IU Art Musuem to host 20th annual Jazz in July series

New Orleans might be the birthplace of jazz, but this year Bloomington opens its arms for a annual event dedicated to musical renditions of a cultural phenomenon.

Jazz in July is a free summer concert series held at 6:30 p.m. every Friday this month at the IU Art Museum, with free parking at the Wells Library and Art Museum lots during the event.

This summer collaboration is one of the many events that the IU Art Museum puts on throughout the year, but Jazz in July attracts far fewer students than civilians.

“I like that Jazz in July brings a very diverse audience,” said Paul Sturm, associate director of development for the IU Art Museum.

Each concert is free and open to the public, but because seating is limited to 500 to 600 people, early arrival is encouraged. Refreshments provided by Pizza X, Bloomington Brewing Company and Oliver Winery will be available for purchase.

The Gallery of Art of the Western World on the first floor is open from 5 to 8:30 p.m. each Friday of the event, showcasing art by Felrath Hines. The works were made while Hines listened to jazz and classical music.

The first Friday has much for the public to enjoy to kick off the first concert. The Jefferson Street Parade Band, along with the Windfall Dancers, will provide interactive entertainment in the museum atrium before concertgoers relocate to the Sculpture
Terrace at 6:30 p.m. to see the Postmodern Jazz Quartet start up the concert part of the festivities.

The Postmodern Jazz Quartet is a “cool jazz” ensemble whose music is played to the feel of late-1950s Miles Davis groups, as well as post-bob jazz.

Cathy Morris is the second to play in the concert series. An electric violinist, Morris says that she doesn’t call herself a jazz musician.

“My sound is party jazz,” Morris said.

Morris and her three-person band collectively create a tone she calls “musically promiscuous.”

While the festival seeks a variety of jazz styles, there remains a need for some consistency so people know what to expect, Sturm said.

The Jazz Fables, a Bloomington-based ensemble, perform third. The band, which comprises a rotating lineup of Indiana jazz musicians, is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its Thursday night concert series at Bear’s Place.

“We’re always focused on local or regional jazz artists, so the performances are more homegrown,” Sturm said.

Concluding the series will be the Bill Lancton Coalition.

The band plays many types of music, but this time Lancton said that the sound will be

“Latin Jazz, with original songs as well as songs from artists such as Tito Puente and Carlos Santana.”

Lancton said his favorite aspect of Jazz in July is the responsiveness of the audience.

Sturm said discussions about ideas and artists for the next Jazz in July start as soon as the last one has finished, and the actual planning begins four to six months before the big event.

“Music is art that bonds all ages and backgrounds together,” Sturm said. “Jazz is another opportunity to do that. It’s really a lot of fun, and I’d love to see more IU students come.”