Indy Jazz Fest - September 27-30 And Sunset Series Pre-Fest Shows

Presenting modern masters and new jazz stars while celebrating

Indy’s rich jazz legacy at some of the best venues in Indianapolis!
Blending the best of outdoor and indoor venues with the Grand Finale at TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park!

Schedule:

Sunset Series Pre-Fest Shows

September 18 - 19, 2023

Veronica Swift Celebrated Jazz Vocalist

Music Start -7:00pm

A Jazz Lioness With A Pure Tone, Large Lungs, A Knowing Sense Of Repertoire, And Sure Swing Style.” - Jazztimes

“She Has A Miraculous Voice, Musical Ability And Technique, As Well As An Innate Gift For Entertaining A Crowd.” - Wall Street Journal

Cost: $25.00 - $75.00

Venue: The Cabaret - 924 North Pennsylvania Street Indianapolis, IN 46204

Buy Ticket

September  20, 2023

Christian Sands 5x  Grammy Nominated Pianist

Music Start -6:00pm and 8:30pm

His Abundant Piano Technique Perfectly Matches His Conception, Accomplishing A Much Deeper Musical Goal: A Fresh Look At The Entire Language Of Jazz.  Christian Says, “My Music Is About Teaching The Way Of Jazz And Keeping It Alive.”  Whether It’s Stride, Swing, Bebop, Progressive, Fusion, Brazilian Or Afro-Cuban, Sands Develops The Past While Providing Unusual And Stimulating Vehicles For The Present… And For The Future.  He Expresses Himself Through An Extensive Vocabulary Of Patterns, Textures And Structures, All The While Maintaining A Strong Sense Of Understatement, Sensitivity, Taste And Swing — Hallmarks For As Long As He Has Been Playing.

Cost: $30 - $45

Venue: The Jazz Kitchen - 5377 North College Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46220

Buy Ticket

September 21, 2023

Pedrito Martinez Afro-Cuban Conguero

Music Start -6:30pm

Pedrito Martinez…Is A Source Of Rhythmic Delight And Inspiration… An Incomparable Performer… A Traditional Afro-Cuban Music Superstar – The New York Times

Since Settling In New York City In The Fall Of 1998, Pedrito Has Recorded Or Performed With, Paul Simon, Wynton Marsalis, Paquito D’rivera, Bruce Springsteen, Ruben Blades, Eddie Palmieri, Dave Matthews, And Sting, And Has Contributed To Over 75 Albums.

A Consummate Master Of Afro-Cuban Folkloric Music And The Batá Drum He Is Also The World’s First-Call Rumbero—Playing,Singing, And Dancing With Dozens Of Cuban Rumba Groups.

Cost: $25 - $40

Venue: The Jazz Kitchen - 5377 North College Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46220

Buy Ticket

September 23, 2023

Indy Jazz Fest-Kick Off Naptown Sound

An unforgettable evening featuring an extensive mix of notable Indianapolis jazz performers. The ultimate jazz hang and all-star cocktail affair. Mingle, listen, and support Indy Jazz Fest while enjoying this VIP experience, including live music, passed, and stationed hors d’oeuvres.

Performers

- Indianapolis Jazz Collective featuring Amanda King, Steve - Allee & Rob Dixon

- The Tucker Brothers

- Pavel & DC

- From the 317 featuring vocalists Goldie & Bashiri Asad

- VocalEase Jazz Set featuring Brenda Williams, Rebecca Rafla, Wendy Reed, and Sandy Lomax

Venue: The Jazz Kitchen - 5377 North College Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46220

Buy Ticket

September 24, 2023

Lizz Wright Holding Space

Music Start - 7:0pm

“A Singer Of Uncommon Openness And Direct Emotional Appeal.” - New York Times

Through An Inimitable Voice That The New York Times Touts As, “A Smooth, Dark Alto Possessed Of Qualities You Might Associate With Barrel-Aged Bourbon Or Butter-Soft Leather,” Lizz Wright Draws On Her Southern Heritage To Craft A Unique Sound That Incorporates Jazz, Folk, Gospel, And R&B.

Cost: $65.00

Venue: The Cabaret - 924 North Pennsylvania Street Indianapolis, IN 46204

Buy Ticket

Andrew Danforth New Sounds - Cd Release

Music Start - 7:0pm

As A Composer And Improviser, Andrew Blends Traditional Naptown Hard Bop With Elements Of Midwest Emo, European Art Music And Rnb. He Seeks To Pay Homage To The Long Legacy Of Creative Music In Indianapolis By Writing Innovative Compositions And Pushing The Boundaries Of Contemporary Jazz.

