It’s International Jazz Day today, so we’re here to spread the love for Indy’s jazz scene.
From dive bars, to fancy black tie affairs, to intimate venues, our city has it all. Jazz has brought the world together over its long and history-filled years, and these spots have kept the tradition alive. Whether you’re obsessed, a mild appreciator, or even rarely seek it out, jazz music has influenced so many aspects of the world around you. The least you can do is give it a listen and bob your head. Go find yourself one of these spots and enjoy International Jazz Day the way it’s meant to be enjoyed.
SoBro / 377 N College Ave
If you live in Indy, you probably saw this coming a mile away. The SoBro jazz spot has a legendary reputation, and has been entertaining jazz listeners since 1994. The Jazz Kitchen has food that they describe as “NOLA meets Midwest cuisine,” but don’t be fooled, this isn’t one of those easygoing restaurants with live music, no, this is a jazz bar first. Some nights you’re expected to enjoy this music quietly, respecting the fact that jazz music is incredibly dynamic and can drop out in any moment. Some nights, it’s loud and boisterous Latin dane party. It doesn’t matter if you want to see some of the most prestigious names in contemporary jazz, like Dave Weckl and Dee Dee Bridgewater, or if you want to see some local legends like Rob Dixon and Charlie Ballantine; the Jazz Kitchen has killer acts weekly and rarely disappoints. There’s a reason why Downbeat Magazine listed the Jazz Kitchen as one of the “Top 100 Jazz Clubs in The World.” If you live in this great city and haven’t seen a show here, then I don’t know what else to tell you. Go there and hear the things. You won’t be disappointed.
Mass Ave / 435 Massachusetts Ave
Looking for a dive bar that has great jazz and casual vibes? Maybe you want to smoke a cigarette with that badass jazz drummer that’s been melting your face from only two feet away? Want a spot to take a date where the music is great, but not too loud to overpower anything they might say? Chatterbox might be the spot for you. This Mass Ave staple brings a little bit of culture to the party center of downtown. With plenty of local and touring lineups, the Chatterbox has coverless shows from Sunday-Thursday, cheap shows on the weekends, and one of the cooler atmospheres of any downtown bar. David Andrichik bought the building in 1982 and decided to keep it looking the way it did. When one walks into the doors of the Chatterbox, they’re greeted with old pictures of jazz stars, autographed dollar bills, and a DIY atmosphere that adds to the music. Grab a beer, order some Jamaican patties, and let the sounds of Mass Ave combine with whoever happens to be playing. This is what a downtown jazz club should be like.
Market East / 225 E Ohio St
One of the best parts about jazz is the inherent multiculturalism of the genre. From Japanese fusion, to black pioneers both in America and Africa, to the booming scene in London right now, there is no part of the world that Jazz does not touch. Bangkok Restaurant and Jazz Club is no different, bringing us a hybrid of traditional Thai food and eccentric jazz. The club in November and surprises guests with both traditional Thai decorations alongside portraits of famous jazz icons and instruments scattered throughout its interior. During the week, this hidden gem is a traditional Thai restaurant with a fantastic menu, but on Fridays and Saturdays, the room is transformed into an intimate jazz club. Where else in Indy can you go to a place that has both a buffet and live music?
Downtown / 115 E. Ohio St
Feeling like you want a fancy night of jazz, but you don’t want to drive all the way up to Broad Ripple? Well, Michael’s Soul Kitchen is in the heart of downtown, on Pennsylvania and Ohio, and the atmosphere is the definition of fancy. Red carpets, flowing red curtains, and gold and red napkins adorning tabletops will have you feeling like you walked into a jazz club from the movies. The shows are mainly jazz, but every now and then Michael’s will dip straight into soul music, as well as gospel artists and funk musicians stopping by to play some tunes. The set up is reminiscent to the Chatterbox in the aspect that you are close enough to the musicians to touch, but like the Jazz Kitchen in the aspect that you are here to be an enjoyer of jazz, so act like it. Michael’s is giving downtown some much needed jazz therapy, so come enjoy some food and music for the straight for the soul.
Sobro / 5565 N. Keystone Ave
The Mousetrap Bar & Grill is one of the most eclectic venues in the state. They have everything from Bluegrass open mics to some of the headiest EDM music you’ll hear to Grateful Dead tribute bands. But the reason they’ve made it onto this list is their Tuesday night recurring event: The Mayor’s Ball w/ Rob Dixon. For those of you that don’t know, Rob is one of the premiere jazz musicians in the city, with shows at the Jazz Kitchen, the Chatterbox, the Vogue, and pretty much everywhere else. Every Tuesday he comes up Keystone to lay down some saxophone for the people playing in the Trap’s weekly Euchre tournament, enjoying some $5 bourbon. Rob normally plays with Steven Jones and Richard “Sleepy Floyd,” and the sound fits in well with the Mousetrap’s diverse personality. Jazz, funk, soul, it doesn’t really matter, the sounds are close enough together that no one knows what’s going to come out of Rob’s saxophone. Come grab some food from the Mousetrap’s kitchen, win a Euchre tournament or two, and enjoy one of the better jazz atmosphere’s Indy has to offer at one of its best live music bars.
Fountain Square / 1054 Virginia Ave
Square Cat Vinyl is one of the driving forces behind Fountain Square’s music scene. It’s coffee shop in the morning, venue at night, and sells vinyl all day long. The owners are more deeply ingrained in the local scene than most musicians, and their shows range from riff-rock, to soul, to punk, to even jazz. While not technically a jazz club, Square Cat makes this list due to their monthly All Ages Jazz Jam. Flat 12 sponsors said event, where anyone can come, sign up, and play impromptu jazz sets with other music appreciators. What better jazz atmosphere can you ask for than strangers meeting for the first time on stage? The jam is hosted by Mark Ortwein, Chase Blackburn, and Kevin Hood, and, thanks to its all ages atmosphere, could be one of the only venues in Indy where you could step on stage and play a set with a fifty year old musician and a high schooler. Come for the drinks, browse the records and stay for the jazz.
