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Indy Jazz Fest returns September 9-20 with lineup featuring Brian Culbertson, Terence Blanchard, Nicole Henry ft. the Indy Jazz Fest All-stars

  • Writer: Joey Amato
    Joey Amato
  • 3 days ago
  • 5 min read
Indy Jazz Fest
Brandee Younger

The premier event of the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation, Indy Jazz Fest presented by Citizens Energy Group returns September 9-20 with a lineup of international stars, modern masters and Indy-based creators. Headliners include smooth jazz piano sensation Brian Culbertson, trumpet icon Terence Blanchard, vocalist Nicole Henry, and many more.


Indy Jazz Fest continues its “All Around Town” model with its popular Sunset Series, an exciting line-up of nighttime concerts in intimate jazz and cabaret venues featuring world-class jazz performers and an up-close listening experience. Indy Jazz Fest will once again culminate with its Grand Finale event in downtown Indianapolis at Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park. “Indy Jazz Fest is excited to once again feature a collection of performers from international stars to Indy-based treasures,” said Indy Jazz Fest Director David Allee. “We strive to program a wide selection of styles under the ‘jazz’ umbrella, appealing to many demographics throughout the community, and encourage people to use this opportunity to experience perennial favorites and explore new sounds.”


Ticket Information


Indy Jazz Fest 2025 Schedule of Events 

SUNSET SERIES 

  • Tuesday & Wednesday, September 9 & 10 | 6:30 & 9p | $30 to $60

    The Jazz Kitchen • 5377 N College Avenue

    KENNY GARRETT

    Pioneering saxophonist and NEA Jazz Master Kenny Garrett is known for blending straight-ahead, gospel, and global rhythms into his music. His dynamic and soulful performances resonate deeply with audiences, establishing him as a titan of contemporary jazz. He has collaborated with legends like Miles Davis, Art Blakey, and Duke Ellington, while also achieving recognition as a leading solo artist and one of the most influential figures in modern jazz.


     

  • Friday, September 12 | 7 & 9:30p | $25 to $40

    The Jazz Kitchen • 5377 N College Avenue

    CHARLIE & THE TROPICALES featuring MIREYA RAMOS

    Charlie & The Tropicales bring a 1950's Caribbean hotel party to life with torrid horns, tropical rhythms, infectious grooves with a nod to New Orleans sound. With Grammy winning vocalist and violinist Mireya Ramos of Flor de Toloache fronting the band, Mireya lends her voice to the Tropicales' take on New Orleans music done rocksteady, classic cumbias, and her violin to traditional calypsos, and melodies from Cuba, Trinidad, and Venezuela.


     

  • Saturday, September 13 |  5p - 11p | Tickets start at $50

    The Jazz Kitchen • 5377 N College Avenue

    NAPTOWN BLOCK PARTY

    This signature event highlights Indy’s vast talent both established and emerging. One-off performances and established favorites weave throughout the night for this high-energy jazz party on two stages!


     

  • Sunday, September 14 | 6p | $30 to $60

    The Jazz Kitchen • 5377 N College Avenue

    IU AFRICANA STUDIES presents JAZZ MEETS SAMBA : AN AFRO BRAZILIAN JOURNEY featuring MAGARY LORD, JULIANA RIBEIRO, AND LASANA KAZEMBE

    IU Africana Studies presents an exciting evening exploring intersections of sound, celebrating the Afro-Brazilian roots of samba with electrifying musicians Juliana Ribeiro and Magary Lord, accompanied by the Rob Dixon Quintet. The evening also features a dynamic performance of artistry and healing through spoken word and jazz, with Emmy Award-winning poet Lasana D. Kazembe and his ensemble, Watu Wazuri. Expect an evening filled with energy, passion, cultural insight, and artistic improvisation.


