Support "Toledo’s Jazz Legacy"

Toledo’s Jazz Legacy by Douglas Swiatecki dives into the city’s rise as a jazz hub, from its vaudeville roots to the birth of jazz in 1917. This book spotlights legends like Art Tatum and Jon Hendricks, along with many other local performers—some familiar, some long-forgotten. Clubs and venues that shaped the scene take center stage, from the swing-era Trianon to Rusty’s Jazz Café. Prohibition, gangsters, and Toledo’s “wide open” reputation add to the rich history. Later jazz greats like Clifford Murphy, Claude Black, and Larry Fuller get their due, as does the Cakewalkin’ Jass Band and its founder, Ray Heitger. And that’s just the beginning—there’s much more to uncover inside.

To help fund the publication of Toledo’s Jazz Legacy, the Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts has agreed to act as a fiscal agent for Swiatecki's efforts to raise money for a subvention. You can make a gift using the form below or by mailing a check to:

TAPA (Attn: Toledo’s Jazz Legacy)
4747 Heatherdowns Blvd.
Toledo, OH 43614