“The Big Beat” fundraiser July 22 to preview 2018 Indy Jazz Fest

The Indianapolis Jazz Foundation to host “The Big Beat” Fundraiser sponsored by Faegre Baker Daniels on Sunday, July 22 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm at The Cabaret (924 North Pennsylvania St.). Individual tickets are $100 and can be purchased at indyjazzfest.net.

Hors d'oeuvres, libations, auctions and a sneak peek at "The Big Beat", the theme for Indy Jazz Fest 2018 (#IJF20). Get tuned in to see what the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation is doing to support youth jazz education and Indianapolis' rich jazz legacy and how to get involved.

Live music by vocalist, piano player, arranger and jazz combo leader, Emma Hedrick, a 2 time DownBeat Student Music Award Winner. In 2017 and 2018, DownBeat Magazine named Emma the national winner for their annual Student Music Awards in the high school vocal jazz soloist category. DownBeat said of Hedrick, “Totally engaging performances, very expressive. A mature jazz concept throughout…enormous talent here.” In 2017 and 2018 Emma also was a National YoungArts winner in Jazz Voice and a 2017 GRAMMY jazz camp finalist for voice. She traveled to New York City in April 2018 to perform at the New York Regional YoungArts program.

Miss Hedrick is a 2018 Carmel High School graduate and was a member of the honors Carmel High School Jazz Band. The Indianapolis Jazz Foundation worked with Hedrick through their “Indy Jazz Futures” program led by saxophonist Rob Dixon. Emma will be attending the University of Miami, Frost School of Music, studying studio music and vocal jazz on a full tuition Presidential Music scholarship.

Music for the afternoon will also include The Indianapolis Jazz Collective featuring saxophonist Rob Dixon, pianist Steve Allee and special guests. The event will be hosted by WFYI’s Jill Ditmire.