The BJA Partners with the BSO for their “Jazzing the Orchestra” series
The Baltimore Jazz Alliance (BJA) ended the first of collaborations with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) after the Sunday Matinee performance of ‘Lush Life: Ellington and Strayhorn” on November 24th. The association began when Cait Grose, Associate Director of Patron Experience for the BSO, contacted me in mid-October with an offer for a partnership with the BJA. The BSO featured a series of Jazz and “Jazz Adjacent” performances in November as it highlighted National Jazz Month and offered to feature the BJA in their lobby throughout the month.
In response to this offer, the BJA commanded a table in the lobby from which we dispensed information about our programs, including the website, the jazz calendar, the newsletter, the members grants program, and the Jazz for Kids program. Several BJA members staffed the table through three weekends during the month. One member, Charmaine Michelle, not only helped staff the table throughout the month, but also created four large display posters for this event. They featured information about the BJA mission and membership and included a list former Baltimore jazz greats and names of over a dozen Baltimore jazz venues that feature jazz in the Greater Baltimore region. Each panel had a large QR code linking to a plethora of BJA material.
Charmaine felt this collaboration opened new avenues for appreciation among classical audiences who may not have been previously exposed to the Baltimore jazz scene. The events featured talented jazz musicians, including Todd Marcus and Leo Maxey, creating an engaging atmosphere that highlighted the artistic synergy between the two genres, jazz and classical.
Another member staffing the table was overwhelmed by the number of people who approached the table and were genuinely excited to learn about the size and diversity of jazz offerings in our region She enjoyed her experience so much that she signed on for one the BSO ticket packages, saying it was the perfect complement to her BJA membership. I also found that the Jazz calendar functionality was a crowd favorite.
In addition to the table and posters, the BJA also featured live performances in the lobby before two of the concerts. The Worthy Brothers, Eric and Zack, regaled attendees in the lobby with their performances of several jazz standards, including “Fly Me to the Moon,” “The Girl from Ipanema,” and “Mack the Knife”. Guitarist Fred Moss and saxophonist Eric Brooks performed before the last Sunday performance. Their set included “On Green Dolphin Street” and “Night and Day.” The duo received appreciative attention from BSO attendees, including some who were recording the performance from the balcony.
I was gratified when, during my stint in the lobby, a couple approached me at the end of a concert and exclaimed, “Where can we hear jazz right now, tonight–we’re ready!” I checked the calendar and said, “Keystone is probably your best bet at this hour,” then watched as they hurried out the door. I also enjoyed interacting with the exemplary BSO staff and volunteers throughout the month. We were offered great tickets to each performance, and everyone, from the sound guy and the door hosts, treated us with smiles and good vibes. I very much look forward to partnering with them again in March of 2025, for the next “Jazzing the Orchestra” event, “Heywood Pays Tribute to Ellington,” featuring Cyrus Chestnut on piano and Sean Jones on trumpet.
–By Tyrone Crawley
Tyrone Crawley is the President of the Baltimore Jazz Alliance and works tirelessly to further its mission throughout metropolitan Baltimore.