For 42 years we’ve used jazz to soothe and unite.

What started off as a weekly music event in the courtyards of Swifton Commons Mall during the months of July and August in 1985 has become the City’s longest running free summer concert series now in its 42nd year. The key to the longevity of this jazz programming is a combination of having the continued support of Fifth Third as the Presenting Sponsor for over 35 years, the quality of the artists on the line-up and the loyal patrons who consider these programs an essential part of joy in the summer. The concerts have been recognized as The Best Shopping Center Promotion, The Second Day Issue location for the Louis Armstrong Stamp and our stages the platform for over 200 Jazz Legends, Grammy Award Winning Artists, and Jazz Masters on both a national and local level. In the past, the names of those artists have been incorporated in the promotional Artwork which is a collectible.  It is common to see patrons wearing t-shirts and carrying handheld fans from 30 years ago.

One of the founders, Carolyn Wallace, for It’s Commonly Jazz, says the most important part of this program is the people who attend.  The patrons are loyal, sophisticated and knowledgeable about Jazz.  They come in all sizes, ages, races, and income levels.  Their common denominator is that they love Jazz and they come together to listen and have created new friendships and connections with people, who share their interest in Jazz. In 2008 It’s Commonly Jazz went green and moved to Seasongood Pavilion in Eden Park; one of the most recognizable and popular of the Cincinnati Parks. This beautiful park is home to the Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and the Krohn Conservatory. The event took on a sustainable approach to their marketing by encouraging carpooling, using public transportation, having dual use for the collateral and teaching patrons during the intermission ways to live in a sustainable way with health, financial and recycling tips.

The Jazz remains the focal part of this event and the artists are legendary! It’s Commonly Jazz is sitting on a sound foundation that’s vibrant and always ready to improvise and keep jazz alive and thriving in the community. In 2025, the baton to orchestrate the event was passed to Alice Frazier our Official Executive Director.  Our ‘jazz family of fans, artists and supporters’ inspired our 2026 theme…Heart and Soul! The jazz family have been why our programming is designed to create access to culture, connections across generations and meaningful opportunites for neighborhoods, small businesses and people to thrive. Join us at an ICJazz live program and become a part of something that has made summers in Cincinnati a special place to be for Jazz on Thursday Nights and around town. We have been jazzing it up and keeping the summer jazz vibe going for 42 Years……Building Community, Keeping Community Connected, Thriving and Having Fun! #CatchSummerJazzVibes #ICJazz2026 #ICJazzLive #SeasongoodJazzSeries #TasteofCincinnati #FinalFridayatFindlay