A double bill of jazz with a soulful, rootsy, bluesy slant straight from the Heartland.

Charlie Ballantine
Fresh off his newly released CD “Where’s My Mind” brings a taste of jazz, blues, Americana, roots and more. Named Indianapolis’ “Best Jazz Musician” of 2015 & 16 by NUVO Magazine. His music stems from the traditions of folk, jazz, and blues music with influences such as Bill Frisell, John Scofield, Wes Montgomery, and Jimi Hendrix.

The Blue Side
Internationally acclaimed singers Gordon Bonham (also on guitar), and Tad Robinson (also on harmonica) + Kevin Anker on B3 organ, saxophonist Rob Dixon and drummer Kenny Phelps make up The Blue Side.

Gordon Bonham a key player in the Indiana blues scene with experiences ranging from formative stints in Chicago, Austin, TX, to touring Europe and playing with blues legends Pinetop Perkins, Robert Lockwood, Jr., Matt “Guitar” Murphy, Jimmy Walker, Bo Diddley and Yank Rachell.

Tad Robinson is the modern voice of soul blues. From his Manhattan roots and his Indiana and Chicago musical upbringing, Tad has caught the attention of the world with his seven Blues Music Award nominations (the Grammy’s of blues music) and his many recordings. Blessed with harmonica chops schooled by Big and Little Walter, Sonny Boy I and II, Junior Wells, James Cotton and vocals that compare to Otis Redding, Syl Johnson, Al Green, Teddy Pendergrass, Tad is a treasured part of the blues scene.

The band backing this stellar collection of Indy legends is comprised of some of the most in demand Indianapolis sidemen, the great Kenny Phelps on drums (Dee Dee Bridgewater, Melvin Rhyne, Roy Meriwether, Cynthia Layne), Rob Dixon on saxophone (The Headhunters, Mike Clark, Illinois Jaquet, Melvin Rhyne, Cynthia Layne), Kevin Anker on organ, (Delbert McClinton, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Cynthia Layne) & Reggie Bishop on keys.

About Indy Jazz Fest

Indy Jazz Fest is the preeminent performance event of the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation. A celebration of community and culture that showcases jazz music in a variety of great venues across the city, Indy Jazz Fest will ultimately reach upwards of 34,000 people through a combination of performances, workshops, school concerts, master classes, and community partnerships, as an integral cog in the Indianapolis arts scene. Indy Jazz Fest has become a cultural icon since its start in 1999. With an increased emphasis on jazz education, Indy Jazz Fest has expanded from just one day to an entire experience, ultimately benefiting the Indianapolis arts community throughout the year by creating meaningful links between jazz education and the city’s jazz performance scene.

The 2018 Indy Jazz Fest will take place September 13-22, 2018. For more information, visit www.indyjazzfest.net.