On Friday, May 1, the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra will perform a jazz-infused version of the seminal music festival: Woodstock. For its final concert of the season, the CJO will lead Clevelanders on a magical, mystery tour of Woodstock classics. Jazz greatly influenced many of the musicians synonymous with the music festival that set the bar for decades to come.

The evening at the Maltz Performing Arts Center features the full CJO brass band reinterpreting Santana, Sly Stone, Jimi Hendrix, and Credence Clear Water Revival. Arrangements by Artistic Director Paul Ferguson will feature solos by trumpeters Jack Schantz and Scott McKee; trombonist Chris Anderson; saxophonists Brad Wagner and Chris Burge. Local luminaries Jackie Warren, Aidan Plank, Dan Bruce, and Dustin May will round out the percussion section.

Joining the CJO is Clevelander and Tony Award® Nominee Mary Bridget Davies. Davies received  rave reviews and a Tony nomination for her tribute to Janis Joplin, “A Night with Janis Joplin”.  The CJO is proud to accompany her on such songs as, “Piece of My Heart” and “Try a Little  Harder”. Ferguson will also arrange the jazz accompaniments for the Joplin selections. “Mary  Bridget Davies sang with the CJO about 8 years ago at a private party and she was outstanding.  I’ve been wanting to do a concert like this for several years—it connects beautifully with the  many styles of jazz we try to cover with the CJO.” 

The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra regularly premieres new jazz compositions at its concerts. This  final concert of the 25-26 season will include a work by bassist Aidan Plank. “The name of my  new piece is ‘Billy’,” Plank offered, “is a tribute to Billy Strayhorn. This will be the first time the  CJO has performed the work, and the piece is featured on my upcoming album “Where We  Started” which will be released on Hidden Cinema Records on April 24, 2026.” 

The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra is Northeast Ohio’s premier jazz voice since 1985. Through  inventive arrangements and original music, the CJO brings audiences the best jazz they’ve ever  heard and the best jazz they’ve never heard. We are celebrating our 41st season.  

For more information please contact Theresa Lesh, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra Managing Director.  To purchase tickets contact the Maltz Performing Arts Center box office or visit:  https://bit.ly/CJO2526Woodstock.