From September 9–20, Indianapolis came alive with the sounds of jazz as the 2025 Indy Jazz Fest brought together 25 bands, 12 days of concerts, and 4 venues for one unforgettable celebration. Presented by the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation and Indy Jazz Fest, this year’s festival showcased everything from straight-ahead jazz to Latin grooves, soulful R&B, and smooth contemporary sounds—capturing the richness and diversity of the music we call jazz.

On Thursday, August 21, 2025, the Jazz at the Center series wrapped up its summer run with an electrifying finale. Presented by the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation and Indy Jazz Fest, Pavel & Direct Contact’s The Latin Tinge transformed the evening into a full-scale celebration of Afro-Caribbean rhythm, culture, and community. With dazzling performances, vibrant dance exhibitions, and a lineup of Latin All-Stars representing Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Peru, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and the U.S., the night pulsed with energy from start to finish.

In 2025, pianist, composer, and bandleader Steve Allee gave Indianapolis jazz fans a gift: not one, but two extraordinary albums with his big band. Both Naptown Sound and Full Circle capture the rich tradition of Indy jazz while charting bold new creative directions. As longtime jazz supporter and writer Kenneth Gotschall observed, “The records serve as a tribute to the Indianapolis jazz heritage, but Steve and the band take it to creative new places, and leave us with a towering, powerful, thought-provoking earworm of a record.”

On Thursday, July 17, 2025, the Jazz at the Center series invited audiences to experience the joy of the Christmas holidays—mid-summer style. “Christmas in July”, presented by the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation and Indy Jazz Fest, had everything people love about the season—except the snow. With a festive local artist market, family-friendly atmosphere, and a top-tier performance by the Indianapolis Jazz Collective featuring vocalist Rebecca Rafla, the evening offered a warm blend of nostalgia, community, and high-level musicianship.

On a warm June night, the Jazz at the Center series lit up the stage with Blue Bergamot – A Juneteenth Celebration, presented by the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation, Indy Jazz Fest, and curated by the ever-visionary Richard “Sleepy” Floyd. The evening honored the legacy of West African musical giants like Fela Kuti and Manu Dibango, whose influence continues to shape generations of artists across the globe.

The Indianapolis Jazz Foundation and Indy Jazz Fest are thrilled to announce our fifth season of Jazz at the Center, an annual outdoor summer concert series at the Indianapolis Art Center (820 E 67th Street).

On April 30, 2025, The Cabaret in Indianapolis came alive with the sounds of swing, soul, and celebration as the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation hosted its annual International Jazz Day event. The evening brought together a passionate community of musicians, supporters, and jazz lovers to honor the genre’s rich history and invest in its future.

The Indianapolis Jazz Foundation (IJF) is mission-driven, dedicated to promoting, preserving, and propelling the past, present, and future of jazz in Indiana. IJF aligns its programming with the three pillars of the mission: education, performance, and legacy. Through these initiatives, IJF ensures that jazz remains a vital part of Indiana’s cultural fabric, inspiring new generations of musicians and audiences alike.

Women have been a vital and important part of the evolution of jazz music from the beginning. From Mary Lou Williams to Melba Liston to Billie Holiday, jazz as a genre would not be where it is today without the influence of women as instrumentalists, vocalists, and composers.

Growing up in the streets surrounding Indiana Avenue, Freddie Hubbard was immersed in the rich sounds of jazz from an early age. By high school, his musical talent had flourished, and he showcased his trumpet skills as a member of the Arsenal Technical High School band.

Indy Jazz Fest is finally here!