Jazz Fest this Weekend
There are a couple of acts worth noting for the upcoming Indy Jazz Fest, and they are notable simply because I don’t think they’d be here if not for the festival. Friday’s feature is Bettye Lavette, an underrated soul star whose career is back on the rise. Remember me gushing about Sharon Jones? Same deal here. You could even make a case for as much indie cred (if such a thing is necessary) as Ms. Jones, as Lavette recently recorded an album with the Drive-By Truckers. Definitely make it out for this one.
Saturday’s can’t-miss event is a set from Freddie Hubbard, an Indianapolis native and legit jazz hero that doesn’t book shows around here all that much. This is a must-see.
Be sure to leave some wandering-around time in your schedule, too. I would have missed amazing performances from Cassandra Wilson and Hiromi’s Sonicbloom at previous festivals if I’d stuck to a strict schedule.
Rob G. and I talk more about this (and other various and sundry topics) on the new IMN podcast - download here or listen at the site. Please forgive the Insane Clown Posse content - it wasn’t my fault.
June 12th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Too bad Freddie’s chops don’t allow him to perform much anymore, but if he’s having a good day you can still catch glimpses of the old spark. I assuming he’s playing with the New Jazz Composers Octet, that band is phenomenal.
June 13th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Freddie’s Red Clay is such a bad-ass tune, and one of my favorte basslines ever. I first heard it in Randy Salman’s jazz history class at ol’ DePauw.
Once I passed the Insane Clown’s tourbus on I-70.
June 13th, 2008 at 9:53 am
@ Lyman - I have no idea about his band, as I think the PR folks were just impressed they got him on the bill.
I’ll take it any way I can get it.
@ Josh - So that school was good for something, eh?
I didn’t see the tour bus, but I got to see the fan lineup outside the Murat on my way home from the gym. Stellar.