T O N Y H A G O O D
Tony Hagood's Jazz at CMA
2026-2027 Season
Tony Hagood curates, directs, and performs in the long-running Jazz at CMA series, which he brought back in 2021, following in the footsteps of his late teacher, Mark Flugge, and his late Otterbein colleague, Richard Lopez.
Tony’s connection to the series dates back to its earliest years. As Mark was getting it started, Tony helped him sell CDs and then stayed to listen to and enjoy each concert. Years later, Tony returned to the series as a performer, stepping in for Richard for one of his concerts.
Today, Tony is honored to carry their legacy forward while continuing to grow the series in exciting new directions. Every concert of the 2025–26 season sold out—join us for what promises to be another unforgettable season at the Columbus Museum of Art in 2026–27!
October 4th, 2026, 2pm
Tony Hagood Trio and Friends Debut Album Release Concert
Celebrate a major career milestone as pianist, arranger, and bandleader Tony Hagood releases his highly anticipated debut album of jazz standards. For this special concert, the Tony Hagood Trio will be joined by several of the featured musicians and collaborators who helped bring the recording to life, along with the Columbus-based choir Capriccio Columbus.
Built around timeless songs that have shaped Tony’s musical life, the album approaches the jazz-standard tradition with bold reinterpretations, colorful ensemble writing, lyrical solos, and an infectious sense of swing. Each selection honors the music’s history while reflecting the distinctive voice Tony has developed through years of performing, arranging, contributing to other artists’ recordings, appearing with numerous orchestras, and collaborating with Grammy Award-winning artists, Broadway stars, and musicians nationally and internationally.
The celebration culminates in Tony’s expansive arrangement of “What a Wonderful World,” featuring Capriccio Columbus. Recorded with the choir at Tony’s alma mater, Capital University Conservatory of Music, the piece became a powerful full-circle moment in the album’s journey.
Join the Tony Hagood Trio and friends for an unforgettable afternoon of musical storytelling, spontaneous collaboration, and fresh interpretations of enduring songs as they celebrate a remarkable recording journey—and the release of Tony’s debut album. Copies of the album will be available for purchase during intermission and following the concert.
December 19th and 20th, 2026, 2pm
The 6th Annual Tony Hagood Quintet Plays Jazz Holiday Standards
Back by popular demand for its sixth year, the Tony Hagood Quintet returns to fill the season with swing, sparkle, and soul! Last year’s performance sold out for the fourth consecutive year, so be sure to reserve your tickets early and make this festive afternoon part of your holiday tradition. In response to the overwhelming demand of previous years, a second performance has been added for the first time—join us Saturday, Sunday, or both!
This beloved concert features timeless holiday favorites reimagined through fresh arrangements and imaginative jazz artistry. Expect elegant takes on classics associated with Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and Duke Ellington, alongside arrangements and musical inspiration drawn from Vulfpeck, PJ Morton, Vernon Porter, Harry Connick Jr., Wynton Marsalis, Samara Joy, Kurt Elling, Aubrey Logan, Jamie Cullum, and more.
Whether you are a devoted jazz aficionado or simply love the magic of the holidays, this concert offers something for everyone: nostalgia, warmth, joyful surprises, and dazzling musicianship. Join us for one of Columbus’s favorite jazz holiday traditions!
February 14th, 2027, 2pm
Paris, with Love A Jazz Valentine's Day Django and Grappelli Celebration
After becoming one of the fastest-selling concerts in the Tony Hagood Jazz at CMA series and selling out well in advance last season, this audience-favorite celebration of Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli returns with a romantic Valentine’s Day twist—and a largely new program created especially for this performance.
Spend Valentine’s Day in Paris—without leaving Columbus—as the Tony Hagood Quartet brings to life the unforgettable music of Reinhardt and Grappelli, founders of the legendary Quintette du Hot Club de France.
Inspired by the cafés and dance halls of 1930s Paris, this lively celebration of Jazz Manouche pairs romantic melodies with acoustic fire, dazzling improvisation, and irresistible swing. Alongside a few returning favorites, audiences can expect fresh selections, new arrangements, tender ballads, French classics, exhilarating solos, and toe-tapping rhythms—all capturing the elegance and excitement that have made this music beloved around the world.
Whether you are celebrating with someone special, gathering with friends, or looking for a stylish prelude to the evening’s big game, join us for an afternoon filled with romance, virtuosity, and plenty of Parisian swing.
May 10th, 2027, 2pm
Mother’s Day Mélange Jazz with Strings Attached — From Rachmaninoff to Gershwin to Radiohead
Following last year’s sold-out performance—one of the most talked-about concerts in the Tony Hagood Jazz at CMA series—Mother’s Day Mélange returns with an entirely refreshed program spanning classical music, jazz, soul, and popular song.
In this distinctive collaboration, Tony Hagood’s jazz quartet pairs with his more classically rooted string quartet to explore what happens when the freedom and spontaneity of jazz meet the warmth, color, and expressive power of strings.
True to its name, Mother’s Day Mélange brings together an eclectic collection of music spanning generations and genres—from the Romantic lyricism of Rachmaninoff and the unmistakable energy of George Gershwin to the atmospheric music of Radiohead and other unexpected favorites. Each selection is a genre-crossing collaboration through original arrangements that allow jazz quartet and strings to converse, improvise, and transform familiar music in surprising ways.
With soaring melodies, intimate musical exchanges, rich orchestral textures, and moments of unforgettable moments that can happen only in live performance, this concert offers a vibrant and heartfelt way to celebrate the beauty of music—and the people we love.