the background singing crew (when needed or asked upon) for these artists.

CJS: What makes you excited about playing jazz/blues in Columbus?

CL: I truly love the sense of community, working together with other like-minded people to generate beautiful and positive events that impact barriers and cross all boundaries. For me, it’s about the uplifting sounds that produce and evoke joy in the individual –not to mention the creation and improvisation of any musical piece!

CJS: Where can people hear you play?

CL: There is never just one regular location. However, these are places you may hear me at: The Loft, The Columbus Museum, local civic & nonprofit organizations, Old Towne Festival, The Goetchius House, CJS (The Columbus Jazz Society) annual Soiree & other events. The list goes on and on...always check local event listings.

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

CL: Diana Krall, Melody Gardot, Liz Wright, Ella Fitzgerald, Sara Vaughn (hard to pick three)

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

CL: That’s truly a hard one, I love all of us and our intricacies! Everyone has something different and good to bring to the table.

CJS: Advice for aspiring musicians?

If you love doing it, don’t stop, always keep moving forward, towards it and in it, while

yet staying humble. Practice doesn’t make you perfect, but it does help you to be better and prepared in most situations. The NIV version Bible states in Proverbs 18:16 - “A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.”

CJS: Favorite quote or saying?

CL: (Philippians 4:13) “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”