Chaka Khan, a 10-time Grammy Award winner, will be one of the headliners of the Indy Jazz Fest Grand Finale on Sept. 28 at Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park. The Indy Jazz Fest runs from Tuesday to Sept. 28, with performances by international stars, regional talents and local up-and-comers.
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The contrasts swirl around the annual Indy Jazz Fest.
Delicate piano and crooning vocals are met with bombastic horns and rumbling bass. Intimate concerts in dimly lit clubs are countered by amphitheater shows in front of thousands of fans. Up-and-c0ming talents in all genres are joined by some of the titans of the world of jazz.
The juxtaposition is what gives the festival its flavor.
“There’s a big variety of styles under the jazz umbrella, so this allows us to get a little bit more of a snapshot of what jazz is,” said David Allee, festival director of the Indy Jazz Fest. “There’s some of what we do that’s more of a big production, and some of what we do that’s a little more artistic. It gives us the flexibility to show a lot of different styles.”
The Indy Jazz Fest returns with 12 days of soaring, scorching, improvisational music. Headlined by legends such as Chaka Khan, Marcus Miller and Michael Franks, the event features a lineup of international stars, modern masters and Indy-based artists.
From Sept. 17 to 28, music fans can catch concerts all over the Indianapolis area, part of the festival’s “All Around Town” concept.
The festivities draw to a close with its grand finale — a behemoth show at Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park.
“Leading up to it, there will be some things that are little bit more for the jazz listener, who is a little more tuned in. But then with Chaka Khan and Marcus Miller and Michael Franks and Steve Allee on that final day, it’s a celebration. You’re going to know who they are, there’s a little more star power,” Allee said. “It’s just a great way to wrap up a couple weeks of great shows.”
Since it was founded in 1999, the Indy Jazz Fest has been dedicated to promoting jazz and music education throughout central Indiana. Indianapolis has its own noteworthy jazz heritage, dating back to when the Indiana Avenue neighborhood served as an incubator of great musicians on the same level of Chicago, St. Louis and New Orleans.
Icons such as Cole Porter, Hoagy Carmichael, J.J. Johnson, Freddie Hubbard and Wes Montgomery all helped shape the Indy jazz scene.
The festival is a celebration of that heritage, in addition to helping support jazz education programs in local schools and youth outreach events throughout the year through the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation.
Over its history, the festival has been presented in a variety of different formats: a 10-day series of concerts all over the city, a block-party celebration, even virtual shows held during the pandemic.
After hosting the festival at Garfield Park in 2021 and 2022, organizers created a model to blend the best of indoor and outdoor venues for last year’s festival. The format was a hit, and it came back for a reprise.
Everything gets going with the Sunset Series — nighttime concerts in intimate jazz and cabaret venues featuring world-class jazz performers and an up-close listening experience.
Concertgoers can check out Kandance Springs, a jazz/soul diva described as having “a voice that could melt snow” by none other than Prince, one night before hitting a show by Bria Skonberg, a Juno Award-winning artist and a recipient of the Legend Award by the Society for the Preservation of the Great American Songbook, the next.
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, multi-time Grammy and Latin Grammy award winner Aymée Nuviola will take the stage on Thursday with an eclectic blend of musical genres.
Three-time Grammy nominated New York-based saxophonist, arranger, composer, and educator Lakecia Benjamin performs Friday night, while Marquis Hill, one of Chicago’s most thrilling young trumpeters and an internationally renowned musician, composer and bandleader, is slated to play on Sept. 22.
To many, Malcolm-Jamal Warner is well-known for his acting chops, including his role on “The Cosby Show.” But Warner has built a reputation as an accomplished poet and bassist, which he’ll flex during a concert on Sept. 21.
“As a presenter of jazz, it’s something that I love. One night, you might get a little more pop-jazz, then the next night a little more hot jazz, a New Orleans-type thing,” Allee said.
But as the host city, it made sense for festival organizers to focus on Indy-area artists as well.
Naptown Sound is a signature event of the festival, underscoring the city’s talent base, both from established performers and emerging artists.
Then on Sept. 25, the jazz community comes together to honor one of Indy’s own. “JJ at 100” celebrates the legacy of Indianapolis native, trombone and composing legend J.J. Johnson through a performance by the Indianapolis Jazz Collective, curated by saxophonist and Indy Jazz Fest Artistic Director Rob Dixon as well as a cast of Indianapolis-based all-stars.
The show will feature Steve Turre, who regularly performs on “Saturday Night Live,” on trombone.
“It’s a great way for the Indianapolis folks to get a little shine; the talent here is amazing. But then, we can showcase with somebody who has been out there and doing other things,” Allee said. “It’s a good meeting of the minds.”
All of it leads up to the grand finale on Sept. 28. Inside Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park, people will pack in to see Chaka Khan, Marcus Miller, Michael Franks and the Steve Allee Magic Hour Band.
Khan is likely the most widely known name. A cultural icon, her distinctive voice and style have influenced generations all over the world as she has collected 10 Grammy awards while defining pop, soul, jazz and funk music.
Miller has been referred to one of the most significant bass players in jazz, R&B, fusion and soul. Blending a unique combination of funk, groove, soul and pure technical skills, he has been included in the list of 10 most influential jazz players of this generation by Bass Player Magazine.
Franks is considered a leader of the “quiet storm” movement, a blend of R&B and jazz that centers around the romantic. He is known for his string of hits including “Popsicle Toes, “Antonio’s Song,” “The Lady Wants to Know” and many others.
Steve Allee, a legendary Indy-based piano master, brings back his chart-topping Magic Hour contemporary band for this special occasion featuring jazz superstars Rob Dixon on sax, John Raymond on trumpet, Richard “Sleepy” Floyd on drums and Jon Wood on bass.
“This is something we work all year long to put our best foot forward and bring more people to this music,”Allee said. “We want to make sure there’s some great art, and some great celebrating.”
IF YOU GO
Indy Jazz Fest
When: Sept. 17-28
Where: Venues throughout central Indianapolis
Schedule
Tuesday: Kandance Springs, 6:30 and 9 p.m., The Jazz Kitchen, 5377 N. College Ave., Indianapolis
Wednesday: Bria Skonberg, 6:30 and 9 p.m., The Jazz Kitchen
Thursday: Aymée Nuviola, 7:30 p.m., The Cabaret, 924 Pennsylvania St., Suite B, Indianapolis
Friday: Lakecia Benjamin, 7 and 9:30 p.m., The Jazz Kitchen
Sept. 21: Malcolm-Jamal Warner, 5 and 8 p.m., The Cabaret
Sept. 21: Naptown Sound, 8 p.m. to midnight, The Jazz Kitchen
Sept. 22: Marquis Hill, 5 and 8 p.m., The Jazz Kitchen
Sept. 25: “JJ at 100,” celebrating the legacy of Indianapolis native, trombone and composing legend J.J. Johnson, 6:30 and 9 p.m., The Jazz Kitchen
Sept. 28: Indy Jazz Fest Grand Finale, featuring Chaka Khan, Marcus Miller, Michael Franks and Steve Allee Magic Hour Band, gates open at 3 p.m., Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park, 801 W. Washington St.
Information: Tickets for the Grand Finale event Sept. 28 will be available at ticketmaster.com and indyjazzfest.net. Tickets for all other Indy Jazz Fest events available at indyjazzfest.net and host venue websites: thecabaret.org and thejazzkitchen.com
