Started by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in 2002, Jazz Appreciation Month was created "to herald and celebrate the extraordinary heritage and history of jazz. Through local and national jazz fans everywhere, JAM is intended to stimulate the current jazz scene and encourage people of all ages to participate in jazz - to study the music, attend concerts, listen to jazz on radio and recordings, read books about jazz, and support institutional jazz programs."
We will be celebrating JAM in our own special way in the Rubber City throughout the month. Join us as we kick off our Thursday night "BLU Jazz+ Student All-Stars Concert Series" with a jazz vinyl listening party at 7PM followed by an open jazz jam hosted by Akron native trumpeter, Tommy Lehman!
A Firestone High School graduate, Lehman currently attends the renowned Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) jazz studies program and plans to continue his education for years to come. He plays regularly with Acid Cats, Ernie Krivda's Fat Tuesday Big Band, Sam Blakelee's Large Group, and other local groups.
The BLU Jazz Jam has become a Thursday night staple each month, so join us as we continue in this storied tradition! Jazz fans - bring your ears, and musicians - bring your horns & sit in for a night of hard-swinging standards, featuring house band members Tommy Lehman (trumpet), Michael Vincent (guitar), Jessica Yafanaro (bass), and Dan Fernandez (drums)!