Trio kicks off Jazz in July series at IU Art Museum

Equipped with paper fans and various refreshments, audience members braved the extreme heat Friday evening to see the Andy Cobine Trio kick off the Jazz in July concert series.

The Jazz in July concerts are held every Friday in July on the IU Art Museum’s Sculpture Terrace from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

White folding chairs set up on the terrace faced the stage where the Cobine Trio played a set of jazz standards and original songs for audience members.

Attendees filled up on Pizza X pizza, beverages from Oliver Winery and Bloomington Brewing Company and Italian ice from Grazie! Italian Eatery.

The Jazz in July series has been around for more than 20 years. Anita DeCastro, manager of events at the museum, was responsible for all event logistics for this year’s concert series.

DeCastro wanted to create a program for the series that showcased different styles of jazz. Although she had the option of booking regional artists for the concerts, DeCastro chose local talent.

“I believe this is one of the biggest jazz events in town,” DeCastro said. “I like to look for local acts because they are phenomenal.”

Event organizers provided handheld paper fans, and a misting station was set up to help keep the audience cool.

Despite the heat, the Cobine Trio took minimal breaks during the set, battling sweat and sticky fingers on guitar strings.

The trio consists of guitarist Andy Cobine, bassist Steve Mascari and drummer Jamey Reid.

The Cobine Trio has been together for five years and plays at local Bloomington venues.

The trio is inspired by all different types of music and enjoys exploring the groove, rhythm and different angles of the jazz genre.

“It really is about having fun and developing the music together,” Cobine said.

This is the trio’s first time playing at Jazz in July, and the members said they hope to again next year.

“One of the reasons for the event is to get more people to come over to the museum, and I’m glad to help with that,” Cobine said. “We really like the event and love the crowd and the turnout.”

During the show, Cobine said he appreciated the 40 or 50 people in the audience that returned after the band took a quick break, endured the heat and stayed until the end of the concert.

“We enjoyed the event and plowed through the heat,” Cobine said. “But the museum really should consider the extreme weather.”

Husband and wife Doug and Isabel Williams, Bloomington residents, attended the concert Friday evening after participating in the Gallerywalk downtown.

The Williamses said they enjoyed the event but thought the Showalter Fountain outside the Art Museum might be a cooler location than the all-concrete terrace.

“It would be nice to have it by the fountain,” Isabel said. “And even more people would come because they would be passing by.”

The Mahluli-McCutchen Quartet will perform July 13.

The Gallery of the Art of the Western World will be open 5:30 to 9 p.m. at each event to showcase the art of Willi Baumeister. His print “Allegro” is the poster image for the Jazz in July series.