Wes @ 100 - Jazz at The Center - The Jazz Collective featuring Bobby Broom
Bobby Broom is an American jazz guitarist, composer, and educator. He was born and raised in New York City, then moved to Chicago, which has been his home town since 1984. He performs and records with The Bobby Broom Trio and his organ group, The Bobby Broom Organi-Sation. While versed in the traditional jazz (bebop and post-bop) idioms, Broom draws from a variety of American music forms, such as funk, soul, R&B, and blues.
IJF Artistic & Education Director Rob Dixon says that Bobby was the first choice to pay tribute to Indy legend Wes Montgomery.
"Bobby is a modern-day jazz icon that has apprenticed with the likes of Tom Browne, Sonny Rollins, and many more great jazz musicians. We couldn’t think of a more perfect nationally-known guitarist to pay homage to Wes Montgomery."
Rain date: Wednesday, July 26
Wes @ 100 - In Our Own Sweet Way: Honoring the Artistic Legacy of Wes Montgomery
In Our Own Sweet Way: Honoring the Artistic Legacy of Wes Montgomery
Featuring Rob Dixon, Manon Voice, Bashiri Asad, Lasana Kazembe, and The Indianapolis Jazz Collective featuring acclaimed guitarist Bobby Broom
Part of the Jazz at The Cabaret Series
Presented by: Links Creative Alliance, Inc.
In Partnership with: The Indianapolis Jazz Foundation
One Night Only:
Saturday, May 13 | 8 PM
Ticket Prices:
Premium 2-tops: $55 | Premium: $50 | Banquettes: $45 | High Cocktail: $35 | Main Floor: $25
Known and celebrated internationally for his creativity and groundbreaking technical innovations, guitarist Wes Montgomery was a transformative musical pioneer who shaped the modern jazz sound. Join us for a special evening in honor of the 2023 Wes Montgomery Centennial Observance. In Our Own Sweet Way is a creative tribute honoring the life, legacy, and creative spirit of Indianapolis native, Wes Montgomery.
The evening features a dynamic fusion of spoken word poetry, vocalese, and live jazz. Rob Dixon & the Indiana Jazz Collective are joined by spoken word artists Manon Voice, Bashiri Asad, and Lasana Kazembe (The Cabaret Artist in Residence) to celebrate the music and living memory of one of the true pioneers and innovators of modern jazz music.
Lasana D. Kazembe is an Assistant Professor at Indiana University-Indianapolis (IUPUI) where he teaches in the School of Education and in the Africana Studies Program. He is a published Poet, Spoken Word Artist, educational consultant, and scholar of Global Black Arts Movements and the Black Radical Tradition in Education. Dr. Kazembe has performed throughout the U.S., and venues in Canada and Africa. His aesthetic sensibilities are steeped in the deep, rich, and sentient genealogy of the African Diasporic experience. With and within this space, he inspects, reflects, and leverages history, memory, meanings, traditions, culture, art, and accumulated folk experiences. His work is interlaced with storied traditions found in jazz, blues, spirituals, hip-hop, and the deep well of Africana/Black American cultural traditions both spoken and written. Dr. Kazembe’s project, The Voodoo of Hell’s Half-Acre: The Travelin’ Genius of Richard Wright, A Blues Poetry Opera, was a poetic meditation on the art, life, and legacy of world-renown author Richard Wright and has been broadcast on public television across the country. Dr. Kazembe’s latest (edited) book, Keeping Peace: Reflections on Life, Legacy, Commitment, and Struggle, was published (2018) by Third World Press Foundation.
Wes @ 100 - Indianapolis Jazz Collective featuring Mimi Fox
Presented by The Indianapolis Jazz Foundation and in celebration of Wes Montgomery's 100th birthday
There is no better way to celebrate great jazz than with the Indianapolis Jazz Collective featuring Rob Dixon, Steve Allee, Greg Artry + Nick Tucker with featured guest artist guitarist Mimi Fox. Join The Jazz Kitchen and these supreme, creative musicians for a night that explores what jazz has to offer through standards, jams and improvisation.
" Beyond her passion and technical virtuosity, Fox plays with a profundity that only results from a lifetime of commitment and total immersion in one's art. " - Guitar Player Magazine
Internationally renowned guitarist/composer/recording artist Mimi Fox has been cited in numerous Downbeat Magazine International Critics Polls and has been recognized by writers and colleagues alike as one of the most eloquent guitarists on today's scene. In one of many feature stories, Jazz Times hailed Mimi as "a blazing fret master who combines be-bop infused lines with an abundance of soul...spinning solos that unfurl with surprise twists like expertly tailored short stories. " In a further nod to Mimi's guitar artistry, and in conjunction with Heritage Guitars' 30th anniversary, the historic Kalamazoo guitar company has rolled out the Mimi Fox Artist Signature model.
