Mar 2, 2026 9:58 PM
In Memoriam: John Hammond Jr., 1942–2026
John P. Hammond (aka John Hammond Jr.), a blues guitarist and singer who was one of the first white American…
Arturo Sandoval, Dianne Reeves, Aretha Franklin and B.B. King will lead an all-star line-up in Downtown Indianapolis June 14–16, during the fourth annual Indy Jazz Fest presented by Kroger.
Nearly 60 jazz, blues, soul, gospel and other diverse acts will perform for an expected 30,000 music fans at this annual Father’s Day Weekend event. Among the many other artists performing at the festival are Bruce Hornsby, The Yellowjackets, Spyro Gyra, Bela Fleck & the Flecktones and David Benoit.
Local talent slated to perform on the two main stages includes Cathy Morris, the Buselli/Wallarab Jazz Orchestra, Frank Glover, Steve Allee, and Ann McWilliams, and a combined performance with Middletown and The Citizens Band.
“This unparalleled line-up is as diverse as it gets,” said Indy Jazz Fest Board President David Roberts. “With these legendary artists and a wide array of local talent, Indy Jazz Fest has established itself as an annual event not to be missed.”
Indy Jazz Fest is a major Midwest music celebration which takes place in Downtown Indianapolis’ Military Park and the library lawn on the Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis campus.
To purchase tickets online, go to www.ticketmaster.com or www.indyjazzfest.org. Tickets for Friday, June 14 are $14. Tickets for Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16 are $18 for each day in advance and $24 day of show.
The Indy Jazz Fest, Inc. is a non-profit organization existing to showcase and perpetuate Indianapolis’ rich jazz heritage through a diverse presentation of jazz and other music. Indy Jazz Fest’s presenting sponsor is The Kroger Company. Other sponsors include BAA Indianapolis, Bank One, Budweiser, Ernst & Young, IUPUI, Meridian Music, Printing Partners, Safeco Insurance, Ticketmaster.com, United Airlines, and Wooden & McLaughlin.
Hammond came to the blues through the folk boom of the late 1950s and early 1960s, which he experienced firsthand in New York’s Greenwich Village.
Mar 2, 2026 9:58 PM
John P. Hammond (aka John Hammond Jr.), a blues guitarist and singer who was one of the first white American…
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