Sunset Series Club Shows
The Indy Jazz Fest Sunset Series returns in 2023 for an exciting line-up of nighttime concerts in Indy’s most notable intimate jazz and cabaret venues. These celebrated spaces allow for an up-close listening experience by world-class jazz performers.
VERONICA SWIFT
CELEBRATED JAZZ VOCALIST
Monday, September 18
The Cabaret
Tuesday, September 19
8p
“...a jazz lioness with a pure tone, large lungs, a knowing sense of repertoire, and sure swing style.” - JazzTimes
“She has a miraculous voice, musical ability and technique, as well as an innate gift for entertaining a crowd.” - Wall Street Journal
CHRISTIAN SANDS
5X GRAMMY NOMINATED PIANIST
The Jazz Kitchen
Wednesday, September 20
6 & 8:30p
His abundant piano technique perfectly matches his conception, accomplishing a much deeper musical goal: a fresh look at the entire language of jazz. Christian says, “My music is about teaching the way of jazz and keeping it alive.” Whether it’s stride, swing, bebop, progressive, fusion, Brazilian or Afro-Cuban, Sands develops the past while providing unusual and stimulating vehicles for the present… and for the future. He expresses himself through an extensive vocabulary of patterns, textures and structures, all the while maintaining a strong sense of understatement, sensitivity, taste and swing — hallmarks for as long as he has been playing.
PEDRITO MARTINEZ
AFRO-CUBAN CONGUERO
Thursday, September 21
The Jazz Kitchen
6:30p
Pedrito Martinez…is a source of rhythmic delight and inspiration… an incomparable performer… a traditional Afro-Cuban music superstar – The New York Times
Since settling in New York City in the fall of 1998, Pedrito has recorded or performed with, Paul Simon, Wynton Marsalis, Paquito D’Rivera, Bruce Springsteen, Ruben Blades, Eddie Palmieri, Dave Matthews, and Sting, and has contributed to over 75 albums.
A consummate master of Afro-Cuban folkloric music and the batá drum he is also the world’s first-call rumbero—playing, singing, and dancing with dozens of Cuban rumba groups.
Official Indy Jazz Fest Kick-Off Celebration
Saturday, September 23 | 8p-midnight
PRESENTED BY
VAN RIPER - WOODARD FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Jazz Kitchen
5377 N College Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46220
$100pp includes music + passed, and stationed hors d’oeuvres
An unforgettable evening featuring an extensive mix of notable Indianapolis jazz performers.
The ultimate jazz hang and all-star cocktail affair. Mingle, listen, and support Indy Jazz Fest!
Slated performers include …
Indianapolis Jazz Collective
featuring Amanda King & Derrick Gardner,
plus Rob Dixon, Steve Allee, Nick Tucker, Kenny Phelps
The Tucker Brothers
Nick Tucker, Joel Tucker, Sean Imboden
"From the 317" Band
vocalists Goldie & Bashiri Asad, saxophonist Hank Hankerson,
Reggie Bishop, Jon Wood, Richard “Sleepy” Floyd, Rob Dixon
VocalEase Jazz Set
Brenda Williams, Rebecca Rafla, Wendy Reed, Sandy Lomax
The Blue Side
Tad Robinson, Sadie Johnson, Kevin Anker,
Reggie Bishop, Kenny Phelps, Rob Dixon
Pavel & Friends
Pavel, Jon Wood, Kenny Phelps
Rob Dixon & Leah Crane
** artists subject to change
NAPTOWN SOUND
LIZZ WRIGHT
SOLD-OUT
HOLDING SPACE
Sunday, September 24
The Cabaret
7p
“A singer of uncommon openness and direct emotional appeal.” - New York Times
Through an inimitable voice that The New York Times touts as, “a smooth, dark alto possessed of qualities you might associate with barrel-aged bourbon or butter-soft leather,” Lizz Wright draws on her Southern heritage to craft a unique sound that incorporates jazz, folk, gospel, and R&B.
ANDREW DANFORTH
NEW SOUNDS • CD RELEASE
Sunday, September 24
The Jazz Kitchen
As a composer and improviser, Andrew blends traditional Naptown hard bop with elements of Midwest emo, European art music and RnB. He seeks to pay homage to the long legacy of creative music in Indianapolis by writing innovative compositions and pushing the boundaries of contemporary jazz.
6:30p
RUSSELL MALONE
& Indy Jazz Collective
Wednesday, September 27
The Jazz Kitchen
Tribute to Wes Montgomery and celebrating #WesAt100. A natural pick for this historic project , Malone was Influenced by Wes Montgomery, BB King and George Benson, Malone in addition to being a prolific solo performer, has graced the stages with the likes of Jimmy Smith, Harry Connick, Jr, Diana Krall and many more.
Joining Malone is a band of Indianapolis all-stars known for their special presentations celebrating jazz’ foremost innovators.
Russell Malone - guitar
Rob Dixon - saxes
Steve Allee - piano
Kenny Phelps - drums
George Delancey - bass
Special remarks by Wes’ son Robert Montgomery, plus Wes Montgomery documentary “Wesbound” Outtakes.
6:30 & 9p shows
BASHIRI ASAD
CD RELEASE CONCERTS
Friday, September 29
The Jazz Kitchen
7 & 10p
He laughs. He cries. He loves. He dreams. Just like you, everyday. He feels deeply, and turns his feelings into music. Soul music. Music that says exactly how you feel, everyday.
Bashiri Asad is the “Everyday Soul Singer", and he will remind you that feeling what you feel, in your soul, is just fine.
Hailing from Indianapolis, Bashiri Asad has come to define his sound as “Indy-Soul”. From shoo-wop style singing groups and classical vocal training, to performances local and abroad, his various experiences have shaped his voice into the soul-stirring entity it is known as today. Echoes of the influences of Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Sam Cooke, and Otis Redding weave through his presentation, but his sound is unmistakably his own.
IJF23 SUPPORTERS
IJF23 PROMO PARTNERS
