IPR’s Quarterly Jazz Digest
Wes Montgomery
The word “jazz” to most people invokes visions of smoke-filled clubs in New York City or Chicago. Or perhaps raucous street parades in New Orleans. But Indiana? Yes, unbeknownst to many, Indiana has a rich heritage in the history of American jazz and has been the birthplace for many well-known jazz artists.
On Saturday, September 24 from 8 to 10 p.m., BlueNotes will present a special revue of Indiana jazz featuring artists born in the Hoosier state or who called Indiana home. Included in the program are numerous historical recordings from the early 20th century along with a rare recording of Cole Porter playing piano and singing “Anything Goes.”
The history of jazz in Indiana closely parallels the growth of jazz across the United States, starting with ragtime and evolving through the early social orchestras and dance bands of the 1920s. From the pre-World War I Hoosier ragtime composers, many of whom were women, the program will feature the Queen of Hoosier Ragtime, May Aufderheide, as well as J. Russell Robinson who went on to greater jazz fame as a member of the Original Dixieland Jass Band, the first jazz group to release a commercial jazz recording in the U.S. Blues and ragtime musician Jesse Crump who lived and played in Muncie for twenty years beginning in 1930 is also included. Early recordings from Hoagy Carmichael and the novelty group the Hoosier Hot Shots, who were popular throughout America during the 1930s and ’40s, will be showcased. The impact of Gennett Records, a little recording outfit in Richmond, will be examined. Gennett made history during the 1920’s by recording artists the major record labels refused to sign. Many of these groups were prominent African- American bands performing at a time when big record companies were not interested in “race records.” Artists who recorded in Richmond included King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, and Jelly Roll Morton. On several occasions, even the infamous Bix Beiderbecke travelled to Richmond to record.
The program will also spotlight more contemporary Hoosier jazz artists including Indianapolis native Wes Montgomery and his brothers Buddy and Monk. A special treat are the recently released recordings Wes Montgomery made during a live jazz club appearance in Indianapolis in January of 1959 with the Eddie Higgins Trio.
For information, contact Larry Beck, [email protected]
