An Indianapolis jazz musician will host a new concert series to honor Indiana’s jazz history and living legends.
Brandon Meeks, 46, was awarded a $10,000 unrestricted grant from Creative Capital’s new State of the Art Prize program to develop his performance project, “Unsung Giants.” The project will honor jazz legends like drummer Kenny Phelps, trumpet player Clifford Ratliff, and pianist and composer Billy Foster.
“I’m trying to elevate our story here in Indiana, Indianapolis, Gary and the broader Midwest,” Meeks said. “I want to make sure the contributions of our living elders and people who are influential in jazz … aren’t lost when they pass on.”
This summer, “Unsung Giants” will also serve as a theme for Meeks’ “3rd Sunday Jazz Concert,” a free outdoor concert series created in 2022. Over the next few months, he will interview the musicians and sample the conversations into new compositions to be performed during the concerts.
The State of the Art Prize, announced in 2025, provides $10,000 grants to one artist in each U.S. state and territory. Meeks also received a $10,000 Art in Public Spaces grant from the Indy Arts Council to support “3rd Sunday Jazz Concerts.”
Meeks, who is from Gary, moved to Indianapolis in 2004 after graduating from Columbia College. He plays upright bass, guitar and piano, and has worked alongside acclaimed artists such as Robert Glasper.
He also travels with a quintet and trio made up of local and regional musicians.
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Mirror Indy reporter Mesgana Waiss covers arts and culture. Contact her at 317-667-2643 or mesgana.waiss@mirrorindy.org.
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