A rousing musical performance called “The Jewish Influence on Jazz” will be presented by the Indianapolis Jazz Club at Congregation Shaarey Tefilla in Carmel, 3085 W. 116th St. at 2 p.m. March 9.
From composers such as George Gershwin and Irving Berlin to swing bandleaders Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw, Jewish musicians have made considerable contributions to jazz, which is a musical style firmly rooted in the African-American community.
Goodman and Shaw also made significant developments in desegregating the American music industry.
The Indianapolis Jazz Club, founded in 1956 to promote, preserve, perform and educate people about jazz, features the Big Cat Jazz Band, a six piece jazz band. From Shtetl to swing, it explores the Jewish influence on jazz, the composers, the bandleaders and the singers.
The Big Cat Band is headed by Kirk Kuetemeier on valve trombone, and includes Carl Hines on piano, Ray Cumberland on drums and vocals, Steve Woerner on bass, Phil Morgan on trumpet and flugelhorn, Bob Burns on saxophone and Dana Goot on vocals.
Tickets are $20 per adult and $5 per student.
An old style jam session will follow the program. Parents of students participating in the jam receive 50 percent off.
Tickets can be purchased at the Congregation Shaarey Tefilla office at 3085 W. 116th St. in Carmel in advance or at the door or by phone at 733-2169.
