Indy Jazz Fest continues its “All Around Town” model with its popular Sunset Series, an exciting line-up of nighttime concerts in intimate jazz and cabaret venues featuring world-class jazz performers and an up-close listening experience.
KANDACE SPRINGS
The Jazz Kitchen
5377 N College Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46220
Tuesday, September 17 - 6:30 & 9p | $30-60
Jazz/soul diva Kandace Springs has been described as having “A voice that could melt snow” by Prince. The Blue Note recording artist’s newest release is “Run Your Race.”
* Midwest Expo showcase
BRIA SKONBERG
The Jazz Kitchen
5377 N College Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46220
Wednesday, September 18 - 6:30 & 9p | $25 to $45
Bria Skonberg is a Juno-award winning artist, 10x Downbeat Rising Star, and a recipient of the Legend Award by the Society for the Preservation of the Great American Songbook. The trumpeter, vocalist, and composer unveils her newest project “What It Means” returning to what inspired her in the first place: the sounds of New Orleans jazz.
* Midwest Expo showcase
AYMÉE NUVIOLA
PRESENTED BY THE CABARET
The CABARET
924 N Pennsylvania St Suite B, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Thursday, September 19 - 7:30p | $35 to $75
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, enjoy an electric evening with multi-GRAMMY Winner and Latin GRAMMY Award winning singer, musician, songwriter and actress Aymée Nuviola. Known as “La Sonera del Mundo,” native Cuban Nuviola embodies an electric blend of musical genres, with a sound highly influenced by the Jazz, Bossa Nova, Cuban Son, Bolero, Fílin, Classical, and American genres.
LAKECIA BENJAMIN
The Jazz Kitchen
5377 N College Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46220
Friday, September 20 - 7 & 9p | $35 to 65
Lakecia Benjamin is a 3x GRAMMY nominated New York-based saxophonist, arranger, composer, and educator. Her music offers a unique meld of R&B, several strains of jazz, and funk. Her warm, resonant tone — that has been compared to Johnny Griffin’s — lends itself to any form of music she chooses to play. She recently released her first live studio album Phoenix Reimagined.
Made possible by Lin Frauenhoff and Mark Sheldon
NAPTOWN SOUND
The Jazz Kitchen
5377 N College Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46220
Saturday, September 21 - 7:30p | $50
line up subject to change
INDIANA ALL-STATE JAZZ COMBO
FREDDIE HUBBARD TRIBUTE
Indianapolis Jazz Collective
Rob Dixon, Pharez Whitted, Derrick Gardner, Steve Allee, Kenny Phelps, Nick Tucker
VOCALEASE
Wendy Reed, Sandy Lomax, Rebecca Rafla, Emma Hedrick
BASHIRI ASAD
everyday soul singer
THE BLUE SIDE
Tad Robinson, Gordon Bonham, Goldie Ingram, Kevin Anker, Reggie Bishop, Kenny Phelps, Rob Dixon
PAVEL & DIRECT CONTACT
Leah Crane, Steve Dokken, Matt McGraw, Gerardo Becerra, Rich Cohen, Vick Luna, David Allee
SleepyNap AFROBEAT EXPERIENCE
Deep Rhythms and Grooves
MALCOLM-JAMAL WARNER with “MILES LONG”
PRESENTED BY THE CABARET
The CABARET
924 N Pennsylvania St Suite B, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Saturday, September 21 - 5 & 8p | $35 to $75
An evening with Emmy nominated actor and GRAMMY Award-winning poet and musician Malcolm-Jamal Warner. An accomplished bassist and poet, this show will unite his many talents and musical styles.
MARQUIS HILL
The Jazz Kitchen
5377 N College Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46220
Sunday, September 22 - 5 & 7:30p | $20-40
One of Chicago’s most thrilling young trumpeters, and internationally renowned musician, composer and bandleader, Marquis Hill works tirelessly blurring musical genres. Contemporary and classic jazz, hip-hop, R&B, Chicago house, neo-soul—to Hill, they’re all essential elements of the profound African-American creative heritage.
JJ AT 100
INDIANAPOLIS JAZZ COLLECTIVE FEATURING STEVE TURRE
The Jazz Kitchen
5377 N College Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46220
Wednesday, September 25 | 6:30 & 9p | $25 to $50
Celebrating the legacy of Indianapolis native, trombone and composing legend JJ Johnson, the Indianapolis Jazz Collective. Curated by saxophonist and Indy Jazz Fest Artistic Director Rob Dixon and a cast of Indianapolis based all-stars.
Steve Turre - trombone
Pharez Whitted - trumpet
Rob Dixon - sax
Steve Allee - piano
Nick Tucker - bass
Kenny Phelps - drums
Made possible by Mark Sheldon & Lin Frauenhoff
MONONEON
The Jazz Kitchen
5377 N College Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46220
Friday, September 27 - 7 & 10p | $35-65
A creative risk-taker, MonoNeon, Dywane Thomas Jr., or however you refer to him as - is an individual who is necessary because the game needs someone as intriguing, mysterious, and colorful as him.
As an artist who has ridiculous chops, an endless supply of creativity, an honor and relatable philosophy that is as enriching as it is educational, MonoNeon is one of the most easily recognizable bassist playing today.