The Jazz State of Indiana

2021 Lacy Family Distinguished Lecturer with Joshua A. Thompson  

From the cradle of recorded Jazz to the clubs of Indiana Avenue, Indiana’s jazz legacy can be felt in the music we hear every day. Indiana’s music roots echo throughout our history and can be best explored through experiencing it. Join us for an evening of music as we explore the musical roots of jazz from Richmond to Indianapolis with historian and musician Joshua A. Thompson, set to the sounds of quartet Premium Blend. 

Free. The in-person portion of this event is capped at 200 attendees and is FULL. If you would like to be added to the waitlist, please email a request to reservations@indianahistory.org.  If seating opens, you will receive a confirmation email. Seating arrangements may be adjusted in order to comply with current CDC and capacity guidelines.

Don’t worry if you didn’t get a seat. The event will be available to live stream through this YouTube link.

Come early to explore the exhibit You Are There 1927: Gennett Studio before the show, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Photo credit: Ankh Productions

Joshua Thompson is a pianist, social musicologist, teaching artist and producer. He is increasingly recognized on a national scale for his expertise on classical composers of African descent and the inherent cultural connectivity in the broader aesthetic of Black Arts movements. As the 2020 Beckman Emerging Artist Fellow of the Arts Council of Indianapolis, he successfully completed his residency at the Africana Studies Center for Music and Society at the Berklee School of Music in Boston and currently serves as the first Musicologist in Residence for Classical Music Indy. A graduate of DePauw University, Thompson combines his passion for arts advocacy and music education by working with organizations such as Classical Music Indy, Indy Jazz Fest, the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, Arts for Learning, and Morning Brown, Inc. Continuing his mission to research, program, and perform masterworks by composers of African descent; Thompson has a body of work that includes solo performances, theatrical productions, and co-hosting the 2020 Best New Music Podcast, Melanated Moments in Classical Music with operatic soprano Angela Brown. 

Photo Credit: WildStyle Paschall

Premium Blend: Led by saxophonist Jared Thompson, Premium Blend is a modern jazz quartet that combines traditional elements of bebop and hard bop with R&B and groove. Backed by guitarist Ryan Taylor, keyboardist Steven Jones, and drummer Brian Yarde, PB’s spin on jazz resonates with die-hard jazz fans and novices alike. The band released their third studio album “Vices” in the summer of 2019, and their fourth album “38th & Postmodernism” in January 2021. 

2021 Lacy Family Distinguished Lecturer is presented by the Lacy Foundation with support from the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation and Indy Jazz Fest.