By Christy Jensen

October 4, 2007 | LOGAN-- Jazz has long been associated with smoky bars and liquored musicians, but students of the Utah State University Chapter of International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE) are changing that.

Since spring semester of 2007, students and faculty of USU have been sponsoring Jazz Night at Citrus & Sage, a coffeehouse and popular venue for shows in downtown Logan. With a staple house band, Jazz Night has provided both music for the community and training for aspiring jazz musicians in college and high school.

Dr. Jon Gudmundson, assistant professor of jazz studies at USU, said, "Jazz Night started out as a monthly jam session that featured guest jazz artists, but changed after guest artist Matt Johnson said, 'Hey man, this should be a regular thing because it's cool.' So Matt and I got it together with the owner of Citrus & Sage, Nancy Wimmer, and decided we would play every other Thursday."

According to Gudmundson, the main idea behind having Jazz Night was to have a place where young people can sit in and play jazz. Gudmundson described Citrus & Sage as being a "welcoming place that is relaxing, where you can play jazz and not walk out smelling like an ashtray."

Thursday nights have been good for jazz, but the desire from the community for more nights came this summer when Saturday night jazz was introduced, giving everyone the chance to hear jazz on the patio of Citrus & Sage. The students of IAJE have also dedicated to bring in a guest artist from outside Cache Valley the last Wednesday night of every month.

Jazz Night not only offers a place to relax but a place where people of all ages can come and listen to music. With a fully stocked coffee, tea, and hot chocolate bar, Citrus & Sage is a premium location to hear good music.

JAZZ MAN: Anthony Aronovici, above, and a drummer stretch out at Jazz Night.