The Four Freshmen return to Indianapolis, performing at The Jazz Kitchen December 14

The Four Freshmen to perform at The Jazz Kitchen (5377 N. College Ave.) on Friday, December 14 for two shows at 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $25-35 and can be purchased at www.thejazzkitchen.com, by phone at 317-253-4900 or at the box office.

In 1948, four young men created a sound that forever changed the way vocal jazz harmony was heard and performed. Known as The Four Freshmen, the group started with two brothers, Don and Ross Barbour, their cousin Bob Flanigan, and friend Hal Kratzsch. With a soaring, true tenor in Bob Flanigan, the group created a sound that has endured for over 6 decades. Hal Kratzsch sang the bass part and played trumpet. He sang the bass part with a big sound, laying the foundation for the Barbour brothers to add their beautiful inner part stylings. Ross sang the 3rd part and played drums. Don sang the 2nd part and played guitar. Thus, the original Four Freshmen was born and began touring, playing bowling alleys and small clubs across the country.

Early on in their career, the Freshmen met Stan Kenton. He had heard the rumors of a vocal group that sounded like his band. The Freshmen were all fans of Kenton and in many ways, modeled their sound after the Kenton trombone section. Once Kenton heard them, he was hooked. He loved the group and believed in them so much that he approached Capitol and essentially got the Freshmen signed in 1950. This led to a fruitful partnership between Capitol Records and the Freshmen for over 10 years. During the Capitol years, the Freshmen had some of their biggest hits, including their first hit with Capitol called "It's A Blue World."

READ: Retro Indy: The Four Freshmen began at Butler University, February 10, 2017 IndyStar

The December 14 show will feature:

Tommy Boynton, Lead Voice and Bass
Stein Malvey, Second Voice, Guitar
Jonathan Gaines, Third Voice, Trumpet
Bob Ferreira, Fourth Voice, Drums

INDY JAZZ FEST

Indy Jazz Fest is the preeminent performance event of the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation. A celebration of community and culture that showcases jazz music in a variety of great venues across the city, Indy Jazz Fest will ultimately reach upwards of 34,000 people through a combination of performances, workshops, school concerts, master classes, and community partnerships, as an integral cog in the Indianapolis arts scene. Indy Jazz Fest has become a cultural icon since its start in 1999. With an increased emphasis on jazz education, Indy Jazz Fest has expanded from just one day to an entire experience, ultimately benefiting the Indianapolis arts community throughout the year by creating meaningful links between jazz education and the city's jazz performance scene. www.indyjazzfest.net