Henry D. Cain remembered

Last Tuesday, former Indy resident and jazz organist Henry D. Cain died in Las Vegas. Though not a household name in jazz, Cain was a major player on the local and later national jazz and R&B scene. He was part of the popular Three Souls Trio that played regularly during the golden era of jazz on Indiana Avenue. I knew Cain; we attended Cathedral High School together and I watched his development as a musician. His lifelong musical ties were with drummer Al Coleman and the Three Souls.

The remaining member of the Three Souls, Al Coleman, reflected on the group and the recent passing of Cain and bassist Will Scott. “The Three Souls were a very memorable era of my life. We were more than just a group, we were together for over 50 years.”

Coleman added that now he will no longer play — it’s just not the same.

Cain regularly toured with the group, even though he moved to California and later made his home in Las Vegas. The Three Souls annually toured and played all over the nation, especially college sets. They even played in Zimbabwe for the opening of an African university. Cain became active on the L.A. recording scene, working with artists Della Reese, Bobby Bryant and numerous others. According to Coleman, Cain played in Europe, touring with Richard Pryor and Lola Falana. Cain recorded some 45 singles on the Chess label with the Three Souls, Coleman stated. Under Cain’s own name he recorded LPs for Capitol Records, including The Funky Organization of Henry D. Cain, and was the organist for several of guitarist Howard Roberts’ albums. Other Cain albums are Cain Able and Something Another.

Henry D. Cain’s music was based in the musical traditions of Indiana Avenue. Those that heard him won’t forget.

• One of the best-kept jazz secrets in town happens every Tuesday at Cafe @ Ray, 946 S. Meridian St. This place has all the ambiance of Greenwich Village with its antique brick walls, all-glass front and a get-down jazz menu for Tuesdays that matches the smooth, laid-back sounds of Gregg Bacon’s saxes and flute, with James Simmons on keyboards and guitar. These two men make more music than groups twice their size. It’s as delectable to the ear as the dining experience is to the palate.

• Vibist Billy Wooten plays Thursday at The House Cafe in Glendale Mall from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

• Larry Michael’s Conga Jazz can be heard Thursday at Brix, 65 S. First St. in Zionsville.

• Convergence will play Tuesday at Easley Winery at 5 p.m.

• Vocalist Bethany Dunlap and Glen Dunlap, keyboards, will play Peterson’s at 96th Street and Hague Road Saturday from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m.

• The Jazz Kitchen’s “Trumpet Summit” Friday will pit the skills of trumpeters Anson Banks, Jeff Conrad, Mike Hackett, Pat Harbison, Tom Mullinix and Clifford Ratliff in performing tunes from the Great American Songbook. That’s a lot of firepower.

Last week, the Jazz Kitchen was the site of some of the most exciting and diverse jazz you could cook up in one week. Maynard Ferguson’s crew raised the roof in front of a sold-out crowd and wowed everyone with his new, wailing lady pianist, Gee Yun Lee. Ferguson played with a new fire to match his youthful band. Steve Allee brought his modern swinging big band in and served up bright new tunes from his upcoming big band CD, due out later this year.

The week’s capper was Frank Glover’s CD release party for Politico. There was a capacity crowd on hand as Glover, with a jazz orchestra and string ensemble, guided the evening skillfully and with emotion through some of the most innovative jazz to grace the Jazz Kitchen’s stage. The crowd responded with exceptional enthusiasm, especially for Glover’s brilliant solos that were matched by Steve Allee’s piano jaunts. This was a night to savor Glover’s monumental work.