Get ready for an unforgettable musical experience! Each Concert & Jam show in the series kicks off with a 45-minute concert featuring top local jazz artists, showcasing a variety of exciting styles. After the concert, join Emma Hedrick and Christopher Pitts for a lively 45-minute jam session open to all levels—everyone is welcome to play!
PERFORMERS
Emma Hedrick is a 7-time DownBeat award-winning, vocalist, composer, and bandleader from the Indianapolis area. She began her musical career as a part of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir while in elementary school. She then got her start in jazz in the Butler Youth Jazz Program and the Indy Jazz Futures led by Rob Dixon, the “musical-mayor” of Indianapolis. She won third place in the International Ella Fitzgerald Vocal Competition in 2019 and her compositions have won Honorable Mention in the Jazz Education Network’s Young Composer Showcase (2023) as well as Semi-Finalist in the International Songwriting Competition (2023).
Pianist composer and educator, Christopher Pitts, is focused on connecting the deep roots of the jazz piano tradition with modern sensibilities through energetic performance, thoughtful collaboration, and aesthetic focused compositions. Christopher has been honored to be an Art and Soul Alumni, Gritty Vibes Magazine 2021 Top 30 “Black Creative To Watch”, and received the “Awesomeness Award” nomination for his production for Spirit and Place Festival.
Todd Williams Trio
Originally known for his saxophone and clarinet performance with the Wynton Marsalis Quintet, Septet, and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Todd Williams has also held such positions as Assistant Professor of music at Queens College and Music Director of Times Square Church. Todd has performed at most every prestigious venue from the White House to Carnegie Hall to the Hollywood Bowl. Extensive recording with Marsalis and guest appearances with such artists as Sir Roland Hanna, the Newburgh Symphony Orchestra, and Christian McBride, decorate his list of accomplishments.
CONCERT & JAM SERIES
Tuesdays | 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Weekly jazz concerts and jam sessions.
August 13 | Todd Williams Trio
August 20 | Hickey-Shanafelt 9ollective
September 10 | Brandon Meeks Quartet
September 17 | Emma Hedrick and Christopher Pitts
WANT TO JAM WITH THE BAND?
Each week will feature a suggested list of tunes, and everyone is encouraged to learn one or two songs from this list to bring to the jam!
Jam Session Suggested Tunes:
- All the Things You Are (Ab)
- Blue Monk (Bb)
- Just You, Just Me (Eb)
- Have You Met Miss Jones (F)
- Our Love is Here to Stay (F)
GETTING TO THE ARTSGARDEN
- The Red Parking Garage (48 W Washington St) is the closest garage to the venue. As you’re heading west on Washington St., enter the garage using the down ramp to your left just past Meridian St.
- After parking, take the elevators or escalators to level M2 and follow signs to the Artsgarden.
- Click here for additional parking options at or near Circle Centre Mall.
