Introduction to the project:

The "Listen For The Jazz" project is a multi-year, research and documentary effort initiated in 1987. The project has produced dozens of performance/documentary programs, Jazz & Eggs Jam Sessions, "The Listen For The Jazz All-Star Band", "Listen For The Jazz: Key Notes In Columbus History" a 150 page text (two editions), and three CDs recorded live at project programs and local jam sessions. In partnership with the Martin Luther King Jr. Complex For The Arts the project produced a comprehensive photographic exhibition and, partnered with The Ohio Historical Society provided researchers for the OhioJazz! exhibition at the OHS Museum. The "Listen For The Jazz" research and development team chose to place this Archive in The Ohio Historical Society archives in order to make the material more accessible to the public. The "Listen For The Jazz" project and associated programs are sponsored by The Arts Foundation Of Olde Towne and have been generously funded in-part by, The Ohio Arts Council, The Joint Program in The Arts and Humanities, The Ohio Humanities Council and The Greater Columbus Arts Council.

The database

Welcome to "The Listen For The Jazz: Key Notes In Columbus History" photo and informational archive. This archive is designed to be easily researched by jazz scholars, fans, those interested in finding family members and historians. The database may be searched by using the index of photos or by individual artists or band name. For those interested in just looking through the material, the archive provides a wonderful trip through the "jazz days" of the past.

Instructions for using the archive

From the menu on the left, choose the Artist Index or Group Index for a complete listing of performers pictured in this archive.

Click on the Artist's (or group) name for a set of thumbnail images and brief information.

For additional information and a larger picture, click on the image or the "more" link.

 

"Listen For The Jazz" Collaborators

Charles Einhorn:
Einhorn was born with a Jazz spirit, he is a partner in the public relations firm of Einhorn+Stan, and has served as the president of the Board of The Arts Foundation Of Olde Towne, the parent agency for the "Listen For The Jazz" program.

Arnett Howard:
An accomplished musician, Howard has collected and archived materials about Columbus Jazz history for the past twenty years. His "Musicians Scrapbook" served as the basis for the original "Listen For The Jazz" Archive and his continuing interest helps keep the project fresh. Howard served as co-curator of the JazzOhio! exhibit at the Ohio Historical Society.

Andrew Klein:
Klein is a well known Jazz collector and noted early jazz historian and speaker. He has published numerous articles on jazz history and related topics. Klein has an extensive collection of oral history interviews.

Jim Loeffler:
Archivist and collector, Loeffler provides valuable resources from his vast accumulation of jazz memorabilia and recordings. Jim is the past-president of the Ohio Hot Jazz Society.

Ted McDaniel Ph. D.
McDaniel is Professor Of African American Music and Director of Jazz Studies at The Ohio State University where he conducts the OSU Jazz Ensemble. McDaniel chaired the Department Of Black Studies at OSU for seven years. He is a noted writer and music arranger and a founder of the National Black Music Caucus. He has served as an evaluator and panelist for Arts Midwest and The National Endowment For The Arts.

Dave Myers:
Co-Curator of The Columbus Senior Musicians Hall Of Fame, Myers is the author of the Encyclopedia of Columbus Music

J. Webster Vierow
Vierow created the website, database and cgi scripting to power your search, and provided the skills to clean, scan and digitize the "Listen For The Jazz" archive.

Gene Walker:
Walker taught music at The Ohio State University, in The Columbus Public Schools and at the Jamey Abersod Workshops. He has performed with Hank Marr, King Curtis, Jimmy McGriff, Chris Columbo and Johnny Hammond Smith to mention just a few.

Candice Watkins:
Watkins has served as the Project Director for "Listen For The Jazz" Project, Organizational Director of The Arts Foundation Of Olde Towne, President of the Board of Friends Of The Homeless, Planning Team Leader for the Hot Times Community Arts & Music Festival, and as a co-curator for the JazzOhio! Exhibit at The Ohio Historical Society.