James Loeffler

Ohio Jazz: a History of Jazz in the Buckeye State (The History Press) James Loeffler

The history of jazz is largely the story of a few key cities--none in Ohio. As a result, most jazz historians give short shrift to the Buckeye State, regarding it as a go-through rather than a go-to place. However, the fact is that jazz has been practiced in Ohio and with a vengeance. For thirty years, these authors have been researching and documenting the history of music, particularly jazz in Ohio. Their 1999 "Jazz Ohio!" exhibit at the Ohio Historical Society ran for twelve months before portions of it were moved to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The exhibit inspired this book, and much of what you will read here has never before been brought together in one place--and it may well change the way you think about jazz. And Ohio.