Jazz in July returns to the IU Art Museum's Outdoor Sculpture Terrace on Friday, July 6 after a one year hiatus. In 2011, the museum's Thomas T. Solley Atrium was undergoing an extensive renovation, and the series was put on hold. This staple of the summer concert series features some of the leading jazz performers from the region, and starting off is a Jazz in July debut performance by the Andy Cobine Trio.
What does an outdoor jazz series have to do with an Art Museum? The IUAM's Mark Schneider explained that the galleries will be open before, during and after the concert, allowing the audience to explore their collections.
It really opens up the door to a totally different group that may not consider going to the art museum but is very artistic, for obvious reasons.
Opening this year's series is the the Andy Cobine Trio. The trio grew out of guitarist Andy Cobine's interest in performing, writing, and studying the music that he heard in his childhood as the son of big band leader and arranger, Al Cobine.
As my young revolution, I went a totally different direction musically than the American Songbook and Jazz which my dad was involved in. Well, I loved the music though. I've always loved the music, and I love all music, even though I've headed into the lands of alternative rock and funk music and still write and play in both genres. But two things brought this trio together, the desire to refocus on that music and the other members of the trio, instead of it being just "I want to learn this music. Find some people. Have a group."
The series continues each Friday through July 27 with refreshments provided by Oliver Winery, Pizza X, and Grazie!.