     

  • Tuesday, September 16 | 6:30 & 9p | $25 to $50

    The Jazz Kitchen • 5377 N College Avenue

    INDIANAPOLIS JAZZ COLLECTIVE

    The Indianapolis Jazz Collective is an all-star group of the city’s finest jazz musicians. Led by Indy Jazz Fest Artistic Director Rob Dixon, the collective often features special guest soloists and notable figures in the jazz world. They curate unique collaborations, and in the past, have included artists such as Bobby Watson, Stefon Harris, and Randy Brecker.


     

  • Wednesday, September 17 | 6 & 8:30p | $30 to $60

    The Jazz Kitchen • 5377 N College Avenue

    BRANDEE YOUNGER

    Grammy-nominated harpist Brandee Younger is revolutionizing the harp for the digital era. She seamlessly blends genres from classical to R&B to jazz, drawing inspiration from pioneering jazz harpists Dorothy Ashby and Alice Coltrane, while forging her own distinct sound. In 2022, she made history by becoming the first Black woman to be nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition. Her live shows are a testament to her love for the instrument and her cross-reaching ability as a musician, making for a captivating and unforgettable performance.


     

  • Wednesday, September 17 | 8p

    The Cabaret • 924 N Pennsylvania St Suite B

    GUNHILD CARLING

    Swedish musical sensation Gunhild Carling is celebrated for her energetic performances and impressive versatility. She sings and plays over a dozen instruments, including trombone, trumpet, bagpipes, piano, and harp, often showcasing multiple skills like tap dancing and juggling during her shows. Carling is known for her mastery of vintage jazz, often performing swinging standards and her own compositions, and has gained international recognition through her touring and viral videos, including collaborations with Postmodern Jukebox.


     

  • Friday, September 19 |  7 & 9:30p | $35 to $55

    The Jazz Kitchen • 5377 N College Avenue

    KEYON HARROLD

    Grammy-winning trumpeter and vocalist Keyon Harrold is widely recognized for his genre-defying approach that seamlessly blends jazz with elements of hip-hop, R&B, and soul. With a successful career like supplying all the trumpet playing in Don Cheadle's critically acclaimed Miles Davis biopic, Miles Ahead, and highly praised solo albums like Foreverland, he's a highly sought-after collaborator, having worked with an impressive roster of artists such as Robert Glasper, Beyoncé, Erykah Badu, and Common, solidifying his reputation as a versatile and impactful force in contemporary music.


     

INDY JAZZ FEST GRAND FINALE

Saturday, September 20 | Gates open at 3 p.m. | Tickets start at $55Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park • 801 W Washington Street


  • BRIAN CULBERTSON - Smooth jazz sensation Brian Culbertson has carved a unique path in music with 28 albums and 40 Billboard No. 1 singles as a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer. He consistently defies genre labels, shifting seamlessly between funk, R&B, jazz, and New Age. Culbertson consistently presents an eclectic, entertaining and engaging set from an artist at the peak of his power.


  • TERENCE BLANCHARD featuring the E-COLLECTIVE - Grammy-winning and Oscar-nominated Terence Blanchard is a renowned trumpeter, composer, and bandleader. He is a prominent figure in contemporary jazz and known for making powerful musical statements. A frequent collaborator with Spike Lee, Blanchard has scored over 60 films and TV shows, and his opera "Fire Shut Up in My Bones" made history as the first opera by an African American composer to be performed at the Metropolitan Opera.


  • NICOLE HENRY featuring THE INDY JAZZ FEST ALL-STARS - Nicole Henry is a highly acclaimed vocalist known for her powerful and soulful voice, impeccable phrasing, and emotional resonance. Since her debut, she has established herself in the jazz world, earning a Soul Train Award for "Best Traditional Jazz Performance" and achieving four Top -10 jazz albums on Billboard. Henry's versatile repertoire spans the American Songbook, classic and contemporary jazz, popular standards, and blues.


More info at www.indyjazzfest.net. 


Photo Credit Erin Patrice O'Brien

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