The Athens Community Jazz Ensemble concert and collaboration with Stuart’s Opera House Afterschool Music Program.

This event is FREE and open to the public. There are options to donate to Stuart’s Opera House Afterschool Music Program when selecting tickets.

Stuart’s Opera House is thrilled to welcome the Athens Community Jazz Ensemble (directed by Dr. Matt James), a brand new 20-piece big band that performs accessible, swinging jazz for the community, with the goal of performing all across SE Ohio.

This performance will focus on jazz music and musicians associated with the iconic Blue Note records. Blue Note is one of the most respected jazz labels from the mid to late 20th century, and featured many jazz greats including Horace Silver, Wayne Shorter, Duke Pearson, Clifford Brown, and many others. The music is soulful, swinging, and a great place to start for those wishing to become familiar with the music.

The Athens Community Jazz Ensemble was created in Fall 2021 to build connections between OU, jazz musicians and performance venues across the region, and to help members become more familiar with concepts of jazz style, repertoire, important jazz musicians & ensembles, improvisation, and instrumental technique. They have fun promoting jazz in our region with this “mostly adult” jazz ensemble that welcomes musicians from the community, OU faculty, staff, spouses, and some participation by OU students to fill in the gaps. ACJE is an ensemble offered through the Athens Community Music School. They encourage any musicians from SE Ohio to inquire about membership.

COVID-19 POLICY:

Effective March 14th, Stuart’s Opera House no longer requires proof of vaccination or negative COVID test for entry to public events, and masks are optional for all patrons, staff, and volunteers. Click here to learn more.