Hot club of Naptown heats up July

Art and music lovers came out by the hundreds Friday night to the IU Art Museum for an evening of live music on the Sculpture Terrace. The cost-free event was the last of four performances in the Jazz in July series put on by the museum and other sponsors. Friday night featured the swing and acoustic jazz band, Hot Club of Naptown, a popular Bloomington band which was featured two years ago in the series. \nOther bands that were featured this July included: Harpist Jan Aldridge Clark, an IU Music School graduate who played contemporary smooth jazz, Charlie Smith Project, a guitarist from Indianapolis who presented a combination of jazz standards, original pieces and pop classics, and Monika Herzig Acoustic Project, an internationally recognized jazz musician who preformed original standards and personal arrangements.\nThe assistant director for external operations at the IU Art Museum, Jo Anna Davis, explained why the museum feels it is important to put on an annual event like Jazz in July.\n"It's a really good way for those who aren't able to get to the museum during the year to get a glimpse of the gallery and to hear music ... it's a great way that students as well as community members can come together and enjoy both art and music." \nIndeed both turned out in large numbers Friday night to see Hot Club of Naptown packing the terrace and filling nearly every seat. Many enjoyed the drinks and food served at the event as they tapped their feet along with the music -- frequently applauding for jazz solos. As the sun set over the event, the band played songs ranging from jazz standards like as "I'm beginning to see the light" to pieces by the groups musical inspiration Django Reinhardt. \nCarolyn Dutton, the band's violin player, appeared to be the spokesperson for the group during song transitions -- giving musical history on their various pieces and interacting with the audience. Although many of their pieces were instrumental, guitar and mandolin player David McCarty showcased his rich jazz voice on several numbers, as did guitar player Steve Hawkins. In shades and a hat, Bass player Joe Toole kept his cool and a steady rhythm throughout the performance.\nThe group's CD, All Swings Considered, was mentioned by Strings magazine as one of the "Best CDs of 2004". \nThe IU Arts Museum will be presenting the photography of Art Sinsabaugh in October in the exhibition, American Horizons. To find out more about events coming up at the IU Arts Museum, visit their Web site at www.artmuseum.iu.edu.