Carmel Jazz Fest puts focus on youth & education for 2024

The second annual Carmel Jazz Fest (CJF) returns Aug. 9 and 10.

In addition to Carmel Jazz Fest featuring top international, regional, and local acts in jazz, blues and R&B, CJF will shine a spotlight on emerging artists from local high schools and Indiana colleges.

This year, CJF welcomes high school-level performers from Carmel High School, Zionsville High School, and The Classical Academy in Indianapolis. Europa – a high school jazz quintet – will perform with special guest high school vocalist Delila Seal from 9 to 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 10 on the Carter Green Stage.

Teliah McClung, a senior at The Classical Academy in Indianapolis, is a rising vocalist who has lent her voice to studio recordings for Plank Road Publishing, participated in Midtown’s Got Talent, and has performed at Feinstein’s in Carmel. McClung will perform at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Aug. 10 at the Rotary Amphitheater at Carter Green.

Carmel Jazz Fest also welcomes four Indiana universities to the weekend event. CJF’s organizers say they believe featuring university talent allows guests and students to be educated and inspired by experiencing the best of Indiana collegiate musical programs. The Studio Theatre will host the University of Indianapolis, Butler University, Indiana University, and Ball State University on Aug. 9 and 10. Please see the schedule at carmeljazzfest.org for performance times and tickets.

The College Professors will take the Carter Green stage on Aug. 10 as part of Carmel Jazz Fest. (Photos provided)

CJF will also feature a special collaborative musical ensemble: The College Professors, comprising four university professors performing together. Mark Buselli of Ball State University, Mark O’Connor of University of Indianapolis, Matt Pivec of Butler University, and Tom Walsh of Indiana University will perform together at 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 10 at 9:30 p.m. on the Carter Green stage.

Also on Aug. 10 will be the CJF Music Education Panel from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Studio Theater. The CJF Music Education Panel allows festival patrons and students the opportunity to learn about music education. Guests will have the opportunity to participate in a question-and-answer session with university music educators and collegiate musicians.

Prepare to experience incredible live music inside all three venues within The Center for the Performing Arts – The Studio Theatre, The Tarkington, and the world-renowned Palladium – as well as outside at Carter Green and at Feinstein’s inside the Hotel Carmichael.

To buy tickets or learn more about Carmel Jazz Fest, visit carmeljazzfest.org.

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