The Orlando Jazz Collective was founded on a simple but powerful idea. Orlando deserves a jazz scene that reflects the richness, innovation, and cultural relevance of today’s music.
What began as a vision shared by Jerry Jasmin, Jerry René, and Ricky René has grown into a platform that connects world class artists, local talent, and a community hungry for something deeper than the ordinary concert experience. All three founders were lifelong friends and devoted fans of contemporary jazz, and they recognized something missing in Central Florida. While Orlando had incredible musicians and audiences, there was no true home for forward thinking, culturally rooted jazz to live, grow, and be celebrated.
In 2023, they set out to change that.
The Orlando Jazz Collective was built to be more than a promoter. It was designed as a cultural hub where artists could feel supported, audiences could feel connected, and jazz could be presented with the care and respect it deserves. From the very beginning, the focus was on creating intimate, high quality experiences that allowed the music to breathe and the community to form around it.
That vision quickly took shape. Through curated performances and thoughtful programming, OJC has had the honor of working with some of the most influential voices in modern jazz, including Butcher Brown, Maurice “Mobetta” Brown, Braxton Cook, Theo Croker, and Keyon Harrold. Many of these artists headlined in Orlando for the first time through OJC, helping introduce local audiences to the cutting edge of today’s jazz movement.
As the collective has grown, so has its mission. OJC now serves both as a platform for local musicians and a bridge to the global jazz community. Through concerts and festivals, we work to make jazz accessible, exciting, and culturally relevant for new audiences while honoring the legacy that came before.
Today, the Orlando Jazz Collective stands as proof of what happens when vision, integrity, and community come together. We remain committed to elevating jazz in Orlando, supporting artists at every stage of their journey, and creating experiences that resonate far beyond the stage.
Whether you are a lifelong jazz lover or discovering the music for the first time, we invite you to be part of what we are building. This is more than a series of shows. It is a movement to shape the future of jazz in Orlando and beyond.
Our Unique Events
We curate an unmatched experience by blending our distinctive approach to selecting extraordinary venues with the enchanting ambiance of live jazz, the allure of jazz era cocktails, and the captivating presence of art. This fusion ensures a refined and unforgettable event for all to revel in.
This was a lovely event from the moment you saw the red carpet. I have no suggestions. I can’t wait for your next event.
I was on holiday from the UK when the Braxton Cook gig was on. The whole event was absolutely fantastic. The venue was super, the pre gig drinks tasty and the music absolutely phenomenal. It was one of the highlights of my visit to Orlando.
The evening was just perfect. I cannot wait to come to more events and experience more music with y'all.