My name is TroyTrackSelect, I am the impresario, founder and host of Select Few Sessions, and if you’re reading this, then you are one of the Select Few. I’m just happy to add to the art ecosystem of Indianapolis — one of the coolest cities in the world.
Day One
9 p.m. Watching Pierce Roberts play at Chatterbox Jazz Club. I met Pierce a couple years ago at a work meeting and I’m glad I had the courage to ask him to hangout afterwards. I was looking for friends at the time and he was gracious enough to take a chance on me. Pierce is one of the up-and-coming sax players coming out of Indianapolis but he’ll never admit that to anyone. He’s yet to admit it to himself!
The Chatterbox, one of the oldest jazz spots in Indy, has been open for over 40 years. Honestly, everybody who’s anybody plays at Chatterbox. It’s 900 square feet so it’s tight, but that’s what you want when you’re in the pocket.
There are drinks named after jazz icons from elsewhere, but some are named after icons from here. The Tiger Tail is one of my favorites just off the strength of it being named after one of my favorite albums by Evan Drybread. I listened to that album every day after work for a year after it came out.
Day Two
10 a.m. The Naptones is the most SELECT music awards ceremony in Indiana. I created it to celebrate and recognize artists for all they create for us to enjoy. I’m a firm believer in if we want others to celebrate us, we must celebrate ourselves first.
Indiana artists will be awarded across six genres and 13 categories. There were over 60 submissions — and this is only the first year. I am very proud of that. It let me know I’m headed in the right direction. The listening committee deliberated over the winners and nominees for hours and whittled it down to the nominees you see now.
You can get your tickets to The Naptones now! It’s a black-tie event so pick up your tux or your evening gown so you can be ready for the red carpet.
Related
Submit your music to be nominated at Indy’s version of The Grammys
The second annual Naptones awards ceremony, celebrating Indiana-based artists, will happen in March.
Day Three
7 p.m. For the last few years, I’ve been running the Select Few Sessions. The monthly concert series features an artist performing a 30-minute set of original music to a live audience while the entire thing is filmed. After the performance, there is an interview between myself and the artist to dig into the details. The crowd gets to ask questions too. This most recent artist interview was with Kloe Je.
Day Four
10 a.m. I work out at Omni Fitness. It’s only a matter of time before they outgrow their current space in Northeast Indianapolis.
Ryan Coleman is the founder and a personal trainer. He writes exercise and nutritional programs. And, he’s not only focused on people getting more fit — he helps many people of all ages rehabilitate injuries, old and new, to get back to a life that is pain-free. Health is wealth and Omni Fitness is definitely worth investing in if you want to live a rich life.
Day Five
8 p.m. I met Jared Thompson years ago at a Juneteenth celebration and I never forgot about his band Premium Blend. There’s an album called “38th and Postmodernism” that I spent some time with when I first moved here.
Every Thursday, they perform at Parlor Public House. During the day it’s a coffee shop but at night it turns into a bar where they serve drinks and mocktails. It’s like one of those places that you see in the movies — it’s dark, there are plants everywhere and lots of people come out. Groups of friends, couples in love and people who travel solo to read or work on a project, all have their evening soundtracked by jazz.
Day Six
6:30 p.m. The Hustler’s Mastermind is a Black entrepreneur group run by Anthony Murdock II that meets on a weekly basis to learn the principles of business ownership. It is a space where entrepreneurs can network and help each other.
I’ve been a member for several years and I believe my business wouldn’t have reached the same success had I not spent time cultivating myself there.
The Hustler’s Mastermind goes much further than meeting together once a week, though. There are book clubs, accountability groups, mentorships, partnerships with banks, lawyers, CPAs, technical experts and more. If you find yourself with the opportunity to become a part of a group that wants you to succeed — as badly as they want to succeed themselves — then you should take it.
Day Seven
9 p.m. I’m at B-sides, my favorite event that happens in Indy. It’s mainly hosted in a coffee shop called Commissary, aka Blind Tiger, and I just happened to stumble in on it while out on a date some years ago.
It was cool then and it’s even cooler now. I love dancing and it’s one of the only places I can guarantee I’ll be able to dance. It’s an adult show-and-tell, really. People bring their own vinyl and add it to the setlist. It’s genius because everyone is invited to be part of the experience. DJ Little Town has created something really special.
Indianapolis is entering a new era and we all have the opportunity to shape it to our own desires. Everyone can leave their imprint on the city if they so choose. That’s part of what makes it the place to be. We’re a hidden gem to many but you can only hide a good thing for so long.
My Culture Journal is a series that shares a week in the cultural lives of Indy residents. If you are interested in submitting a journal, email arts and culture editor Jennifer Delgadillo at jennifer.delgadillo@mirrorindy.org and tell us about yourself.
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