Jazz: A year in review

It has been a year of ups and downs for jazz that reflected society in general. Jazz has always been a barometer as artists express the moods and needs of the public.

Jazz lost another event downtown when the American Piano Association canceled its annual fund-raiser, the Taste of Jazz in the Park festival, due to the economic downturn that effected sponsorship funds. Helen Small, APA executive director, did announce they would be back in 2003.

The Indy Jazz Fest, recuperating from the rainout of two years ago, put on an outstanding, revamped event for three days with Queen Aretha and King BB on the pop side and Arturo Sandoval opening the jazz mix, wrapped by the magnificent Dianne Reeves. It was good to see the return of the now-renamed Wes Montgomery Jazz Festival downtown at Canal and St. Clair streets. The impact of Sept. 11 also was felt in the jazz community through patriotic recordings by Lisa Baldwin, Greg Bacon and Larry Calland in remembrance of the victims.

There were new ventures offering jazz around town. The Cozy initiated Smooth Jazz Tuesdays and Sundays. Ruth"s Chris Steakhouse downtown now offers Sizzling Steaks & Jazz, and The Elbow Room offers a Sunday Jazz Brunch.

The mainstay clubs like the Jazz Kitchen settled into successful formulas, featuring a diverse mix of jazz, including both local and national touring acts. In addition, the Jazz Kitchen added a house band with the unique name of 7 Pleasures for funk and acid jazz to complement its popular Latin Dance Night. One welcome new feature was the long-awaited completion of the Jazz Kitchen"s expansion for dining and listening.

The Chatterbox continued its role of giving new jazz groups a stage to present their music while keeping its straight ahead jazz regulars on board. A major coup for jazz lovers, especially in the big band or orchestral setting, is the residency of the Buselli Wallarab Jazz Orchestra for its concert series at the Indiana Historical Society.

CD releases of note by local artists in "02 came from Michael Brown, Beeblebrox, Everett Greene, Simon Rowe, Brenda Williams, Janiece Jaffe and Marvin Chandler with the Jack Gilfoy Quartet.

Weekly summer outdoor concerts at the Indianapolis Zoo"s Animals and All That Jazz, the Indianapolis Museum of Art"s Concerts on the Terrace and the Indiana Historical Society"s Concerts on the Canal drew high attendance in spite of summer heat.

2002, from a jazz perspective, would have to be considered a year of renewal and makeover, gaining a larger segment of public awareness and support to lead into the new year.

Jazz happenings

If you are looking for plans to wrap up "02 on New Year"s Eve with a jazz theme, here are some of the venues that will be offering special packages to ring in the new year.

The Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra and Singers will be staging a New Year"s Eve dance at the Indiana Roof Ballroom from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. The package includes a full dinner buffet with desert, plus many extras. For tickets call (317) 236-1877.

The Jazz Kitchen will host its annual New Year"s Eve Bash, featuring the Midcoast Swing Orchestra from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. For package information call 253-4900. Mary Moss and The Carl Hines Quintet will swing Dec. 27 at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. Tenor saxophonist Rob Dixon"s Quartet lays out the straight ahead sounds that are soothing and creative at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m.

Sullivan"s Steakhouse offers after 6 p.m. an all-inclusive package for $75 per person that includes dinner, party favors and a champagne toast at midnight. Music is by Claude Sifferlen on piano, Joe Deal on bass and Kevin Johnson on drums starting at 8 p.m. Reservations are recommended, but walk-ins are accepted.

The Chatterbox has Keni Washington and Omniverse playing 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. for its New Year"s Eve party. Price is $10 per person with hats, noisemakers and champagne toast at midnight. No reservations are required. Friday, Dec. 27 the Steve Jones Quintet plays, followed by the Kyle Quass Group on Saturday, Dec. 28. Performances both nights run from 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.

The Circle City Bar and Grille in the Marriott Hotel Downtown has Conga Jazz performing Friday, Dec. 27 from 7 to 11 p.m.

Chuck Workman is the producer/host of the Sunday Morning Jazz Show at 107.9 WTPI.