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Robinson, Williams to perform at Jazz Fest salute to Indiana composers Friday, Saturday
INDIANAPOLIS -- When the Marsh Symphony on the Prairie focuses on jazz for the first time in its 32-year history, a couple of well-known Greencastle musicians will lend their considerable talents to the occasion.
With jazz the focal point this Friday and Saturday on the Conner Prairie Amphitheatre stage, vocalist and blues harp man Tad Robinson of Greencastle will be among the performers, along with guitar aficionado Sandy Williams, a Greencastle product.
Created and presented by the Indy Jazz Fest, "A Salute to Indiana Composers" is set for 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Connor Prairie, north of Indianapolis.
Robinson, a Severen Records recording artist known for resounding performances whether he's on the international stage somewhere in Europe or in the friendly confines of The Swizzle Stick in Greencastle, has been nominated for seven Blues Awards since 2005.
His vocal style "owes obvious debt to vintage era Al Green and other soul sophisticates but he blows blues harp with the rough-hewn exuberance of a postwar Chicago juker," organizers note.
Williams, one of the founding members of the Greencastle group Average House Band, has studied improvising and composition with legendary jazz composer/theorist George Russell. His jazz studies also include time spent at Indiana with famed jazz educator David Baker.
An adjunct professor of music at DePauw University, Wiliams has performed or recorded with Lalo Schifrin, Carl Anderson, Eddie Money, Lou Graham, Martha Reeves, Suzanne Somers, the Larry Elgart Big Band, famed British pop singer Paul Carreck, Rita Moreno, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, gospel artist Ray Boltz and Steve Earle.
His recent activities have included live performances with Michael Feinstein and a studio project with John Mellencamp with an upcoming Aug. 9-10 gig in Greencastle with his old AHB bandmates.
Narrated by Tom Griswold of "Bob and Tom Show" fame, the concert will highlight the music of the great composers of Indiana throughout history, including Cole Porter, Hoagy Carmichael, Wes Montgomery, Freddie Hubbard, John Mellencamp and even Michael Jackson.
In addition to Robinson and Williams, the program will feature a talented slate of musicians, several of whom have performed in Greencastle during the annual Crown Street Jazz Festival or other occasions.
Fox example, sax man Rob Dixon, the co-music director for the show, has played Crown Street in recent year, including an appearance last year with the group Sandy Williams and Friends.
A product of Indiana University's School of Music, Dixon moved to the top of the music world in New York City, playing with legendary and popular artists such as the Count Basie Band, Tony Bennett, The Ellington Band, Slide Hampton, Dakota Stanton, Rufus Reid, the Maria Schnieder Orchestra, Jonah Jones as well as Bill Lee (composer and father of Spike Lee), The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and guitarist Melvin Sparks.
Another performer who had played in Greencastle is Kevin Anker, the Indy soul-jazz-blues keyboardist best known for his work with blues men Tad Robinson and Gordon Bonham. Anker is considered equally adept at jazz, blues and beyond.
Other musicians set to perform this weekend are Steve Allee, piano; Scott Belk, trumpet; Larry Crane, guitar; Everett Greene, vocals; Cynthia Layne, vocals; Brandon Meeks, bass; and Kenny Phelps, drums.
Gates will open at 6 p.m. each evening. Tickets are $28 at the gate ($23 in advance) for adults, with children (ages 2-12) at $14 ($12 in advance).
Tickets may be purchased at any Marsh or O'Malia's location, by calling the Hilbert Circle Theatre Box Office at (317) 639-4300, toll free at (800) 366-8457, or by visiting the ISO's website at www.IndianapolisSymphony.org.
Patrons can bring their own food, beverages (including alcohol) and blankets or lawn chairs to enjoy picnicking to the music on the natural grass amphitheater or reserve a table for only $59 with seating for up to 10 people near the stage.