From TOLEDO ALLIANCE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
The Toledo Jazz Orchestra (TJO) and Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA) have announced a formal merger, effective immediately. The two organizations have been working under a strategic partnership since 2022. In this new agreement, TJO officially joins TAPA as its third musical member. Alain Trudel will continue to serve as TJO Artistic Director, as he has for the past two seasons.
TAPA was established in 2019 upon the historic merger of the Toledo Symphony and Toledo Ballet. Since then, both constituent organizations have grown dramatically in ticket revenue, charitable contributions, educational offerings, and overall visibility across the region. For the past two years, TAPA and TJO have operated under a shared services agreement, where TAPA has provided TJO with administrative support. This has included fundraising, box office, marketing, and production personnel.
“I approached Zak Vassar about this four years ago, and we have carefully forged a solid bond,” says Scott Potter, TJO Board President. “The TJO has never had any paid administrative staff, so merging with TAPA gives immediate growth opportunities in many ways. To borrow a musical phrase: this is a great progression!”
By naming Alain Trudel its Artistic Director in 2022, the two organizations have connected on artistic matters, too. Mr. Trudel also serves as Music Director of the Toledo Symphony. “It has been a joy to make music with my colleagues in the jazz orchestra,” says Trudel. “Over the past two seasons, I think we have hit great heights and honored this truly American art form. This music holds a special place in my heart, as both my parents were jazz musicians. I welcome my friends in the TJO to TAPA very sincerely. I am excited for our future together.”
Since the strategic partnership began, TJO has seen a 50% increase in attendance and a 160% increase in contributed revenue. This includes record-setting audiences for TJO’s annual holiday concert, a performance with legendary saxophonist Branford Marsalis, and the inauguration of the Hartmann Bogan Jazz Series. “This merger is really a proof of concept,” says Zak Vassar, TAPA’s President & CEO. “When we created TAPA, we wanted to build a solid foundation so that these amazingly creative and dynamic organizations could thrive. Since then, we’ve made the Toledo Symphony and Toledo Ballet stronger. And along the way, we got to do amazing work with our friends at the TJO, too. In the end, it’s our community that wins.”
In January, TAPA announced the purchase and planned renovation of the former Masonic Temple on Heatherdowns Blvd. That space will provide rehearsal space for the Toledo Symphony and Toledo Ballet as well as room for TAPA’s educational programs, which include a music school, three youth orchestras, and a dance school. It will also provide room to grow. “The timing of this merger and our building project couldn’t be more ideal,” says Steve Cavanaugh, TAPA’s Board Chair. “In addition to programming for our core operations at the Symphony and Ballet, we’ve been able to imagine space for the TJO to do big band concerts and small ensemble performances. Looking out to the future, we envision offering jazz classes and even a junior jazz band. As far as I’m concerned, sky’s the limit.”
The organizations received initial funding from the Strategic Alliance Partnership program at the Greater Toledo Community Foundation (GTCF). This enabled TAPA to perform services for the TJO but for TJO to remain independent and maintain control of its revenues. “The Strategic Alliance Partnership grants program aims to be a catalyst for non-profit collaborations,” says Keith Burwell, President of the GTCF. “The formation of TAPA was an SAP success story several years ago, and I applaud the marriage between TAPA and TJO as the next chapter in an important and valuable story for our community.”
As part of this merger, all current TJO board members and emeritus trustees will be invited to join TAPA’s board. Scott Potter will become a member of TAPA’s Executive Committee. The TJO’s financial assets will be combined into a new endowment fund, which will be dedicated to supporting TJO initiatives. The TJO recently celebrated its 42nd anniversary. It has a remarkable history of presenting the best names in jazz to a local audience. It presents five big band performances each year as well as smaller ensembles, which perform around Toledo. Its next performance is July 11 as the opening concert of the popular Jazz in the Garden series at the Toledo Botanical Garden.
TAPA and TJO recently announced performances in the 2024-2025 Hartmann Bogan Jazz Series. This includes five big band performances, three of which Trudel will lead: a celebration of the Music of Stan Kenton (November 2), A Very Jazzy Christmas featuring April Varner (December 21), The Artistry of Jon Hendricks featuring Kim Buehler (February 1), a re-creation of the Miles Davis/Gil Evans Porgy & Bess Album (March 15), and An Evening with John Pizzarelli (April 12).
“I support the TJO because it shines light on wonderful music that fills the soul,” says Donna Bogan, Principal of Hartmann Bogan Financial Planning, title sponsor of the TJO Jazz Series. “Adding the TJO to TAPA is a win-win for all because jazz evokes emotions like joy, freedom, hope, and triumph. It’s hard to resist the syncopated rhythms and improvisations of these fantastic musicians.”
“TAPA is moving into a new lane right now,” says Zak Vassar. “Find me another organization in the country that combines a symphony, a ballet, a jazz orchestra, and a world-class facility for performances, rehearsals, and education. It’s a really exciting time.”
