The Indianapolis Jazz Foundation: Education, Performance, and Legacy
The Indianapolis Jazz Foundation (IJF) is mission-driven, dedicated to promoting, preserving, and propelling the past, present, and future of jazz in Indiana. IJF aligns its programming with the three pillars of the mission: education, performance, and legacy. Through these initiatives, IJF ensures that jazz remains a vital part of Indiana’s cultural fabric, inspiring new generations of musicians and audiences alike.
Education
IJF’s commitment to supporting the local jazz community and the future of jazz in Indiana is evident in the educational programs, which reach over 1000 students annually. The Freddie Hubbard Memorial Jazz Band Festival exemplifies this dedication, providing mentorship, coaching, and performance opportunities that encourage high school musicians to hone their skills. Since its inception, participation in the festival has grown from four to eleven high schools, reaching more than 200 students each year.
At the elementary level, IJF introduces young students to jazz through Jazz in the 21st Century, a convocation that takes them on a musical journey through the history of jazz in America, with special highlights on Indiana’s jazz musicians. The program engages children through movement—dancing, singing, clapping—making jazz an immersive and exciting experience. In 2024, this program reached 750 fourth-grade students, planting the seed for personal engagement in music as they become eligible to join school band programs in fifth grade.
Beyond musicianship, educational programs emphasize an understanding of jazz as a cultural and historical art form. By exposing students and adults alike to jazz’s significance, the rich legacy of jazz music will continue for generations to come.
Performance
Each September, IJF presents its signature event: Indy Jazz Fest. The event brings the best of the jazz world to Indianapolis, featuring both local talent and internationally acclaimed artists. Beyond showcasing well-known performers, Indy Jazz Fest provides a platform for emerging musicians, ensuring that the next generation has opportunities to grow and connect with audiences. Indy Jazz Fest alone features more than 100 world-class performers each year and draws thousands of jazz lovers to celebrate the art form.
But IFJ offers more than just a single festival. The Indianapolis Jazz Foundation is committed to offering year-round performances that highlight both established and up-and-coming artists. In 2024, IJF presented 52 concerts and education programs, engaging 158 artists and reaching over 25,000 patrons.
The Legacy Concert Series honors the music of jazz icons, ensuring that their influence continues to inspire new generations. The Love Supreme Concert, for example, pays tribute to John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme and its impact on the jazz scene. Jazz at the Center, an outdoor summer series, highlights local artists and often features new works and arrangements from the From the 317 recording initiative.
Additionally, 3rd Sunday Jazz provides free, family-friendly concerts, in an underserved neighborhood. The series moved to a larger downtown venue in 2024—doubling attendance and expanding accessibility to jazz for the Indianapolis community.
Legacy
The Indianapolis Jazz Foundation is dedicated to preserving and celebrating Indiana’s jazz legacy while championing its future. The From the 317 initiative is a commissioning, recording, and marketing project that captures the vibrancy and creativity of today’s Indiana jazz artists—those who will become tomorrow’s legacy.
To date, this initiative has produced and nationally released two albums featuring ten solo artists from Indiana, reaching 44 national and 14 international markets. A third installment, celebrating African American culture through song, poetry, and spoken word, is in development. Additionally, sixteen new works capturing Indianapolis’ big band sound were recorded and mastered for release in 2025. In total, the initiative has benefitted forty local musicians through exposure, employment, and future opportunities.
Another initiative in preserving jazz history is the Indianapolis Jazz Hall of Fame, which recognizes individuals who have made a lasting impact on the local jazz community. With 70 honorees to date, the Hall of Fame celebrates not only legendary musicians but also educators, club owners, composers, photographers, and historians who have helped shape Indianapolis' jazz scene. Four new inductees will be named and honored in 2025.
In 2024, IJF had the honor of unveiling the Wes Montgomery Historical Marker at the site where he lived and worked at 10th and Bellefontaine Streets in Indianapolis. This marker, installed in partnership with the Indiana Historical Bureau, ensures that one of the greatest jazz guitarists of all time is forever recognized in the city he called home. The dedication ceremony, held on what would have been Montgomery’s 101st birthday, drew a neighborhood audience of more than 120 people, despite the cold March afternoon. This celebration of Montgomery’s legacy was a testament to the lasting impact of his music on our community and the world.
Moving Forward
The Indianapolis Jazz Foundation continues to preserve, celebrate, and expand the influence of jazz in Indianapolis. None of this would be possible without the generosity of donors, sponsors, and community partners. Their support helps IJF bring world-class jazz programming to the city, educate thousands of students, and honor the legacies of Indianapolis jazz greats like Wes Montgomery and J.J. Johnson.
Through live performances, educational initiatives, and legacy projects, IJF is shaping the future of jazz in Indiana. We invite you to be part of this journey—whether by attending a concert, supporting programs, or making a donation to help continue this important work. Together, we can ensure that jazz remains a thriving and essential part of Indiana’s cultural identity.
