Olde Towne East Jazz Festival
Olde Towne East Jazz Festival was founded in April 2023 as a 501(c)3 active non-profit organization. Our organization designs community-based events of cultural importance that elevate the Olde Towne East and Near East side Community.
Formed to improve the quality of life in our community and spark community engagement through Music and the Arts we have created a platform to provide artists and local acts who usually are not able to be a headliner to be seen and heard to gain exposure and bring awareness to Ohio’s rich history of Jazz and the Music Scene. We spotlight a brand-new band each year who would not ordinarily have the opportunity to play at other Columbus festivals and venues. We set out to bring back to light this forgotten rich jazz history of Olde Towne East and the Near East Side starting with our red-carpet experience. We also advocate for Olde Towne East and Near East side for neighborhood improvements and policy changes that will allow Olde Towne East and Near East Side residents to thrive.
2024 Olde Towne East Jazz Festival and Martin J Ruffin Community Day:
The Olde Towne East Jazz Festival and The Martin J Ruffin Community Event will once again bring attention back to a once historical area and give hope to its rebirth and regain its rich history as a great Mecca by precipitating community participation. This year will feature an Urban Jazz Kick-off event and Youth showcase Friday, August 16th, 2024 from 6-10pm (to include a panel discussion and tribute to Jazz and Hip Hop history in Ohio). Olde Towne East Jazz Festival and OSU Jazz Music Studies Head, Michael Smith teamed up to present our 1st ever Jazz Master Class 11am - 2pm Saturday, August 17th, 2024. Headlining International Jazz recording artists, national and local Jazz Groups as well as community leaders on August 17th - 18th,2024 from 2pm – 9:30pm. Our Martin J Ruffin Community Outreach in the afternoon of Saturday, August 17th, 2024 will include back-to-school supplies with Social Services agencies onsite with a family orientated theme. Followed by our 1st ever Jazz in the Park Brunch event Sunday, August 18th, 2024 11am-2pm.
Some of the areas of charitable donation may include food and clothing items. Areas of education will include but not limited to minority and underprivileged individuals and families. Outreach efforts will include curriculum and program development in the Arts, Music and Audio Engineering/Sound to include Columbus City Schools, Music Programs at Post Secondary Institutions.