Jazz updates

Animals & All that Jazz, presented by the IU Medical Group at the Indianapolis Zoo, will groove hard with the smooth saxophone sounds of Gregg Bacon's Group on Thursday, Aug. 5 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Admission is free with regular zoo fee: $10.95, seniors and children age 12 and under $6.95. Performances are rain or shine. Gregg Bacon will perform at Animals & All that Jazz next Thursday, Aug. 5.

Fresh air jazz

The outdoor jazz scene picks up with Board Ripple Park opening its month-long jazz series Aug. 3, in conjunction with WTPI 107.9. Kicking off the Tuesday concerts will be alto saxophonist Jason Curry's Quartet. Curry is returning from New York and is noted for his straight-ahead approach to jazz. Performances are from 7 to 9 p.m. and are free each week.

Holliday Park's Summer Arts Series will feature the big band dancing jazz sounds of the Midcoast Swing Orchestra on Wednesday, July 28 in a free performance starting at 7 p.m.

The MacAllister Center for Performing Arts at Garfield Park presents Orquesta Son's salsa rhythms Friday, July 30 at 7 p.m. The contemporary, party jazz electric violin of Cathy Morris & Collage follows at 8 p.m. Both performances are free and open to the public.

Summer Nights Concerts at the Indianapolis Museum of Art will showcase the music of Ray Vega's Latin Jazz Sextet Wednesday, Aug. 4. Gates open for picnicking at 5:30 p.m. Concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 for IMA members and $24 for non-members.

Indiana State Museum's Summer Sounds Concert Series on the museum's terrace Wednesday, Aug. 4 has the Bill Lancton Quartet playing 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Jazz reading

Two new books of interest for jazz lovers are worth acquiring. Co-authors Wayne Eustice and Janis Stockhouse have come up with an invigorating view of female jazz artists titled Jazzwomen. The book, published by Indiana University Press, is based on interviews of 21 women jazz artists, vocalists and instrumentalists. Some are household names, others are not so well-known. The book rips the glossy veneer off the careers of these women competing for an equal foothold in what has been a male dominated artform. Those interviewed tell what it's really like competing for acceptance and respect. A full-length CD accompanies the book, with original tracks and interviews.

Photo/journalist Duncan Schiedt's latest publication, Jazz In Black & White (IU Press), is a treasure trove of jazz photography that represents the author's career of six decades, in which he characterizes himself as "jazz paparazzi." There are over 80 priceless portraits of jazz legends and icons with detailed explanations of where and how and when the images were captured. It's easy to see why his photos were used by Ken Burns in his PBS jazz documentary.

Jazz Happenings

Downtown

Chatterbox, 435 Massachusetts Ave. Pianist Reggie Bishop & Mo' Funk featuring vocalist Goldie, Friday July 30. Saxophonist Keni Washington & Omniverse Saturday, July 31. Performances are 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. with a cover charge.

Circle City Bar & Grille, 350 W. Maryland St., Marriott Downtown. Friday, July 30, Convergence. Saturday, July 31 vocalist Betheny Dunlap & Neapolitan. Music goes from 7 to 11 p.m.

Bourbon Street Distillery, Indiana Avenue and Vermont Street. Debut of the new Uptown Quartet Friday, July 30, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Northside

Jazz Kitchen, 54th Street and College Avenue. Friday, July 30, soulful jazz and R&B vocalist Cynthia Layne & Friends. Saturday, July 31 acid jazz, funk grooves and hip-bop sounds of Seven Pleasures. Sets at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. with cover charge.

D'Vine Wine Bar, 86th and Keystone, Woodfield Shopping Center. Thursday, July 29 vocalist, keyboardist Lisa Baldwin, 8 p.m. to midnight. Friday, July 30, Daryl Spurlock, keyboards. Saturday, July 31, Dave Ellman, vocals and keyboards. Music runs from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. both nights.

Southside

Smokehouse Cafe, County Line Road and Meridian Street. Sunday Jazz Brunch with the Impulse Trio, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Pauly's Italian Restaurant, Southport Road and Highway 37. Maiden Voyage Wednesday, 6:30 to 9 p.m. and Friday, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

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