Dayton’s Great Jazz Musicians

Far Hills Speaker Series explores Dayton's great jazz musicians

Wright Memorial Public Library and the Oakwood Historical Society are proud to host the Far Hills Speaker Series at Wright Library, 1776 Far Hills Ave. in Oakwood. The April 6 program, "Dayton’s Great Jazz Musicians" is presented by Jimmy Leach and begins at 2:00 PM at Wright Library, or register for a virtual link at wrightlibrary.org/events. Seating limited to 80.

Step back to the sweet sounds of jive with many of the great jazz musicians who were born or raised in Dayton, Ohio. Featured musicians include composer Billy Strayhorn, trumpeters Snooky Young and Tim Hagans, guitarist John Scofield, trombonist Booty Wood, singers Ada Lee and Little Miss Cornshucks, saxophonist Bud Shank, tubist/bassist Gene Mayl, and banjoist Dave Greer. Samples of their music will be presented.

Jimmy Leach was raised by musicians in Oklahoma and grew up singing and playing trumpet, piano, organ, and guitar in bands, choirs, orchestras, jazz bands, and churches. He has performed at Disney World, Opryland, Aspen Music Festival, and around the world on Holland American Line ships. He has played with Johnny Mathis, Shirley Jones, T. S. Monk Jr., Mary Wilson, Bernadette Peters, and with John Williams and the Boston Symphony brass and percussion for a Red Sox game in Fenway Park. Jimmy's teaching positions include public schools and colleges in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, North Dakota, Michigan, and even Harvard University where he received three teaching awards as a teaching assistant. In 2008, Jimmy completed a DMA in trumpet performance at Boston University, where his dissertation was on the music of Louis Armstrong. Around Ohio, Jimmy has led his groups in concert at the Levitt Pavilion, Masonic Temple, Wright Memorial Library, David's Church, Dayton Art Institute, St. Paul's in Oakwood, Holy Trinity in Oxford, First Church in Middletown, and Christ Church Cathedral in Cincinnati. Jimmy teaches private piano, trumpet, guitar, organ, and voice at his home in Oakwood. Listen to his album "Jimmy Leach Sings Chet Baker" on most streaming services or YouTube.

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Wright Memorial Public Library

Dayton’s Great Jazz Musicians is taking place at Wright Memorial Public Library, which is located at 1776 Far Hills Avenue in Oakwood. Wright Memorial Public Library - Books are only the beginning at Wright Memorial Public Library. So much to see, so much to do!