INDIANAPOLIS — A mainstay in the Indianapolis arts and culture scene, the annual Indy Jazz Fest returns in 2016 with a 10-day lineup celebrating the legendary Indianapolis native and GRAMMY Award winner Wes Montgomery (1923-1968), widely known as one of the foremost innovators and performers in jazz.

Indy Jazz Fest will once again be in venues “All Around Town” September 15-24, featuring performances at the IUPUI Campus Center, the historic Madame Walker Theatre, Indiana Landmarks Center, Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center, Indianapolis Central Library, Main Street in Speedway, The Jazz Kitchen and Chatterbox Jazz Club.

“Wes Montgomery is a shining example of Indianapolis’ rich musical legacy,” said Indy Jazz Fest Director David Allee. “Wes’ music and innovations are a rite of passage for any jazz musician and along with his talented family and the community of Indiana Avenue musicians, their music brought forth a revolutionary sound that is emulated and celebrated worldwide to this day.”
The 2016 Indy Jazz Fest featured lineup will include the following, with additional artists to be announced soon.

Thursday, September 15 – 5-8 p.m.
Indy Jazz Fest “Let’s Get Excited” Party
Sponsored by Tom Wood Automotive Group & Faegre Baker Daniels
Indiana Landmarks Center – 1201 N. Central Ave.
Tickets: $20, FREE for Indianapolis Jazz Foundation Members
Friday, September 16 – 7:30 p.m. & 10 p.m.
Jazz En Dominicana | Yasser Tejeda & Palotré
The Jazz Kitchen – 5377 N. College Ave.
Tickets: $20 ($30 – front row table)
Friday, September 16 – 8 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.)
Norman Brown | Smooth Jazz Guitar Icon
Sponsored by Eskenazi Health
Madame Walker Theatre – 617 Indiana Ave.
Tickets: $85, $65, $40, $20
Free Parking North of the Theater Center
Saturday, September 17 – 1-8 p.m.
Remembering Wes Celebration Presented by IUPUI
An event of the Indiana Bicentennial Celebration
Sponsored by IUPUI & REI Real Estate
IUPUI Campus Center – 420 University Blvd
4 floors | 5 stages | 30+ bands
Tickets:
Lobby concerts, exhibits, discussions – FREE
Main Performances – $25 adults | $10 students
VIP – All shows + hors d’oeuvres – $150 (limited to 100 people)
Sunday, September 18 – 3 p.m.
Pavel & Direct Contact | Africa – Clave Without Borders
Sponsored by Eskenazi Health, IndyGo, & Indianapolis Marion County Library
Indianapolis Central Library – 40 E St. Clair St.
Tickets: Free

Guest Artist Kwesi Brown from Sweet Poison Victim
Hosted by Rafael Sanchez from RTV6
A historic musical journey exploring the roots of clave and its development from Africa to the Caribbean and back.

Sunday, September 18 – 6:30 p.m. & 8 p.m.
Russell Malone Quartet
Sponsored by The Law Firm of Foley & Abbott
The Jazz Kitchen – 5377 N. College Ave.
Tickets: $25 ($35 front row table)

Wednesday, September 21 – 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.
Ravi Coltrane Quartet
Sponsored by Van Riper Woodard Family Foundation
The Jazz Kitchen – 5377 N. College Ave.
Tickets: $30 ($40 front row table)
Thursday, September 22 – 6 p.m.
Indy Jazz Fest Band presents “The Indianapolis Sound”
Sponsored by 88.7 WICR
Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center – 1400 E. Hanna Ave.
Tickets: FREE
Friday, September 23 – 6-10 p.m.
Jazz in Speedway Sponsored by Speedway Chamber of Commerce,
Dallara Indy Car Factory & Lino’s Coffee
Main Street, Speedway / Dallara IndyCar Factory
Tickets: FREE
Friday, September 23 – 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.
Sullivan Fortner Trio
Sponsored by REI Real Estate & American Pianists Association
The Jazz Kitchen – 5377 N. College Ave.
Tickets:
7p | $30 ($40 front row table)
9:30p | $20 ($30 front row table)
Friday, September 23 – 8 p.m.
Saturday, September 24 – 7 p.m.
Allan Harris – Nobody’s Gonna Love You Better
Sponsored by Morris Machine Co, Inc. | Chris Morris & James Gibson
The Cabaret at the Columbia Club – 121 Monument Circle, Suite 516
Tickets: $65/$55/$45/$35 + $12 Food or beverage minimum
Saturday, September 24 – 3 p.m.-midnight
Indy Jazz Fest Block Party
Sponsored by Eskenazi Health & Printing Partners
The Jazz Kitchen & Yats – 54th & College Ave.
Tickets: $20 per person / $10 after 9:30p (at the door only)
Tickets
Tickets for the 2016 Indy Jazz Fest are on sale now and available here.