The St. Clair neighborhood in Indianapolis will host its second annual 10th Street Jazz Journey, a free fundraiser and block party, on Saturday, May 16.
The event runs from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. and celebrates the city’s rich jazz history while supporting the neighborhood’s ongoing revitalization.
Musician Jared Thompson of Premium Blend and Jodi Krummel, a member of the Jazz Journey committee, joined Daybreak on Friday to discuss the block party.
Krummel says the St. Clair neighborhood has recently undergone redevelopment, addressing a past with approximately 40% vacant houses, and is now gaining momentum through community initiatives like this block party. The 10th Street Jazz Journey will feature jazz music throughout the day.
The event utilizes two main venues along East 10th Street in Indianapolis: Republic, an art space located at 2301 East 10th Street; and a short four-block walk away, the Mayfair Taproom at 2032 East 10th Street will host an outdoor stage, with options to move performances indoors in case of inclement weather.
Thompson spoke about the importance of community involvement. “Anytime we get offers for community events, I like to jump at that because the more you’re in the community, the more you’re part of that community and the more you’re able to get your message out.”
Premium Blend is scheduled to perform at the Mayfair Taproom. Thompson emphasized the event’s role in bringing people together to honor the city’s musical heritage. “It just brings people together that everyone’s on the same page, celebrating, you know, this rich history that this city has always had.”
“It’ll be a lot of fun and just celebrating our mentors, our peers, and those that came before us,” he said. “Those are coming up after us. And it’s just a really good way to emphasize that this music’s always been here, and this music is still breathing and growing here.”
He also reflected on the city’s significant, often overlooked, jazz legacy. Thompson pointed to famous figures such as Freddie Hubbard, a celebrated trumpet player from Indianapolis, and Wes Montgomery, one of the most renowned jazz musicians and guitarists globally, who lived in the city.
“I don’t think that we always understand the significance of that and just how close we are to that rich history,” Thompson stated, noting that descendants of these musicians still reside in the city.
The Arsenal Tech Jazz Ensemble will open the event at 1 p.m.
There are free walking tours, led by Sampson Livingston from Through2Eyes, that are scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m.
Event schedule
Re:Public Art Space, 2301 E. 10th St.
1 p.m. | Arsenal Tech Jazz Ensemble
2 p.m. | Devon Ashley Trio
3 p.m. | Caleb Robinson Quartet
4 p.m. | Cassius Goens III Trio
5 p.m. | Dorian Phelps Trio
Mayfair Taproom, 2032 E. 10th St.
6 p.m. | Brandon Douthitt Trio
8 p.m. | Premium Blend
This article was written by WISH-TV anchor Hanna Mordoh.