Indy Jazz Fest

Overview

Celebrate Indiana’s legacy of jazz at the Indy Jazz Festival! The 2026 season focuses on community, diversity, and the power of jazz to bring people together. It is the diverse and vibrant community of musicians, fans, and supporters that has made the festival a beloved tradition for over 25 years.

This year's lineup features international stars, modern masters, and Indy-based creators. Headliners include world-renowned drumming tour de force Sheila E., funk-forward visionary bassist MonoNeon, groove-heavy multi-instrumentalist Karl Denson, Indy’s own Brandon Meeks, and many more.

Driven by a commitment to celebrating the Indianapolis jazz scene, Indy Jazz Fest returns with its "All Around Town" model across iconic venues. The festival starts with intimate, indoor Sunset Series concerts highlighting world-class performers and Indy-based favorites alike. The celebration culminates in Broad Ripple with the Grand Finale at the Indy Art Center and Opti Park, bringing the entire city-wide experience together to two expanded outdoor stages.

“The Indy Art Center is thrilled to host the Indy Jazz Fest Grand Finale,” said Indy Art Center President & CEO Mark Williams. “Attendees will be among the first to see the revitalized ARTSPARK after a $3.6 million renovation that includes new and restored public art, a fully accessible trail system, and new landscaping and terraces. It’s the perfect setting for one of Indy’s premier music events, and fulfills the recent community conversations about bringing more cultural events and activations back to our Broad Ripple community.”

“By pairing global icons with homegrown artists, we create an unforgettable festival experience that directly fuels our local creative ecosystem,” said Indy Jazz Fest Artistic Director Rob Dixon.

Schedule of Events:

SUNSET SERIES

• Tuesday, September 22 | 6 and 8:30 pm | $30-$60
  The Jazz Kitchen • 5377 N College Avenue
  MILES AT 100 featuring THE INDIANAPOLIS JAZZ COLLECTIVE
  The Indianapolis Jazz Collective comes together for an exceptional evening celebrating the centennial legacy of a true musical icon: Miles Davis at 100. Featuring an all-star lineup of the city's elite jazz talent, this powerhouse ensemble will trace the historic evolution of Davis’s groundbreaking career. From the perfection of Kind of Blue to his bold, experimental eras, the Collective honors the legendary trumpeter’s spirit of reinvention with virtuosic improvisation and a deep, hard-swinging pocket.
• Wednesday, September 23 | 6 and 8:30 pm | $30-$60
  The Jazz Kitchen • 5377 N College Avenue
  COLTRANE AT 100 featuring THE INDIANAPOLIS JAZZ COLLECTIVE
  Night 2 with the Indianapolis Jazz Collective delivers a commanding tribute to a titanic force in music history with John Coltrane at 100. The ensemble dives deep into the spiritual and technical evolution of Coltrane’s genius. The performance moves seamlessly from the complex, high-velocity architecture of Giant Steps to the transcendent, soaring modal themes of A Love Supreme. Expect a night of fierce intensity, relentless innovation, and brilliant improvisation as the city's premier players channel the raw energy of a jazz revolutionary.
• Friday, September 25 | 8 pm | $60-$90
  The Cabaret • 924 N Pennsylvania St Ste B
  NICOLE ZURAITIS Presented by The Cabaret
  Two-time Grammy-winning jazz vocalist, pianist, and songwriter Nicole Zuraitis brings her powerhouse vocals and infectious energy to the stage. As the first artist to win the Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album for a project (How Love Begins), Zuraitis seamlessly blends jazz, pop, and soul into a compelling "Modern Songbook." Her dynamic performances fuse staggering musical brilliance with an undeniable, heartfelt connection to her audience.
• Friday, September 25 | 8 pm | $60
  The Vogue • 6259 N College Ave
  THE BIG BEAT Live Soul-Funk Meets Electronic Beats
  featuring Nate Smith + The Nth Power + Break Science
  Powered by Percussive Arts Society
  This exclusive one-off special event unites the unstoppable, sharp-edged precision of Nate Smith, the deep-groove soul elevation of The Nth Power and the heavy hip-hop break beats of Break Science.
  • Nate Smith is a Grammy Award-winning polymath musician — bandleader, composer, producer, and virtuosic drummer — whose groundbreaking work as a recording artist and performer in multiple genres has made him a unique figure in popular culture and one of the most in-demand players of our generation.
  • The Nth Power features female powerhouse Nikki Glaspie, Beyonce’s world-touring drummer for five years before she joined Ivan Neville's New Orleans funk outfit, Dumpstaphunk. Bassist Nate Edgar (Groovechild, John Brown's Body) perfectly compliments singer and guitarist Nick Cassarino (Jennifer Hartswick Band, Big Daddy Kane.)
  • Steeped in the traditions of East Coast hip hop and futuristic soundwaves of the now, the Denver-based duo Break Science continues to scale creative mountains. Composed of keyboardist/producer/jazz pianist Borahm Lee (Pretty Lights Live Band) and funk/hip-hop drummer extraordinaire Adam Deitch (Lettuce, AWB, Meshell Ndegeocello), Break Science traces roots to the embryonic seeds that flowered the electro-soul movement.

