Naptown Jazz 5 explores Indiana jazz history

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

           
The most unique offering at the 2009 Purdue Jazz Festival is a performance by the Naptown Jazz 5, a group dedicated to exploring and presenting Indiana’s jazz history. They will perform at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, in the Anniversary Drawing Room of the Purdue Union.

 

Led by trumpeter Steve Robinett, director of jazz studies at Wabash and St. Joseph’s colleges and a frequent adjudicator for the Purdue Jazz Festival’s annual competition, the group looks at Indiana history through the lens of its jazz.

 

The band takes its audience on a musical journey through time beginning with early 1900s Ragtime. The performance includes a 1920s blues piece from Richmond, swing music from northern Indiana in the 1930s and jazz tunes made famous by Wes Montgomery, J.J. Johnson and David Baker on Indianapolis’ Indiana Ave in the 1950s and 60s.

 

The 50-minute show also includes the Hoosier favorite, “Back Home Again in Indiana” and original pieces composed by members of the quintet.

 

Young Audiences of Indiana sponsors the program which has been presented throughout the state. It is based on the Duncan Schiedt book, “The Jazz State of Indiana” and CDs by the late Indiana percussionist, and Purdue Jazz Festival supporter, Jack Gilfoy.

 

It is one of several Jazz Festival clinics offered throughout the day on Jan. 17. All are free and open to the public.

 

Forward to a Friend

---