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The best of Indy jazz
by Chuck Workman Oct 9, 2002
Even though it"s autumn and that means college football rankings, it"s also time for the annual NUVO Best Of picks, and that includes the jazz scene in Indy. Choices like this are difficult, especially in the jazz arena, because there are so many exceptional artists and groups performing in town. Best Large Jazz Ensemble or Big Band Buselli Wallerab Jazz Orchestra has shown an incisive commitment to the cultural jazz orchestra enrichment of Indy with its sustained high level of performance at the Jazz Kitchen and as the repertory jazz orchestra at the Indiana Historical Society. Each of its exceptional 16 members displays a total dedication to the artistic and educational purposes it stands for. Best Straight Ahead Jazz Combo The Frank Glover Quartet is uncompromising in its sustained quest for artistic integrity in performance. Pianist Claude Sifferlen"s original challenging style is the perfect foil for Glover"s highly articulate reed work. Best Contemporary Jazz Combo Cathy Morris has diversified her musical approach, embracing more Latin and Brazilian styles with the same enthusiasm and professionalism she is noted for. Working with various combo settings, Morris is more than just a party sound. Best Female Jazz Vocalist It is a thing of beauty to watch the musical development of a jazz singer. Cynthia Layne is reaching and growing into a new vocal realm. She is now consistently searching and pushing herself with new material and has demonstrated a desire to reach outside of the comfort zone of R&B and pop. Best Male Jazz Singer Everett Greene epitomizes the brilliance of a finely crafted diamond with his polished vocal delivery. No matter what the musical setting, Greene"s mellifluous baritone delivers with an elegance and charm that is captivating to all within the sound of his voice. Best Venue for Jazz The Jazz Kitchen has grown, literally, with its remodeling and expansion under the guidance of David Allee into one of the nation"s top jazz venues. It has shown a new musical diversity, adding to its popular Latin Dance Nights by presenting more contemporary sounds such as acid jazz while still retaining its roots in straight ahead jazz. The Jazz Kitchen gives local jazz artists a valid means of musical expression - along with bringing new national jazz acts to its bandstand. The Jazz Kitchen offers a first-rate menu for dining to complement the creative music being served at the same time. Jazz happenings Now that Jack Frost has made a chilly appearance, you can take some of that chill off by warming up with jazz around town this week. The Chatterbox has a good lineup with a pair of top women jazz pianists. Monika Herzig"s Acoustic Project plays classic jazz Friday, Oct. 11. Pianist/composer Amy Stephens is back to visit from Seattle and has reassembled her group with Tom Clark on sax, Jack Helsey on bass and Kenny Phelps on drums for a Saturday, Oct. 12 set. Let"s welcome her back. She has been missed from the local jazz scene. Performances are from 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. The Jazz Kitchen brings in the adventurous saxophonist and Verve recording artist Chris Potter"s Quartet Wednesday, Oct. 9 for two shows at 7 and 9 p.m. Potter, who is touring in support of his new CD release Traveling Mercies, has moved into a new musical journey. Potter says, "The idea that I had thematically was to explore different ideas about American history and how they affect people living now, so the whole point is to understand the present and in the present, there"s electronica, there"s music from all over the world influencing everybody, and there are all sorts of different sounds that people are exploring." Backing up the multireed explorations of Chris Potter are Kevin Hays on piano and Fender Rhodes, Scott Colley on bass and Bill Stewart on drums. Guitarist Bill Lancton & Coalition return for a night of wide-ranging jazz styles with Alan "Turk" Burk on keyboards for two sets at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11. DJ Marco Dominguez will host Noche Latina Saturday, Oct. 12 for a night of salsa and Caribbean music along with a special Caribbean dinner from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Elbow Room "Sunday Jazz Brunch" has added a new fun wrinkle to go along with the tasty hip jazz sounds of guitarist Jack Brengle and Tom Sullivan. According to General Manager Marco Solari, if you show up at the "Sunday at the Jazz Brunch" in pajamas between 10 and 11 a.m. you get the Beginners on the house. The live jazz and Sunday jazz brunch go from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra with singers will launch its 2002-"03 concert season and pay tribute to the Glen Miller Orchestra Friday, Oct. 11, 8 p.m. at the Community Life Center located at 10612 E. Washington St. Seating is cabaret style and parking is free. Ruth"s Chris Steak House has saxophonist Rob Dixon"s Quartet returning for a swinging night of "Sizzling Steaks & Jazz" Sunday, Oct. 13 from 7 to 10 p.m. Amy Stephens Group will play a free lunchtime performance in the Indianapolis Artsgarden Thursday, Oct. 10 from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. Cathy Morris will play on the Shapiro"s Stage in Kelly Park at the Old Southside Fall Festival Saturday, Oct. 12 at 8:30 p.m. The festival is located in the 1100 to 1300 blocks of South Meridian Street and runs from noon to 10 p.m. Lulu"s at the Crossing features Conga Jazz Thursday, Oct. 10 from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Chuck Workman is the producer/host of the Sunday Morning Jazz Show at 107.9 WTPI.
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