Press Release
Columbus Landmarks Honors A Tribe for Jazz with Paul E. Young Outstanding Achievement in Education Award.
Speech.
May 20, 2024
COLUMBUS LANDMARKS PRESERVATION AWARDS CEREMONY CCAD Design Studios on Broad, Columbus, Ohio
Stephanie Matthews, A Tribe for Jazz
Good afternoon, everyone.
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Columbus Landmarks Foundation, Executive Director Rebecca Kemper, and the entire team for their unwavering commitment to preserving Columbus landmarks and neighborhoods through advocacy, education, and investment. It is an honor to stand before you today to receive the Paul E. Young Outstanding Achievement in Education Award, recognizing those who uncover new dimensions of our city's architectural and historical legacy.
The word "legacy" deeply resonates with us at A Tribe for Jazz. It is central to our mission as we work to preserve the legacy and advance the future of jazz through visual storytelling, live and virtual performances, education, and community engagement. Columbus has a profound connection to jazz, a genre that not only serves as a soundtrack to our past but also tells the stories of our vibrant, diverse communities. From booming saxophonist Rahsaan Roland Kirk to the incomparable world-renowned Nancy Wilson. And the great jazz organist, Bobby Floyd... To Columbus’ dynamic new Jazz voices, like trumpeter Miles Davis Smith, Drummer Cedric Easton, and Pianist Micah Thomas, who are all doing great things nationwide — to the more than 200,000 people who descend on Downtown Columbus for the annual Jazz and Rib Fest annually, as well as all of the new jazz clubs like Ginger Rabbit, Adelaide’s Gin Joint and the Blue Note in Bexley.
This is overwhelming proof that Jazz is alive and well! And no matter what young kids say, Jazz music is not old people’s music — It is most certainly present-day music driven by the talents of dynamic young musicians emerging on the scene! Our organization is dedicated to keeping this history alive.
From our Jazz Appreciation Month performances to the Columbus International Jazz Series, we spotlight emerging jazz talents and celebrate our city’s rich heritage. These events are more than concerts; they are celebrations of our diverse cultural fabric. Through artist masterclasses and talks, panel discussions and performances, whether at libraries and institutes of higher learning like Capital University, Otterbein College, and CCAD, we illuminate the profound impact of jazz on our culture -- work to ensure the legacy of jazz is passed down to future generations.
To be clear, advancing the future of jazz is no easy task. It requires creative risk and bold strategy.
In the film The Matrix, there’s a famous scene where Neo visits the oracle. While there, he meets a child and is faced with the task of bending a spoon.
The Boy said: “Do not try and bend the spoon. That's impossible. Instead only try to realize the truth.
Neo: What truth?
Boy: There is no spoon.
That scene embodies our mindset as an organization.
We believe we are free to view Jazz as more than history, culture, heritage, music, discipline, art, and entertainment. We see Jazz music as a gateway, an intersection, a bridge to far-reaching sectors. Quite simply - Jazz equals Innovation. In schools, our program, "An Exploration of Emotions and Color through Jazz Music," combines social-emotional learning, jazz music, film, and collaborative abstract arts. This unique experience helps students articulate their emotions, develop interpersonal skills, strengthen collaboration, and foster cultural awareness.
Our latest initiative, Jazz Lab™— which was just awarded a prestigious grant to be officially announced on May 28th is a mobile jazz unit that will bring jazz-inspired STEM learning opportunities to at-risk elementary and middle school students on the south and west sides of the city. Through these efforts, we not only preserve the rich legacy of jazz but also equip the next generation with the emotional tools they need to thrive in an increasingly complex world. We are proud to nurture a culture where history, arts, and emotional intelligence intersect, creating a vibrant, empathetic, and culturally enriched community. Thank you, Columbus Landmarks!