A Bittersweet Symphony: Passing the Baton at the Columbus Jazz Society

By Miguel Juarez

Mabuhay! (Live On!) What a fitting salutation as we gather here, not just to read words on a page, but to celebrate the enduring spirit of jazz and community which thrives right here in Columbus. On behalf of the entire Columbus Jazz Society, it fills my heart to once again extend our warmest congratulations to our brilliant 2025 CJS Scholarship Winners: the incredibly talented Maximillano Diaz, Jackson Laird, and Walter Taff. These young musicians represent the vibrant future of jazz, and knowing the passion and dedication they bring to their craft, the future sounds bright.

Speaking of bright futures, let’s talk about Jackson Laird. In just a few short months, he’s set to release his jazz album, “Up Time.” And get this – it features seven original tracks, with the talented Walter Taff contributing his artistry as well. Can you feel the buzz? We here at the CJS, along with the entire city of Columbus, can’t wait to throw our full support behind their project. This is why we do what we do.

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Now, if you’re out there, dear reader, actually taking the time to journey through these words with me, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Seriously. In an age of fleeting attention, your choice to spend a few moments with my musings means the world. It’s been a privilege to share my perspective, my passion for jazz, and a piece of my own journey with you. And for that, I cannot thank Monica Jones and The Local enough for entrusting me with this incredible opportunity.

As you may have already sensed, there’s a bittersweet note in this particular column, as this will be my final article with The Local. While I’ve cherished every moment of sharing my first-person point of view on the vibrant jazz scene here in Columbus over the past two years, it’s time for me to shift my focus closer to home, prioritizing my health and family. As president of the Columbus Jazz Society, it has truly been an honor to serve alongside our immensely talented music and arts family. My term is set to conclude in September, and I can say with absolute conviction that my successor is the perfect candidate to not just lead, but to truly elevate the CJS to whole new levels of service.

It is with immense pride and excitement that I announce that Arreasha “Z” Lawrence has accepted the role of Interim President of the Columbus Jazz Society. Her background in finance, her undeniable leadership skills, and her remarkable networking capabilities fit this job perfectly. There is no doubt in my mind that her vision and drive will herald even better things ahead for the CJS and for jazz in Columbus.

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It feels like just yesterday, yet also a lifetime ago, when I stepped into the role of vice president in 2022, then as president starting September 2023. In that relatively short span, something truly magical happened. We, as a collective, worked tirelessly to empower the resurgence of not just the Columbus Jazz Society, but our entire local music scene. We rekindled connections with local businesses, organizations, and our community, forging vital partnerships all aimed at one crucial goal: keeping live music alive and thriving.

Think back with me for a moment to all we’ve accomplished together. We’ve hosted countless workshops and classes, nurturing budding talent and seasoned musicians alike. Our jam sessions have been legendary, filled with impromptu brilliance and shared musical joy. We’ve brought the magic of jazz to our local schools and outreach programs, sowing seeds of appreciation for music and the arts in young minds. And let’s not forget the dazzling return of the annual CJS Soiree, a gala event that celebrates our very own local jazz giants with a grand presentation of the Jazz Legend Awards. We also proudly launched the Columbus Guitar Celebration, a spectacular showcase featuring some of the area’s best guitarists.

And perhaps most profoundly, we were able to restart the CJS Scholarships, a program so vital in assisting our high school and college students on their musical journeys. It has truly been my privilege to get to know so many of you, to share stories, and to simply be able to share the incredible gift of music with one another. While my time at the helm is drawing to a close, rest assured, I will continue to serve as a CJS board member, and I look forward to many more years of jazz and live music to come. The melody continues, and I can’t wait to hear the next chapter with all of you.