Thirteen years ago, Claude and Doris Ligon were hit with an idea. Claude Ligon loved jazz and Doris Ligon loved to enrich. Most knew of her African Art Museum of Maryland, a treasure in and of itself, nestled in the famed Historic Oakland. To follow both passions, they decided they would bring jazz to the people of Columbia by way of live performances showcasing local and regional talent. These events were spirited by the Ligons’ desire to provide opportunities to jazz artists who played jazz out of an allegiance to a vanishing art form. Thus was born, The Baltimore Washington JAZZfest (BWJF) House of JAZZ (HOJ).