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7-11p | No Cover
frankvsmith.com

The blend from this great trio is one of the uncovered gems in Indy. Guitarist Weakley, and his deft command over his expansive repertoire, the no nonsense swing from drummer Lawrence Clark are all held together by the ever-solid, bass powerhouse Frank Smith.

Frank Smith was born and raised in Indianapolis, a city famous for its Indiana Avenue jazz clubs and the local and national jazz talent that played there in the 1940-50s. Smith learned about music growing up in a family that listened to both jazz and classical music. His mother majored in music and taught classical piano. His father loved listening to jazz records.Jay Harvey, jazz critic for the Indianapolis Star, writes in the Dec. 3, 2006 issue about Smith’s entry into the world of jazz:“My mother and (pianist- vibraphonist) Buddy Montgomery were good friends,” the 50-year-old Indianapolis native recalled recently at his Meridian-Kessler home. “And one day Wes (Buddy’s brother) came over to my house and I showed him what I had learned.”

Wes Montgomery, one of a handful of great jazz guitarists of the 20th century, paid the youngster a compliment or two, then asked if he could try the instrument. Smith still marvels at how much better his cheap guitar sounded in the maestro’s hands.

Between that demonstration and the example of a garage-band colleague who played the guitar pretty well, Smith’s course was set: Exit guitar, enter bass – first the electric instrument; then, in his late teens, the acoustic double bass.

Smith later studied with bassist Buster Williams and with David Baker, Distinguished Professor of Music and Chairman of the Jazz Department at the Indiana University School of Music.

The bassist spent a few years on the road with The Fifth Dimension and then eventually moved to New York where he lived and played jazz. Smith traveled around the world in the 1990s playing jazz on cruise ships with legendary jazz and pop musicians such as: Dizzy Gillespie, Zoot Sims, Teddy Wilson and Michel LeGrande.

Since 1998, Smith now works from his home base of Indianapolis and has played jazz with a variety of musicians from both his hometown and around the country including: Steve Allee, Jimmie Coe, Everett Greene, Pookie Johnson, Harold Jones, Roy Meriwether, Buddy Montgomery and Houston Person.

Smith has served as a faculty member at the Jamey Aebersold music camps at the University of Louisville in Kentucky.

Today, Smith is busy composing music and beginning to tour with his first CD, Chasing Chances, which he co-produced with pianist Steve Allee, a long-time friend, composer and bandleader.

7 & 9p | $15

This is like getting Steely Dan, Michael McDonald, Santana on a budget.  Alex on vocals is spectacular!!

David Garfield with Alex Ligertwood “Josie” (mp3)
David Garfield with Alex Ligertwood “The One with The Broken Heart” (mp3)

Alex and David put on an exciting and heartwarming show. They blend Pop and Jazz with R&B and Latin for a truly unique musical presentation covering everything from sensitive ballads to foot-stomping soul classics. Performing for audiences all over the world, they frequently receive standing ovations and never fail to move the audience. Their music goes beyond the confines of a traditional jazz or smooth jazz show. There are some instrumental features in the show which only balance out Alex Ligetwood’s vocal virtuosity on their original and classic material. Their sets will include songs from the catalogs of such greats as Steely Dan, the Beatles, Al Green as well as Santana. Their original music which is blended in has a distinct and fresh contemporary sound.

This pre-carnaval event will get you ready for the partying ahead.
This night is limited in seating and set-up as standing-room only (no dinner reservations will be taken)
$15 cover | $12 students w/ID | 21 and over | doors open @ 5 pm | dinner served from 5p until 10p
chicagosamba.com

Elizabeth Souza and Ipanema – 8p
Chicago Samba & Elizabeth Souza + Brazilian Dancers – 10p

Come ready to dance forró, axé, samba and just have a great time!!!
Chicago Samba has been presenting Brazilian shows all over the Midwest for over 18 years.

Chicago Samba, a Midwest-based music ensemble, offers the authentic sounds of Brazil mixed with
the flavor of carnaval. They play a unique mix of Brazilian popular song styles, including:

• Samba, the energetic national rhythm of Brazil
• Bossa Nova, a laid-back, seductive sound that merges jazzy melodies with the essence of the samba
beat (popularized by Antonio Carlos Jobim and songs like “The Girl from Ipanema”)
• Brazilian Jazz, under the influence of American Jazz, this the newest style of world music.
• Olodum, an rhythm-heavy, Afro-Brazilian sound tinged with reggae (popularized by Olodum)
• Forro, a lively syncopated sound from the rural northeastern Brazil
• Chorinho, a richly melodic sound driven by string instruments like guitar, flute & cavaquinho.
• Pagode, a funky Rio “party music” sound
• Batucada, an exciting, all-percussive jam session that brings any audience to its feet to dance
along with the group – just like carnaval in Rio de Janeiro