The Jazz Heritage Orchestra was formed in 1998 in residence with the Cleveland State University Black Studies department. Under the artistic direction of Dennis Bradley Reynolds, the mission of the JHO was to preserve and perpetuate the heritage of the great African American jazz masters through educational programming coupled with elite performance. This mission carries on today through a new partnership with OpenTone Music. From our new home base in Akron, The JHO visits public and private schools to hold open rehearsals, master classes as well as jazz history lectures and performs throughout the Northeast Ohio community. The JHO has performed with many local, national and international artists such as Clark Terry, Benny Golson, Nancy Wilson, John Morton, Evelyn Wright and Vanessa Rubin.
The “Little” Jazz Heritage Orchestra is the newest addition to the JHO/OpenTone Music team. This 12-piece ensemble was formed to explore an often overlooked niche of large ensemble jazz music while in pursuit of the JHO mission. We focus on the works of great composers & arrangers such as Ernie Wilkins and Marty Paich who wrote for this exact instrumentation. We also have a growing collection of original tunes & 12-part arrangements written by members of the JHO family. The LJHO brings a unique and exciting sound you won’t hear on any other bandstand today. “In a thoroughly contemporary twist on the classic jazz lore tradition of the territory band, the Jazz Heritage Orchestra reflects the contributions of an impressive range of musicians from several points on the midwestern map.”Willard Jenkins, Journalist (Jazz Times, Downbeat, BET on Jazz, WPFW)
Doors: 7:30 pm / Showtime: 8:00 pm