Events
~A Benefit for the Inner-City Music School
April is Jazz Appreciation Month, please join the Clifford Ratliff Septet at the Jazz Kitchen on Sunday April 11th for an evening of music and fun to benefit Hazel Johnson-Strong and the Inner-City Music School.
The Inner-City Music School was founded in 2005 by Hazel Johnson-Strong and her husband Mack to provide musical instruction to the underserved students in the Indianapolis Public Schools.
Along with many talented jazz musicians, they have provided free musical instruction to scores of children and some adults over the past 5 years. Musicians such as Melvin Rhyne, the last Russell Webster and Pookie Johnson as well as the next generation of musicians such as Clifford Ratliff and Frank Smith have shared their musical talents and knowledge with many children as young as 3 and one student that is 82 years old. Please come out and support Hazel, Mack and a great organization that plays such an important part in the Indianapolis music community.
The show will take place from 6-9pm. There is no cover charge; a $10.00 minimum donation is suggested at the door. Reservations can be made by calling The Jazz Kitchen at 253.4900 or on-line here. Proceeds will go to the the Inner-City Music School. This event is presented by A Great Day in Indy.
The Clifford Ratliff Septet features Melvin Rhyne, Hank Hankerson, Bill Penick, Steve Weakley, Kenny Phelps, Frank Smith and of course Clifford Ratliff.
Sponsors of this event include the Jazz Kitchen, Owl Studios, the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation, Jazz-City Radio, The Indy Jazz Fest, The Smithsonian Institute and The Great Frame Up.
~East Coast Sounds: Out of the Cool and Into the Hot~
The program is presented by Los Angeles Jazz Institute over Memorial Day weekend. Another great line-up again this year featuring Bob Brookmeyer, Terry Gibbs, Johnny Mandel, Med Flory, Teddy Charles, Mundell Lowe and many more along with several great panel discussions, rare,vintage films and vendors selling their music related wares. If you’re looking for a reason to go to LA for a few days, look no further than this event.
Arts for Art, Inc. Presents…
The 15th Annual Vision Festival ~The Creative Option~
Muhal Richard Abrams-A Lifetime of Achievement
Each year, the Vision Festival honors the achievements of one living artist who has greatly influenced the world around them and paved the way for other innovators to move forward. On Thursday, June 24th, 2010 Arts For Art and The Vision Festival will celebrate a Lifetime of Achievement by the great Muhal Richard Abrams. Muhal will perform solo work created specially for this event. It will be followed by Fred Anderson in a duo performance with Chad Taylor and a special performance by Joseph Jarman. Finally, Muhal will take the stage, in a not to be missed performance with the Chicago bass player, Harrison Bankhead and sax player, Ari Brown.
Rashied Ali / Sirone – Tributes
On Saturday June 26th, the great sax legend, Charles Gayle, will lead a Bass Choir in honor of the late great bassist and friend, Sirone (Norris Jones). That same night Sirone’s wife, an artist in her own right, Veronika Nowag-Jones will do a reading. On the final night at the Abrons, June 29th, there will be a tribute to the late great Rashied Ali. It will feature a performance “By Any Means” featuring Muhammad Ali (brother of Rashied) on drums. The festival at the Abrons will conclude with an all-star six drum tribute led by Hamid Drake.
Vision For Vision Benefit – Artists Give Back
On Wednesday, June 23rd, for the first night at the Abrons Art Center, the great musicians who have helped make this festival famous will perform in a stellar night of music and art. With all new bands, these artists will lend their support to the Vision of this Festival as a platform which has consistently presented the best in innovative music and art for fifteen years. This evening represents the strength and support of those NYC avantjazz artists.
The festival kicks off on Sunday June 2oth and runs through Wednesday June 30th. Please click on the link above for the schedule as there are a few different venues involved. The core of the event from Wednesday 6/23 – Tuesday 6/29 will take place at the Abrons Art Center on the lower East side of Manhattan. There are also late night sessions in other venues.