Cost:  $20 - $30

Venue: The Jazz Kitchen - 5377 North College Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46220

Buy Ticket

September 29, 2023

Bashiri Asad Cd Release Concerts

Music Start - 7:00pm and 10:00pm

He Laughs. He Cries. He Loves. He Dreams. Just Like You, Everyday. He Feels Deeply, And Turns His Feelings Into Music. Soul Music. Music That Says Exactly How You Feel, Everyday.

Bashiri Asad Is The “Everyday Soul Singer", And He Will Remind You That Feeling What You Feel, In Your Soul, Is Just Fine.

Hailing From Indianapolis, Bashiri Asad Has Come To Define His Sound As “Indy-Soul”. From Shoo-Wop Style Singing Groups And Classical Vocal Training, To Performances Local And Abroad, His Various Experiences Have Shaped His Voice Into The Soul-Stirring Entity It Is Known As Today. Echoes Of The Influences Of Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Sam Cooke, And Otis Redding Weave Through His Presentation, But His Sound Is Unmistakably His Own.

Cost: $30 - $40

Venue: 5377 North College Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46220

Buy Ticket

Indy Jazz Fest - September 27-30

September 27, 2023

Russell Malone And Indy Jazz Collective

Music Start - 6:30pm and 9:00pm

Tribute To Wes Montgomery And Celebrating #Wesat100. A Natural Pick For This Historic Project , Malone Was Influenced By Wes Montgomery, Bb King And George Benson, Malone In Addition To Being A Prolific Solo Performer, Has Graced The Stages With The Likes Of Jimmy Smith, Harry Connick, Jr, Diana Krall And Many More.

Joining Malone Is A Band Of Indianapolis All-Stars Known For Their Special Presentations Celebrating Jazz’ Foremost Innovators.

- Russell Malone - Guitar
- Rob Dixon - Saxes
- Steve Allee - Piano
- Kenny Phelps - Drums
- George Delancey - Bass

Special Remarks By Wes’ Son  Robert Montgomery, Plus Wes Montgomery Documentary “Wesbound” Outtakes.

Cost: $35 - $50

Venue: The Jazz Kitchen - 5377 North College Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46220

Buy Ticket

September 28, 2023

Superblue Kurt Elling And Charlie Hunter

Music Start - 7:00pm and 9:30pm

2x Grammy-Winning Jazz Vocalist Kurt Elling Paired W/7-String Guitar Funk & Groove Master Charlie Hunter

Elling Joins Forces With Producer/Guitarist Charlie Hunter And Multi-Instrumentalist Duo Drummer Corey Fonville And Bassist-Keyboardist Dj Harrison For A Kaleidoscopic Collection Of New Songs, Surprising Covers, And Dynamic Reinventions.

Cost: $35 – $75

Venue: The Cabaret - 924 North Pennsylvania Street Indianapolis, IN 46204

Buy Ticket

September 29, 2023

Pat Metheny Solo The Dream Box Tour

Music Start - 8:00pm

20-Time Grammy Award-Winning Composer And Guitarist Performs On Stage With Multiple Guitars Composing In The Moment.

Cost: $50

Venue: Clowes Memorial Hall - 4602 Sunset Ave Indianapolis, IN 46208

Buy Ticket

September 30, 2023

Indy Jazz Fest 2023 Grand Finale

- Gates open at 3 p.m.

- Music starts at 4 p.m.

Contemporary, smooth jazz saxophone superstar SHEILA E & THE E-TRAIN

The Queen of Percussion Latin GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award Winner  Collaborator with Prince, Ringo Starr, George Duke and Marvin Gaye

NEA Jazz Master, four-time GRAMMY Award winner, and jazz-fusion bass legend  Original member of Return to Forever
INDY JAZZ FEST LEGACY BAND - Looking Back Looking Forward
An exciting blend of the Indianapolis Jazz Collective and IJF’s signature project “From the 317” led by Indianapolis saxophone star Rob Dixon. Expect a collection of tunes celebrating Indy’s vast jazz legacy and how the timeline continues. Featuring special guests Amanda King, Goldie Ingram, Bashiri Asad and saxophonist Bryan Thompson

Venue: TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park, 801 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Buy Ticket

Date: September 18 - 30, 2023

Click here for more Information