Jazz Appreciation Month

Welcome to the JAM. April is nationally recognized as Jazz Appreciation Month. This event was started by the Smithsonian three years ago and has attained national status.

Everett Greene and friends will perform at Jazz on the Avenue at the Madame Walker Theatre Center Friday, April 9.

There are scheduled jazz events around the city in April that celebrate JAM. The Indianapolis Artsgarden will feature free lunchtime concerts from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. The Jack Gilfoy Trio plays Friday, April 9; Mary Moss & Friends Friday, April 16; Greg Bacon Tuesday, April 20; and the Indiana Jazz All Stars Tuesday, April 27. During this month-long celebration of jazz, why not plan to purchase a jazz CD or visit one of the many venues in Indy where this art is performed.

A treasure of magnificent jazz has been played around Indy over the past two weeks that we have been privileged to catch. Especially outstanding was the Friday opening night of the Jazz Kitchen’s 10th anniversary. The Hampton Sisters’ debut Jazz Kitchen performance captivated the room. In front of a capacity crowd, Slide Hampton, backed with outstanding support by Rob Dixon on tenor sax, Steve Allee on piano, Frank Smith on bass and Kenny Phelps on drums showed that he is hands down the trombone heir to his hometown friend and mentor, the late J.J. Johnson. Hampton was a blaze of virtuosity and played with a passionate, reckless abandon. His innovative ideas were stunning to hear.

Saturday was at just as high a musical level with the All Star Steve Allee Big Band that was an explosive powerhouse of swinging tunes and arrangements. Most memorable was the freewheeling “Take the A Train,” where Allee had pianist Lori Meachem home for a visit, sitting in while he jumped in front of the band and called for a rare, exciting saxophone battle among Frank Glover, Mike Stricklin, Rob Dixon, Jim Farrelly and Ned Gould. It was a gem.

Monday, March 29, legendary road warrior Maynard Ferguson showed fans he can still launch his sound into the upper rarified air with his compact Big Bop Nouveau Band, which is filled with very talented, young, new faces.

Spring is now in full bloom with colorful sights. Why not complement that this week with the many colorful sounds of jazz for you all over Indy.

Downtown

The Chatterbox, 435 Mass. Ave., will host the debut of jazz harp player Jan Aldridge Clark’s Quartet Friday, April 9. Kevin Kouts Group featuring Paul Holdman performs Saturday, April 10. Sets both nights are 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, 45 S. Illinois St., “Sizzling Steaks & Jazz Sunday” has guitar sounds with The Bill Lancton Trio April 11 from 7 to 10 p.m.
Jazz On the Avenue, 6217 Indiana Ave., fourth floor ballroom of the Madame Walker Theatre Center, has the popular jazz balladeer Everett Greene and Friends performing Friday, April 9 from 6 to 10 p.m. There is a cover charge and optional buffet dining is available.

Northside

The Jazz Kitchen, 54th Street and College Avenue, will wrap up its 10th Anniversary Celebration with Indy All Star Jams Friday and Saturday. April 9 will feature 25 top, local, straight ahead jazz artists. April 10 headlines 25 local contemporary jazz artists. Both nights the Jazz Kitchen will release its special edition 10th Anniversary double CD.

Northeast

A pair of delightful venues are new to offering jazz in this area of town.
Vizon & Vapours, 5252 E. 82nd St., have weekly “Jazz On the Mezz” featuring The Frank Puzzullo Trio with Frank Smith on bass, Kenny Phelps on drums and Puzzullo on piano. This hard-swinging trio plays each Tuesday and Wednesday, 7 to 10:30 p.m.

Maggiono’s, 3550 E. 86th St., Keystone at the Crossing, presents “Little Italy Jazz” with the vocal/piano light jazz sounds of Jackie Wood Tuesday to Saturday from 3 to 10:30 p.m.

Parrotheads Bar & Grill, 5522 E. Fall Creek Parkway North Drive, has the Dixieland jazz of Tom Mullinix and the Naptown Strutters performing each Sunday from 6 to 9 p.m.

Southside

Pauly’s Italian Restaurant, Southport Road and Highway 37, has great jazz with the Notemen Jazz Group on Wednesday, 6:30 to 9 p.m. and Friday, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. and Saturday various jazz artists play 7 to 11 p.m.

University of Indianapolis, 1400 E. Hanna Ave., presents Tuesday, April 13 the free spring concert of the 18-piece Jazz Hounds Big Band directed by Harry Miedema. The Perry Meridian High School Jazz Ensemble directed by Rick Granlund will join the UINDY musicians in the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center for this 7:30 p.m. event.

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