PERFORMERS
SEPTEMBER 22 - 26 • INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Sept 22.
Sept 23.
Sept 25.
Grand Finale
SUNSET SERIES
MILES AT 100 featuring THE INDIANAPOLIS JAZZ COLLECTIVE
Tuesday, September 22 | 6 & 8:30 PM | $30–$60 | The Jazz Kitchen · 5377 N College Avenue
The Indianapolis Jazz Collective comes together for an exceptional evening celebrating the centennial legacy of a true musical icon: Miles Davis at 100. Featuring an all-star lineup of the city's elite jazz talent, this powerhouse ensemble will trace the historic evolution of Davis's groundbreaking career. From the perfection of Kind of Blue to his bold, experimental eras, the Collective honors the legendary trumpeter's spirit of reinvention with virtuosic improvisation and a deep, hard-swinging pocket.
COLTRANE AT 100 featuring THE INDIANAPOLIS JAZZ COLLECTIVE
Wednesday, September 23 | 6 & 8:30 PM | $30–$60 | The Jazz Kitchen · 5377 N College Avenue
Night 2 with the Indianapolis Jazz Collective delivers a commanding tribute to a titanic force in music history with John Coltrane at 100. The ensemble dives deep into the spiritual and technical evolution of Coltrane's genius. The performance moves seamlessly from the complex, high-velocity architecture of Giant Steps to the transcendent, soaring modal themes of A Love Supreme. Expect a night of fierce intensity, relentless innovation, and brilliant improvisation as the city's premier players channel the raw energy of a jazz revolutionary.
TITO PUENTE JR. & NESTOR TORRES
Friday, September 25 | 7 & 9:30 PM | $15–$35 | The Jazz Kitchen · 5377 N College Avenue
Two powerhouse artists come together for an electrifying evening of Latin jazz as Grammy-winning flautist Nestor Torres and the dynamic Tito Puente Jr. share the stage. Torres weaves together Latin jazz, pop, and classical influences with extraordinary virtuosity, while Puente Jr. passionately carries on his legendary father's legacy by bringing classic and contemporary mambo and salsa rhythms to life. Together, these celebrated musicians ignite the stage, blending fiery rhythms, virtuosic melodies, and undeniable charisma for a high-energy performance that fuses tradition with innovation.
NICOLE ZURAITIS
Friday, September 25 | 8 PM | Tickets from $50 | The Cabaret · 924 N Pennsylvania St Ste B
Two-time Grammy-winning jazz vocalist, pianist, and songwriter Nicole Zuraitis brings her powerhouse vocals and infectious energy to the stage. As the first artist to win the Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album for a project (How Love Begins), Zuraitis seamlessly blends jazz, pop, and soul into a compelling 'Modern Songbook.' Her dynamic performances fuse staggering musical brilliance with an undeniable, heartfelt connection to her audience.
THE POCKET SUPREMACY — NATE SMITH / NTH POWER / BREAK SCIENCE
Friday, September 25 | 8 PM | $25–$50 | The Vogue · 6259 N College Ave [TRIPLE BILL — ONE TICKET]
[PLACEHOLDER — Pocket Supremacy event description needed. Current press release bio for this entry appears to be placeholder copy. Request correct bio from David Allee / Teresa Busse before June 24 launch.]
INDY JAZZ FEST GRAND FINALE
Saturday, September 26 | Gates open 1 PM | Tickets from $55
Indy Art Center / Opti Park · 820 E 67th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46220
SHEILA E. & THE E-TRAIN
Grand Finale · Saturday, September 26
The legendary Queen of Percussion, Sheila E., brings her explosive energy, world-class drumming, and fierce showmanship to the stage for an unforgettable, high-octane performance. A multi-talented tour de force who famously collaborated with Prince, Marvin Gaye, and Beyonce, she seamlessly fuses Latin jazz, R&B, funk, and pop into a brilliant, dance-heavy showcase. Backed by a stellar band, this Grammy-nominated icon delivers iconic hits and deep grooves with a mastery that has captivated global audiences for decades.
MONONEON
Grand Finale · Saturday, September 26
Known for his infectious, futuristic groove and unmistakable visual style, Grammy-winning bassist and avant-garde visionary MonoNeon commands the room with his signature Southern soul-funk. One of the last musicians to collaborate closely with Prince, this soul-infused funkmaster has captivated global audiences and top-tier artists alike with his mastery and upside-down slap technique. Delivering an electric blend of heavy funk, hip-hop, and experimental jazz, MonoNeon anchors a relentless pocket for an unpredictable, boundary-pushing performance.
