Wanted: Jazz Fest volunteers
by Chuck Workman
The American Pianist Association is looking for 300 enthusiatic community oriented volunteers to staff its A Taste of Indy Jazz Fest to be held Saturday Sept. 27 in Military Park. Some of the volunteer task involve ticket taking, merchandise sales, beverage service and set-up along with other opportunities. As a volunteer you should be able to commit to a four-hour shift and attend one of two training sessions. All volunteers will receive a T-shirt and one voucher for the festival. Shift sign-up sessions will take place at the following locations. • Wednesday, Sept. 3: 11:30 a.m. — 1 p.m. Hilbert Circle Theatre, 45 Monument Circle. • Saturday, Sept. 6: 9 a.m. to noon, Jordan YMCA-Northside, 8400 Westfield Blvd. • Tuesday, Sept. 9: 5:30 p.m. — 7 p.m., Baxter YMCA-Southside, 8202 U.S. 31 Suite B. • Thursday, Sept. 11: 11 a.m. — 2 p.m., Hilbert Circle Theatre 45 Monument Circle. Volunteer training sessions will be held at Clowes Memorial Hall on the Butler University Campus on Wednesday, Sept. 17 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 20 from 9:30 to 11 a.m.
6th Annual Labor Day Jazz Street Fair A rich tradition takes place every year on Labor Day that honors the late Pat Holland who was a decisive force for years in keeping the momentum of jazz going in this community. The Jazz Kitchen created this free jazz event. It’s a laid-back wind down of summer and time for jazz lovers to relax for al fresco dining and drinks from merchants in the vicinity of 54th and College. This year’s Free Fair is Monday, Sept. 1 and will run from 1 to 7 p.m. Music will be provided by Cathy Morris & Collage, playing 1:30 to 3 p.m.; 7 Pleasures Band, 3:30 to 5 p.m. and DogTalk, 5:30 to 7 p.m. There will be plenty of food available with Jazz Kitchen specialties, Yat’s Cajun specialties and CATH, Inc.
Arthritis Foundation’s Wine & Cathy Morris The sound of the violin of Cathy Morris will be showcased Wednesday, Aug. 27 at Connor Prairie to raise funds for the Arthritis Foundation. “An Evening of Wine & Cathy Morris is from 6 to 9 p.m. with 80 vintners on hand presenting top wines and delicious hors d’oeuvres. The evening includes a silent auction filled with unique gifts. All proceeds from this event go to support the Indiana Chapters programs and services that benefit over 1 million of the state’s Arthritis sufferers and some 13,000 in Central Indiana. Glendal Jones of Clarian Health and I will be your co-emcees.
Jazz Happenings Downtown The Chatterbox will bring back Cathy Morris combining her talents with the outstanding keyboardist Alan”Turk” Burke in a new experimental group Friday, Aug. 29. Bloomington trumpeter Kyle Quass Group brings a cutting edge jazz sound of originals and fresh approach on standards Saturday, Aug. 30. The sounds can be heard both nights from 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse “Sizzling Steaks & Jazz Sunday” welcomes the fluent guitar style of the Charlie Smith Trio on Aug. 31 playing 7 to 10 p.m. Northside Jazz Kitchen brings back the hard-swinging piano style of Steve Allee with a stellar all-star group that includes alto saxophonist Jamey Abersold and drummer Steve Davis on Friday, Aug. 29. It will be a monumental evening with the return of Indy sax icon Jimmy Coe’s Big Band loaded with Indy jazz legendary players in its 16-member ranks. This band knows one thing well and that is how to swing in the Basie, Ellington and Luncford tradition. Welcome back, Jimmy. Shows both nights are at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. New Fountain Lounge tenor saxophonist Rob Dixon will be guest with the Jason Curry Quartet Wednesday, Aug. 27 playing from 8 p.m. to midnight. Sullivans Steakhouse features the trio of Claude Sifferlen on piano, Joe Deal, bass, and Ron Brinson on drums Friday, Aug. 29 and Saturday, Aug. 30 playing 7 to 11 p.m. Melody Inn presents the Keni Washington Quintet for “Jazz Very Happy Hour “ on Thursdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Gregory’s showcases the classy swinging vocals of Mary Moss with Craig Hicks keyboards Friday, Aug. 29. Conga Jazz brings its Latin accented sounds in on Saturday, Aug. 30. Music both nights runs 8 to 11 p.m. Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse Northside features the duo of Bill Lancton on guitar and Dave Murray on bass Wednesday, Aug. 27 from 7 to 10 p.m.
Eastside Sangiovese has solo jazz piano by Frank Puzzullo on Tuesdays and the outstanding vocal styles of Brenda Williams with David Meek, keyboards, and Frank Smith, bass, on Wednesdays and Shannon Forsell with Ray Larman on Thursdays. Performances each night goes 7 to 10 p.m. Other upcoming major outdoor jazz events will be Penrod on Sept. 6 with the WTPI Jazz Tent of top local talent 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the Wes Fest Jazz Festival Sept. 13 and 14 on the Canal at St. Clair St.
Chuck Workman is the producer/host of the Sunday Morning Jazz Show at 107.9 WTPI