• Friday, September 25 | 7 and 9:30 pm | $35-$90
  The Jazz Kitchen • 5377 N College Avenue
  TITO PUENTE JR. & NÉSTOR TORRES
  The dynamic Tito Puente Jr. and Grammy-winning flautist Néstor Torres come together for an electrifying evening of Latin jazz. Passionately carrying on his legendary father's legacy, Puente Jr. brings classic and contemporary mambo and salsa rhythms to life, while Torres weaves together Latin jazz, pop, and classical influences with extraordinary virtuosity. Together, these celebrated musicians ignite the stage, blending fiery rhythms, virtuosic melodies, and undeniable charisma for a high-energy performance that fuses tradition with innovation.

• INDY JAZZ FEST GRAND FINALE
  Saturday, September 26 | Gates at 1 pm | Music starts at 2 pm
  Indy Art Center / Opti Park | 820 E 67th Street, Indianapolis, IN, 46220
  Two Stages, Food Trucks, Indy Jazz Legacy Exhibits, Family Friendly
  Kids 14 & Under | FREE
  • SHEILA E. & THE E-TRAIN - The legendary Queen of Percussion, Sheila E., brings her explosive energy, world-class drumming, and fierce showmanship to the stage for an unforgettable, high-octane performance. A multi-talented tour de force who famously collaborated with Prince, Marvin Gaye, and Beyoncé, she seamlessly fuses Latin jazz, R&B, funk, and pop into a brilliant, dance-heavy showcase. Backed by a stellar band, this Grammy-nominated icon delivers iconic hits and deep grooves with a mastery that has captivated global audiences for decades.
  • MONONEON - Known for his infectious, futuristic groove and unmistakable visual style, Grammy-winning bassist and avant-garde visionary MonoNeon commands the stage with his signature Southern soul-funk. One of the last musicians to collaborate closely with Prince, this soul-infused funkmaster has captivated global audiences and top-tier artists alike with his mastery and upside-down slap technique. Delivering an electric blend of heavy funk, hip-hop, and experimental jazz, MonoNeon anchors a relentless pocket for an unpredictable, boundary-pushing performance.
  • KARL DENSON’S TINY UNIVERSE - Powerhouse saxophonist, flautist, and funk-rock icon Karl Denson brings his legendary, high-octane project, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, for an explosive evening of hard-hitting soul-jazz. Famed for his work as the touring saxophonist for The Rolling Stones, Denson is a master frontman renowned for his driving rhythms and brilliant improvisation. Leading this razor-sharp ensemble, he delivers a relentless, dance-heavy showcase that seamlessly bridges the raw energy of rock with the deep pockets of classic acid-jazz.
  • RICK BRAUN PLAYS CHUCK MANGIONE - With over three decades of genre-defining music and more than 20 number-one hits, master trumpeter Rick Braun brings his signature tone to a heartfelt celebration of an icon. In Rick Braun Plays Chuck Mangione, he delivers a unique tribute that captures the emotional warmth and cinematic melodies of Mangione's legendary catalog. Blending classic arrangements with a contemporary energy, Braun breathes fresh life into timeless favorites.
  • BRANDON MEEKS - For nearly 20 years, award-winning bassist Brandon Meeks has been a pillar of Indianapolis’ jazz scene, collaborating with national icons like Robert Glasper and Thundercat. Fresh off receiving the 2026 Creative Capital “State of the Art Prize,” Meeks leads a dynamic collective that fuses classic straight-ahead jazz with a 21st-century hip-hop aesthetic. Inspired by visionaries like Roy Hargrove and Madlib, this performance is an uplifting, streetwise celebration of the rich legacy of Indy jazz.
