Our Story

Founded in 2012 by executive director Art Bouton with the mission to perform the best music with the best musicians, the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra does just that and more. Exciting world-renowned guest artists and many of the best regional musicians perform anything from dynamic big band classics to modern large and small ensemble jazz for audiences across Colorado. Jazz enthusiasts at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, PACE Center and Schoolhouse in Parker, Lone Tree Arts Center, Lakewood Cultural Center, Parsons Theatre in Northglenn, and other locations in the region have enjoyed the music of jazz legends including Count Basie, Billie Holiday, Stan Kenton, Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, Maynard Ferguson, Stevie Wonder, and Buddy Rich. New compositions and arrangements by artistic director, Drew Zaremba, CJRO bandmembers, and other contemporary composers continue to elevate the organization's profile and audience attendance. Colorado Jazz Inc. was formed as a 501(c)3 eight years ago and since that time has employed Colorado musicians in concert settings with payroll to date of over $600,000, creating performance and income opportunities that did not exist before. Since 2012, over 27,000 audience members have enjoyed CJRO concerts, beautifully performing this historically significant art form known as jazz.