Oberlin College celebrates the grand opening of its new jazz music building

OBERLIN, Ohio - A special grand opening celebration is taking place at Oberlin College in Lorain County on Friday and Saturday.

On Friday night, performers Stevie Wonder and Bill Cosby joined Oberlin Conservatory alumni, faculty and students in the grand opening celebration for the $24 million Kohl Building at Oberlin College.

The Bertram and Judith Kohl Building is the Conservatory of Music's new home for jazz studies, music history and music theory.  The facility boasts a recording studio, classroom and office space. 

The project has been underway since July 2008.  The 37,000-square-foot building has already won three awards from the American Institute of Architects.

"This is going to be a really cool hangout spot in addition to all the practice spaces and performance spaces that it has within it," said Oberlin student Emma Rowen.

"Lorain County isn't exactly known as a cultural center of Ohio, but with Oberlin it is.   It really has a lot of...it's added a lot to the community," said resident Barb Brown.

Bill Cosby and his wife Camille along with Stevie Wonder received honorary degrees at Friday's event.