INDY JAZZ FEST 2025 SEPT 09-20, 2025

〰️

INDY JAZZ FEST 2025 SEPT 09-20, 2025 〰️

Presented by

SEPTEMBER 09-20, 2025

INDIANAPOLIS, IN

CONCERTS TICKETS

〰️

CONCERTS TICKETS 〰️

GRAND FINALE ARTISTS

Brian Culbertson

A chart-topping jazz-funk keyboardist, composer, and producer, Brian Culbertson brings high-energy performances rooted in R&B, smooth jazz, and soul. With over 20 albums and countless #1 Billboard hits, his shows blend dazzling musicianship with show-stopping stage presence.

Terence Blanchard
& the E-Collective

Two-time Oscar-nominated composer and 6-time GRAMMY winner, Terence Blanchard is a visionary jazz trumpeter known for his cinematic scores (including many for Spike Lee) and his groundbreaking fusion of jazz with opera, hip-hop, and contemporary themes. A true modern icon of jazz.

Nicole Henry
& the Indy Jazz Fest All-Stars

Hailed as one of the most soulful voices in jazz today, Nicole Henry brings a captivating blend of elegance, power, and emotional depth to the stage. Her interpretations of jazz standards and R&B classics have won her international acclaim—and a Soul Train Award.

Judith Hill

Judith Hill brings her signature blend of funk, soul, and fearless storytelling to the Grand Finale stage. A GRAMMY winner who’s worked with Prince and Michael Jackson, Hill now shines with Letters from a Black Widow—a bold, emotional album praised for its powerful vocals and raw honesty. Expect a performance packed with fire, depth, and soul.

SUNSET SERIES  ARTISTS

Kenny Garrett

One of the most important alto saxophonists of his era, Kenny Garrett’s explosive live performances are grounded in post-bop mastery, spiritual depth, and global influence. A former member of Miles Davis’s band, his decades-spanning solo work is both innovative and deeply rooted in jazz tradition.

Charlie & The Tropicales

This electrifying collaboration brings together the Latin heat of Charlie & The Tropicales with the GRAMMY-winning vocalist and violinist Mireya Ramos (Flor de Toloache). Expect a high-energy celebration of Afro-Caribbean rhythms, salsa, and Latin soul that will turn the night into a tropical block party.

Sam Fribush Organ Jam

Sam brings an electrifying energy to the Hammond B3, blending old soul and youthful spirit. Known for his heartfelt groove and inventive flow, Fribush leads this dynamic organ jam joined by Rob Dixon and Richard “Sleepy” Floyd—uniting Indy’s finest for a night of soulful improvisation, rich textures, and unstoppable rhythm.

Naptown Sound

A celebration of Indy’s rich jazz legacy, Naptown Sound brings together an all-star lineup of Indiana’s top musicians. This electrifying collective delivers a hometown mix of groove, grit, and soul—bridging tradition with fresh energy. It’s the sound of Indianapolis, bold and proud.

Jazz Meets Samba - An Afro Brazilian Journey feat. Magary Lord, Juliana Ribeiro, & Lasana Kazembe

IU Africana Studies presents an exciting evening exploring intersections of sound, celebrating the Afro-Brazilian roots of samba with electrifying musicians Juliana Ribeiro and Magary Lord, accompanied by the Rob Dixon Quintet. The evening also features a dynamic performance of artistry and healing through spoken word and jazz, with Emmy Award-winning poet Lasana D. Kazembe and his ensemble, Watu Wazuri. Expect an evening filled with energy, passion, cultural insight, and artistic improvisation.

Indianapolis Jazz Collective

The Indianapolis Jazz Collective is an all-star group of the city’s finest jazz musicians. Led by Indy Jazz Fest Artistic Director Rob Dixon, the collective often features special guest soloists and notable figures in the jazz world. They curate unique collaborations, and in the past, have included artists such as Bobby Watson, Stefon Harris, and Randy Brecker.

Brandee Younger

Trailblazing harpist Brandee Younger redefines what the harp can do. Blending classical mastery with jazz, soul, and hip-hop, she’s collaborated with artists from Ravi Coltrane to Lauryn Hill. Her Grammy-nominated work weaves elegance and edge into a genre-defying experience.

Gunhild Carling
Presented by The Cabaret

Swedish jazz powerhouse Gunhild Carling is a true one-woman show—singer, dancer, multi-instrumentalist, and vintage jazz revivalist. With fiery trombone solos and Charleston flair, her shows are a whirlwind of talent and old-school swing with modern sass.

Lisa Fischer

A GRAMMY-winning vocalist whose extraordinary voice has graced stages with the Rolling Stones, Luther Vandross, and Tina Turner. After decades as a sought-after backup singer, Fischer stepped into the spotlight with her soulful solo artistry—blending jazz, gospel, rock, and classical influences. Her performances are unforgettable, intimate, and transcendent.

Keyon Harrold

A virtuoso trumpeter and social voice of his generation, Keyon Harrold blends jazz, R&B, and hip-hop into a signature sound praised by NPR and Rolling Stone. Known for his work on Miles Ahead and collaborations with Common, Beyoncé, and Gregory Porter, he delivers raw emotion with every note.

Explore the artists, dates, and venues bringing the magic to Indy this September.


The Jazz Kitchen

6:30pm & 9pm

09

Sunset Series

Kenny Garrett

Sept,

2025

Kenny Garrett

10

Sept,

Sunset Series

2025

The Jazz Kitchen

6:30pm & 9pm

Charlie and the Tropicales featuring Mireya Ramos

12

Sunset Series

Sept,

2025

The Jazz Kitchen

7pm

Sam Fribush Organ Jam

12

Sunset Series

Sept,

2025

The Jazz Kitchen
10pm

The Jazz Kitchen,

5pm - 11:30pm

13

Sunset Series

Naptown Block Party

Sept,

2025

JAZZ meets SAMBA
An Afro Brazilian Journey feat. Magary Lord, Juliana Ribeiro, & Lasana Kazembe

14

Sunset Series

Sept,

2025

The Jazz Kitchen

6pm

The Jazz Kitchen

6:30pm & 9pm

16

Sunset Series

Indy Jazz Collective

Sept,

2025

The Jazz Kitchen

6pm & 8:30pm

17

Sunset Series

Brandee Younger

Sept,

2025

Sunset Series - Presented by The Cabaret

17

Sept,

2025

Gunhild Carling

The Cabaret - Onsale August 5 @ 10a

8pm

Schrott Center for the Arts - Onsale July 25

8pm

18

Sunset Series

Ms Lisa Fischer

Sept,

2025

The Jazz Kitchen

7pm & 9:30pm

19

Sunset Series

Keyon Harrold

Sept,

2025

Brian Culbertson
Terence Blanchard & the E-Collective
Judith Hill
Nicole Henry + Indy Jazz Fest All-Stars

20

Grand Finale

Sept,

2025

Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park,

Gates open at 3pm
Music starts at 4pm

FESTIVAL DETAILS

LOCATIONS

Location is accessible and step-free.

GRAND FINALE

Saturday, Sept 20, Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

OUR FANS GIVE INDY JAZZ FEST ITS SPIRIT