The Online Reflector

Rob Dixon plays saxophone as a part of the Rob Dixon Trio at the annual WICR Jazz Festival on April 18.

By Anne Toliver | Staff Writer

WICR, University of Indianapolis’ radio station, hosted its third annual Jazz Festival on April 18 in Ransburg Auditorium.  This festival showcased the talent of six local jazz groups with a variety of styles.  It was held as a thank you for listeners, and to raise money for new technology to change 88.7 The Diamond to digital.  Along with raising money, the festival also promoted The Jazz Kitchen, south of Broad Ripple, and the Jazz Foundation which is having its annual Jazz Festival the last week in September.

The festival was originally intended to be held outside on Smith Mall, but Doug Housemeyer, director of communication, decided earlier on in the week to move it to Ransburg in case of poor weather. The festival has never been outside in its three years, but Housemeyer, who decides on the artists, hopes it will happen one year.  WICR holds the festival in April because it is Jazz Appreciation Month.

Although there were some students, staff and children most of the audience was middle-aged or older.  Housemeyer said that he expected around 300-500 people at this free festival.

The festival opened with UIndy’s own Jazz Combo.  The crowd began small but was extremely enthusiastic and grew as the show progressed.

“It was kind of cool to open for [the other bands],” said tenor saxophone player Dan Rauscher, who performed in the combo.

The Jazz Combo opened for the Bill Lancton Trio.  Lancton played electric guitar, and the quick tempo made this trio of older gentlemen sound as if they were heading out on an adventure through the jungle.

Following was the Rob Dixon Quartet.  This group played a much smoother and casual form of jazz.  The men were younger and dressed more casually.  Dixon led the group as saxophonist and played with the next act, Cynthia Nixon.

Nixon was the first female performer and only singer.  Her voice was powerful and her music soulful.  One couldn’t help but enjoy as she danced and clapped on stage.  Most of her songs were fast paced but she ended with “Beautiful Soul,” – her theme song.  She encouraged the audience to sing along and to “take your kids to live concerts.”

Next, Monika Herzig played the piano along with her husband Peter on bass guitar.  This wife, husband and drummer trio took the audience to a tropical island and on an Italian taxi ride.

The final group was the Brandon Meeks Quartet, an up and coming bassist.  The quartet of four young men performed upbeat songs and seemed to enjoy playing.  In fact the drummer stole the show with his enthusiasm like a child playing on pots, albeit incredibly more talented.

“I loved all the groups,” said audience member Lee Kennedy from Carmel.  “The drive was well worth it.