"A dazzler from start to finish...remarkable" - Jazz Times
Mimi has performed/recorded with some of the music world's most commanding players, including fellow guitarists Charlie Byrd, Stanley Jordan, and Charlie Hunter, Grammy-nominated saxophonists Branford Marsalis, David Sanchez, Houston Person, and the late Don Lanphere, vocalists Tierney Sutton, Kevin Mahogany, and Janis Siegel (Manhattan Transfer), B3 organ masters Joey DeFrancesco, Barbara Denerlein and Dr. Lonnie Smith, and powerhouse drummers Billy Hart and Terri Lyne Carrington. She has also shared the stage with legends Stevie Wonder, and Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul, and Mary) and toured as a featured artist with Patty Larkin's Vanguard Records-produced La Guitara project. Her YouTube videos have received hundreds of thousands of views.
“Utter mastery, four stars!” - Downbeat Magazine
Indianapolis Jazz Collective featuring Mimi Fox • Wes at 100
Presented by The Indianapolis Jazz Foundation and in celebration of Wes Montgomery's 100th birthday
There is no better way to celebrate great jazz than with the Indianapolis Jazz Collective featuring Rob Dixon, Steve Allee, Greg Artry + Nick Tucker with featured guest artist guitarist Mimi Fox. Join The Jazz Kitchen and these supreme, creative musicians for a night that explores what jazz has to offer through standards, jams and improvisation.
" Beyond her passion and technical virtuosity, Fox plays with a profundity that only results from a lifetime of commitment and total immersion in one's art. " - Guitar Player Magazine
Internationally renowned guitarist/composer/recording artist Mimi Fox has been cited in numerous Downbeat Magazine International Critics Polls and has been recognized by writers and colleagues alike as one of the most eloquent guitarists on today's scene. In one of many feature stories, Jazz Times hailed Mimi as "a blazing fret master who combines be-bop infused lines with an abundance of soul...spinning solos that unfurl with surprise twists like expertly tailored short stories. " In a further nod to Mimi's guitar artistry, and in conjunction with Heritage Guitars' 30th anniversary, the historic Kalamazoo guitar company has rolled out the Mimi Fox Artist Signature model.
"A dazzler from start to finish...remarkable" - Jazz Times
Mimi has performed/recorded with some of the music world's most commanding players, including fellow guitarists Charlie Byrd, Stanley Jordan, and Charlie Hunter, Grammy-nominated saxophonists Branford Marsalis, David Sanchez, Houston Person, and the late Don Lanphere, vocalists Tierney Sutton, Kevin Mahogany, and Janis Siegel (Manhattan Transfer), B3 organ masters Joey DeFrancesco, Barbara Denerlein and Dr. Lonnie Smith, and powerhouse drummers Billy Hart and Terri Lyne Carrington. She has also shared the stage with legends Stevie Wonder, and Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul, and Mary) and toured as a featured artist with Patty Larkin's Vanguard Records-produced La Guitara project. Her YouTube videos have received hundreds of thousands of views.
“Utter mastery, four stars!” - Downbeat Magazine
Wes @ 100 - Indy Now: Tribute to Wes Montgomery w/ Robert Montgomery & Steve Weakley
Watch Indy Now on Fox 59 for a special Tribute to Wes Montgomery. This year is Wes at 100 and we are Celebrating all year long. Enjoy an interview with Robert Montgomery and Steve Weakley on guitar.
Art & Soul Celebration + Wes Montgomery 100-year Tribute
Sponsored by the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation
For 27 years, the Art & Soul festival has honored Black culture and creativity in Indianapolis. This year’s finale celebration will kick off with a Rob Dixon-led tribute to Indianapolis native Wes Montgomery, the late, legendary jazz guitarist who would have turned 100 in March, and showcase the four 2023 Featured Artists.
You can also catch performances by a dozen local musical artists, from Damon Karl (who has opened for Babyface and Ashante) to Staci McCrackin (lead singer of The Flying Toasters and a backup singer in Jim Irsay’s all-star band). Plus: An art exhibition and live painting.
Hall of Fame Launch
The Indianapolis Jazz Hall of Fame is a legacy project curated by the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation. Its mission started in 1998 to recognize, celebrate and remember those who have made significant long-term contributions to the Indianapolis jazz music scene. This list includes a collection of artists ranging from international jazz luminaries to Indy-based innovators who shaped and continue to shape the jazz world. This list includes notable musicians, educators, bandleaders, composers, photographers, and historians. New members are nominated and inducted into the Indianapolis Jazz Hall of Fame each year.