  • CHARLIE HUNTER TRIO - Guitarist and composer Charlie Hunter has been one of contemporary music’s most inventive forces, fusing jazz, funk, and blues. Renowned for his pioneering mastery of custom 7- and 8-string hybrid guitars, he famously plays bass lines, chords, and melodies simultaneously to create an unmatched, groove-driven sound. With over 20 albums to his name, Hunter is a legendary collaborator whose genre-spanning work includes landmark recordings with D'Angelo, Norah Jones, and John Mayer.
  • BASHIRI ASAD - Known as the “Everyday Soul Singer,” Indianapolis vocalist Bashiri Asad is the pioneer of “IndySoul”—a hard-hitting blend of jazz, funk, and R&B. Armed with a commanding voice reminiscent of Donny Hathaway and Stevie Wonder, the current Artist in Residence at The Cabaret is a fixture of the independent music scene. On stage, Asad delivers a deeply authentic, relentless performance, packing venues with his original music and acclaimed tribute suites.
  • STRYKER / DIXON / FRIBUSH / FLOYD - A tip of the hat to the soul jazz sounds of Indiana Avenue with a nod to Wes Montgomery & Freddie Hubbard. This brand new “From the 317” project to be released in 2026 features a luminous cast of heavy hitters including guitarist Dave Stryker (Stanley Turrentine, Jack McDuff), saxophonist Rob Dixon (Count Basie, Charlie Hunter), B3 organist Sam Fribush (Adam Deitch, Charlie Hunter) and drummer Richard “Sleepy” Floyd (Phonte & Nicolay, DJ Logic)
  • JARED THOMPSON & PREMIUM BLEND - The modern jazz quintet Premium Blend seamlessly fuses classic Blue Note tradition with deep hip-hop and R&B grooves. Renowned for high-energy original compositions, the ensemble has collaborated with cinematic icons and earned widespread acclaim for their award-winning documentary, 38th & Postmodernism. Driven by a signature, soulful sound, Premium Blend delivers an electrifying live experience that pushes the boundaries of modern groove.
  • SEAN IMBODEN LARGE ENSEMBLE - The Sean Imboden Large Ensemble (SILE) is a dynamic 17-piece big band that reimagines traditional large-ensemble jazz for the 21st century. Led by acclaimed saxophonist and composer Sean Imboden, the group is celebrated for its bold original compositions, intricate arrangements, and explosive collective energy. Following their internationally acclaimed 2025 debut album, SILE delivers a thrilling performance that honors the legacy of the big band tradition while charting an exciting path forward.

• INDY JAZZ FEST AFTERSET
  Saturday, September 26 | 10:30 pm | Tickets start at $40 | 21+
  Turntable | 6281 N College Ave, Indianapolis, IN, 46220
  Fonville x Fribush - Fonville x Fribush is the collaborative project of drummer Corey Fonville (Butcher Brown) and organist Sam Fribush (Charlie Hunter, Adam Deitch). Delivering a self-described "blue-collar jazz" sound, the duo revitalizes the traditional organ-trio format alongside a rotating cast of elite guitarists. Blending the nostalgic warmth of a vintage Hammond organ with heavy hip-hop grooves and R&B, they serve up a fresh and highly infectious live experience.
• Expect a plethora of additional national and Indy-based invited guests.