CJC CELEBRATES JAZZ APPRECIATION MONTH ON APRIL 19, 2026

In celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month, the Community Jazz Center of Greater Des Moines (CJC) presents four hours of local jazz on Sunday, April 19 at the Turner Jazz Center on the campus of Drake University. The event, which runs from noon to 4 PM will feature the past, present and future of jazz in Des Moines with performances from Drake Jazz Band II, CJC Youth Combo, DSM Young Lions (a group of up and coming players on the scene) and the CJC Big Band (with guest soloists). The full schedule is below.

A donation of $10 for the entire afternoon is suggested with funds going to support the youth programming activities of CJC which include monthly jam sessions, scholarships and more. Concessions will also be available. There will also be a drawing for more than $600 worth of gifts from local jazz venues and record stores. Cash is preferred for donations, concessions and drawing. The Turner Jazz Center is located on the northwest corner of Drake’s Fine Arts Center.

EVENT SCHEDULE:

• Noon to 12:45 PM: Drake Jazz Band II, under the direction of Wayne Page
• 1:00 to 1:45 PM: CJC Youth Combo, featuring area high school musicians who participate in CJC’s monthly jam sessions
• 2:00 to 2:45 PM: DSM Young Lions, featuring up and coming jazz artists on the Des Moines scene
• 3:00 to 4:00 PM: The CJC Big Band, featuring guest soloists from the Des Moines jazz community 

​For more information about the organization or the event, visit cjc-dsm.org or contact CJC executive director Abe Goldstien at 515-279-6452 or via email at [email protected].

​* Turner Jazz Center is located on the north end of the Harmon Fine Arts Center on 25th St. between Carpenter and Forest. The main door is situated by the orange sculpture. A parking lot is located on the east side of 25th St.