KARL DENSON'S TINY UNIVERSE
Grand Finale · Saturday, September 26
Powerhouse saxophonist, flautist, and funk-rock icon Karl Denson brings his legendary, high-octane project, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, to the venue for an explosive evening of hard-hitting soul-jazz. Famed for his work as the touring saxophonist for The Rolling Stones, Denson is a master frontman renowned for his driving rhythms and brilliant improvisation. Leading this razor-sharp ensemble, he delivers a relentless, dance-heavy showcase that seamlessly bridges the raw energy of rock with the deep pockets of classic acid-jazz.
RICK BRAUN PLAYS CHUCK MANGIONE
Grand Finale · Saturday, September 26
With over three decades of genre-defining music and more than 20 number-one hits, master trumpeter Rick Braun brings his signature tone to a heartfelt celebration of an icon. In Rick Braun Plays Chuck Mangione, he delivers a unique tribute that captures the emotional warmth and cinematic melodies of Mangione's legendary catalog. Blending classic arrangements with a contemporary energy, Braun breathes fresh life into timeless favorites.
BRANDON MEEKS
Grand Finale · Saturday, September 26
For nearly 20 years, award-winning bassist Brandon Meeks has been a pillar of Indianapolis' jazz scene, collaborating with national icons like Robert Glasper and Thundercat. Fresh off receiving the 2026 Creative Capital State of the Art Prize, Meeks now leads a dynamic collective that fuses classic straight-ahead jazz with a 21st-century hip-hop aesthetic. Inspired by visionaries like Roy Hargrove and Madlib, this performance is an uplifting, streetwise celebration of the rich legacy of Indy jazz.
CHARLIE HUNTER
Grand Finale · Saturday, September 26
Guitarist and composer Charlie Hunter has been one of contemporary music's most inventive forces, fusing jazz, funk, and blues. Renowned for his pioneering mastery of custom 7- and 8-string hybrid guitars, he famously plays bass lines, chords, and melodies simultaneously to create an unmatched, groove-driven sound. With over 20 albums to his name, Hunter is a legendary collaborator whose genre-spanning work includes landmark recordings with D'Angelo, Norah Jones, and John Mayer.
BASHIRI ASAD
Grand Finale · Saturday, September 26
Known as the 'Everyday Soul Singer,' Indianapolis vocalist Bashiri Asad is the pioneer of 'IndySoul' — a hard-hitting blend of jazz, funk, and R&B. Armed with a commanding voice reminiscent of Donny Hathaway and Stevie Wonder, the former Cabaret Artist in Residence is a fixture of the independent music scene. On stage, Asad delivers a deeply authentic, relentless performance, packing venues with his original music and acclaimed tribute suites.
DAVE STRYKER / ROB DIXON / RICHARD 'SLEEPY' FLOYD / SAM FRIBUSH
Grand Finale · Saturday, September 26
[PLACEHOLDER — Correct bio required. The press release bio for this entry is Nicole Henry's copy inserted by mistake. Please supply the correct one-paragraph description for this group before the website goes live.]
JARED THOMPSON & PREMIUM BLEND
Grand Finale · Saturday, September 26
The modern jazz quintet Premium Blend seamlessly fuses classic Blue Note tradition with deep hip-hop and R&B grooves. Renowned for high-energy original compositions, the ensemble has collaborated with cinematic icons and earned widespread acclaim for their award-winning documentary, 38th & Postmodernism. Driven by a signature, soulful sound, Premium Blend delivers an electrifying live experience that pushes the boundaries of modern groove.
SEAN IMBODEN LARGE ENSEMBLE
Grand Finale · Saturday, September 26
The Sean Imboden Large Ensemble (SILE) is a dynamic 17-piece big band that reimagines traditional large-ensemble jazz for the 21st century. Led by acclaimed saxophonist and composer Sean Imboden, the group is celebrated for its bold original compositions, intricate arrangements, and explosive collective energy. Following their internationally acclaimed 2025 debut album, SILE delivers a thrilling performance that honors the legacy of the big band tradition while charting an exciting path forward.
INDY JAZZ FEST AFTERSET
Saturday, September 26 | Time TBD | Tickets from $55
Turntable · 6281 N College Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46220
SHEILA E. & THE E-TRAIN
Grand Finale · Saturday, September 26
The legendary Queen of Percussion, Sheila E., brings her explosive energy, world-class drumming, and fierce showmanship to the stage for an unforgettable, high-octane performance. A multi-talented tour de force who famously collaborated with Prince, Marvin Gaye, and Beyonce, she seamlessly fuses Latin jazz, R&B, funk, and pop into a brilliant, dance-heavy showcase. Backed by a stellar band, this Grammy-nominated icon delivers iconic hits and deep grooves with a mastery that has captivated global audiences for decades.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets for all shows go on sale to the general public on Thursday, June 25 at 10 a.m.
Grand Finale tickets (September 26): indyjazzfest.net
All other Indy Jazz Fest events: indyjazzfest.net and host venue websites:
thecabaret.org · thejazzkitchen.com · thevogue.com · turntableindy.com