Chautauqua Jazz Week Experience
The Chautauqua Jazz Week Experience is a new program inspired by the musical art form of Jazz. Featuring artists-in-residence and guest musicians, this week includes a series of opportunities for music students, educators and enthusiasts to celebrate Jazz through participation at workshops, sessions, lectures, concerts and interactive performances.

Exploring the music from its roots through its influence in today’s modern genres, students of all ages and the community will explore the impact of this art form, its legends and innovators, hallmark recordings and compositions, and its everlasting cultural exchanges on the world stage.

The Chautauqua Jazz Week Experience hopes to engage new audiences and renew music enthusiasts in a deep appreciation of our nation’s African American musical heritage that has inspired history, developed artists and musicians from all walks of life, made contributions and influences in genres that define the 20th century and beyond, and enriched a global impact of unity and cultural exchange.

The Chautauqua Jazz Week Experience is made possible by the Ohio Arts Council’s 2022 Arts Resiliency Initiative Community Grant. The Ohio Arts Council is funded in part by state tax dollars allocated by the Ohio Legislature. The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally and economically.
Register for Special Jazz Workshops by June 10
Register for special all-day workshops with the artists-in-residence to explore the music and its cultural and soulful side of playing and singing it. Perfect for musicians of all ages. Workshops are taught on the stage of Hoover Auditorium and feature masterclasses, educational jazz sessions, play-a-longs and more.

Blues Workshop | Monday, June 13, 1:30-5 p.m. | $35
Learn how to use the Blues progression in your playing, apply different patterns and blues melodies, and improvise using various techniques in harmony, melodies, and grooves. Through a series of breakout sessions, large group demonstrations, a masterclass, and a jam session, participants will develop their craft in playing the Blues in various styles, understand the human voice as a vehicle of interpretation, explore legendary Blues artists and their recordings, and more. Register now!
Improvisation Workshop | Tuesday, June 14, 1:30-5 p.m. | $35
Learn how to approach playing over basic and more advanced chord progressions, use various scales and melodic concepts, and how and what to listen for in playing as a soloist and with a group. Through a series of breakout sessions, large group demonstrations, a masterclass, and a jam session, participants will develop their skills in improvisation, understanding the human voice as a vehicle of interpretation, explore legendary artists and their recordings, and more. Register now! 
Jazz/Pop Styles Workshop | Wednesday, June 15, 1:30-5 p.m. | $35
For players of all levels, this workshop covers playing various genres including swing, Latin, ballad, and funk. Learn how to use the genres to interpret melodic lines, improvisation, and more. A culmination of concepts discussed from previous sessions will be incorporated. Through a series of breakout sessions, large group demonstrations, a master class, and a jam session, participants will develop their skills in playing jazz-based styles, explore legendary artists and their recordings, and more. Register now! 
Jazz Singers Vocal Workshop | Thursday, June 16, 1:30-3:30 p.m. | $35
Join Evelyn Wright and Michael Shirtz for a workshop and masterclass on singing Jazz and American Pop music in Orchestra Hall. Open to singers of all levels. Learn how to use the lyrics, melodies, and harmony to interpret your vocal performance. Singers attending the workshop are encouraged to have a prepared vocal selection to sing during the masterclass session. Register now!
Workshop Registration
Registration for the four Special Workshops listed above is $35 per workshop, limited space available. Register by Friday, June 10. School groups and groups larger than 5 should call the Programming Office at
at (419) 798-4461, ext. 259 for special registration rates.

Registration includes participation in chosen workshop(s), admission to the Lakeside Chautauqua grounds, and parking in the South Gate Parking Lot for the chosen day(s). Take the complimentary golf cart shuttle from the Welcome Center to Hoover Auditorium or Orchestra Hall.

Please note: the Jazz Concerts, Special Evening Features, Chautauqua Lecture Series, and other performances are open to the Lakeside community and included in the cost of a Daily, Weekly or Season Chautauqua Pass. See full list of opportunities. Only the all-day Special Workshops listed above require paid registration.
Additional Opportunities for ALL Lakesiders
Join us in Bettinger Park for an evening of good music. Grammy nominee and jazz legend Bobby Floyd returns to Lakeside Chautauqua to perform with his band, featuring Derek DiCenzo on bass and guitar and Reggie Jackson on drums.
Honoring the famous ‘Jazz at the Philharmonic’ series, join Sam Blakeslee as he leads a night of jazz featuring Chris Coles, Dwight Bailey, Jerry Powell, Evelyn Wright, Jackie Warren, Michael Shirtz, Charles Saenz and other special guests.
Join us for 3 performances on the stage of Hoover celebrating jazz legends Dave Brubeck, Charlie Parker, and jazz drummers. Audiences will sit on stage with the musicians as they share the music and stories of jazz legends.
Lakeside Chautauqua is pleased to welcome Rev. Mike McCormick to lead the 10:30 a.m. Chautauqua Community Worship Service on Sunday, June 12. Featuring music and the spoken Word, Michael Shirtz and guest artists of the Chautauqua Jazz Week Experience will provide musical leadership during the service, while the liturgy is led by the Rev. Dr. Charles Yoost, Senior Director of Religious Life & Pastoral Care.
Welcoming artists-in-residence and guest artists to Lakeside, this week celebrates Jazz through participation and attendance at workshops, lectures, concerts, and interactive performances.
Perfect for families and Lakesiders of all ages, join drummer Jerry Powell, leader of one of Ohio's largest drum lines, for fun with drums and percussion. Stop down during your lunch times and jam out with Jerry.
Join us for Trivia Night! This week's theme is specific to jazz, blues and R&B. Gather your family and friends, grab your favorite food, and rack your brain with fun facts, laughter and more. Compete for prizes and bragging rights.
Overnight Accommodations
For individuals traveling from out of town, overnight accommodations can be made at historic Hotel Lakeside or the Fountain Inn in Lakeside. Rooms start at $109. To make a reservation, visit lakesideohio.com/accommodations. 
Save the date for MORE Music Workshops!
Lakeside Chautauqua