April JAM

April brings out a national music support drive because it is officially “Jazz Appreciation Month,” sponsored by the Smithsonian Institute and several other major music organizations. This is the month where you are asked to attend a jazz event in your community or purchase a jazz CD or DVD by a local or national artist. There will be events in and around Indy that will coincide with this month-long celebration of jazz.

The Jeff Hamilton Trio will be at IUPUI's Recital Hall Monday at 7:30 p.m.

IUPUI’s director of jazz studies, Jack Gilfoy, has scheduled three events on the campus at the Recital Hall, IT Building, 535 W. Michigan St., in honor of Jazz Appreciation Month.

Internationally renowned jazz drummer from Richmond, Ind., the Jeff Hamilton Trio will give a concert Monday, April 4 at 7:30 p.m. in the Recital Hall. Hamilton is one of the most sought after drummers in jazz because of his distinctive and creative style of playing. Hamilton’s recordings with Oscar Peterson and Ray Brown are legendary, as are his two Jeff Hamilton Trio releases, both of which have received national and international accolades. Admission for this concert is $15 for adults and $10 for students and children.

For music students and those interested in music studies, the Jeff Hamilton Trio will give a Rhythm Section Workshop Tuesday, April 5 at 4 p.m. in the Recital Hall. General admission is $5.

Bam Miller, jazz portrait artist and poet, will exhibit Jazz Blues and Other Hues, drawings of local and national jazz artists, at the LAMP Fine Art Gallery, 901 N. East St., March 29 to April 8.

Miller will recite jazz poetry selections from her CD Jazz Blues and Other Hues Friday, April 1 for the grand opening. She will be backed up by Jack Gilfoy, drums, Jack Helsley, bass, John Spicknall, piano, and David Young, saxophone. Performance is at 7:30 p.m. The gallery opens at 5 p.m.

Vibist Billy Wooten’s Trio will offer cool jazz and blues at the Artsgarden Thursday in a free concert at 12:15 p.m.

The Jazz Kitchen will celebrate its 11th anniversary Friday, April 1. Owner David Allee says, “Things have been going exceptionally well over the past year.” He plans to celebrate the occasion with a Jazz Kitchen All Star Jam with Jazz Kitchen favorites Rob Dixon, Brenda Williams, Bill Lancton, Mary Moss and a host of other local jazz artists performing throughout the night. This will be one not to miss. Have you tried the Kitchen’s new menu of 10 items? If you are locked onto the Kitchen’s jazz sounds, wait till you try their raspberry bread pudding.

Cynthia Layne & Friends will debut her sultry vocal stylings at The Villaggio Restaurant at 40 S. Main St. in Zionsville Friday from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

The Cool City Swing Band has its first CD set to be released in April titled Love Being Here With You. Featured will be vocalists Shannon Forsell and Jimmy Guilford. Band leader and arranger Roy Geesa says the CD release date and party will be April 22 at the Fountain Square Theatre.