Jazz on the Monon : Carmel Arts & Design District : Carmel, Indiana

For more info about other Carmel Arts & Design District events, click here or call 317.571.ARTS.

June 18, June 25, July 23, July 30, and August 6

Carmel, Ind. – The beauty and artistry synonymous with the Carmel Arts & Design District will extend beyond its galleries once again. The popular Jazz on the Monon free evening concert series starts Saturday, June 18th from 6 – 9 p.m.

The Jazz stage is located on the southwest corner of the Monon & Main Street.

Concert attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs or blankets, and bike racks will be provided for guests that prefer to pedal and park. Bike racks will not be monitored, so guests should plan to bring a lock to secure their bicycle. For visitors arriving by car, parking is available at the Carmel Lions Club parking lot, Indiana Design Center underground garage and other public parking areas, as well as on-street parking in the District.

Heather Ramsey
June 18th

Heather Ramsey is an internationally-recognized professional recording artist and entertainer with more than a decade of experience, performing frequently on local and national stages. She is also a private vocal, performance and piano instructor, having received her degree in education from Purdue University. Her instruction specializes in a tailored approach each student’s unique performance and learning style and goals. For information about voice coaching with Heather, visit midwestschoolofvoice.com.
Heather is a classically educated musician, having played piano for 23 years and flute for 15 years in addition to her endeavors as a vocalist for her entire life. She was part of the ISSMA competitions and All-State Choirs for 6 years, before getting her strongest professional education at Purdue University as a part of the University Choir ensemble, serving as an arranger, section leader and director throughout her tenure with the group.
Heather’s professional experience has continued through the past decade to broaden her repertoire and interest in the fusion of jazz with many different styles, culminating in the release of her latest album, “So Many Stars” at The Jazz Kitchen to a sold-out audience. She has continued to entertain national audiences with her unique mix of jazz, soul and R&B styles.
Heather is co-founder, along with renowned pianist, composer and scholar Dr. Monika Herzig, of Isis of Indiana, a group dedicated to promoting the wealth of female involvement and mentoring future generations in the art and business of making music. The group recently announced the 2011 season featuring performances at the American Cabaret Theater, as well as their songwriting workshop for girls in partnership with the Booth Tarkington Civic Theater June 27-July 2. For details, visit isisofindy.com.
Heather’s next album, due for release on November 27 at The Rathskeller as part of the Isis Holiday Show, will feature a collection of original and classic holiday songs. Her music can be found on iTunes and CDBaby.com, and interested fans can also visit her website at musicbyheather.com for the latest news updates and to sign up for email notice of upcoming performances.

Monika Herzig
June 25th

In 1987, the pedagogical institute in Weingarten, Germany awarded a scholarship for a one-year exchange program at the University of Alabama to one of their students, jazz pianist Monika Herzig. Together with her partner and guitarist Peter Kienle, she arrived in the States on a one-way ticket, with one suitcase of belongings and one guitar in August 1988.

Since then she has completed her Doctorate in Music Education and Jazz Studies at Indiana University, where she is now a faculty member. As a touring jazz artist, she has performed at many prestigious jazz clubs and festivals, such as the Indy Jazz Fest, Cleveland’s Nighttown, Louisville’s Jazz Factory, the W.C.Handy Festival, Jazz in July in Bloomington and Cincinnati, Columbus’ Jazz & Rib Fest, to name just a few. Groups under her leadership have toured Germany, Italy, Japan, opened for acts such as Tower of Power, Sting, the Dixie Dregs, Yes, and more.

Recently, Herzig has been signed to the Owl Studios label and released the holiday CD “Peace on Earth”. A CD/ DVD combo entitled “Come With Me” was released March 8, 2011. Her previous releases have received rave reviews. Thomas Garner from Garageradio.com writes, “I was totally awed by the fine musicianship throughout”. As a recipient of the 1994 Down Beat Magazine Award for her composition “Let’s Fool One” and with several Big Band Arrangements published with the University of Northern Colorado Press, Herzig has also gathered international recognition for her writing skills.

The current repertoire of the Monika Herzig Acoustic Project includes originals and arrangements of standard repertoire, such as John Lennon’s Imagine, Cole Porter’s Night and Day, or Hoagy Carmichael’s Georgia. The Monika Herzig Trio can be heard every Saturday at Rick’s Cafe Boatyard at Eagle Creek Reservoir in Indianapolis. For current tour listings and sound samples/ videos visit www.monikaherzig.com.

Distinctive originals and well-chosen standards reveal Herzig's warmhearted, reflective side and her cleverly playful nature.
Nancy Ann Lee
Jazz Times contributor and co-editor of MusicHound Jazz: The Essential Album Guide

“A lovely example of a thoroughly schooled, thoroughly modern jazz pianist.”
Cherilee Wadsworth Walker, Eastern Illinois University

The lady can get down and play! John W. Patterson, AAJ Fusion/ Progressive Editor
Contact: mherzig@indiana.edu, 812-334-3022

The Splinter Group
July 23rd

Slammer Jazz Quartet
July 30th

Slammer Jazz Quartet! is Carmel's premiere jazz combo, playing the full spectrum of your favorite jazz music including bebop, swing, latin/reggae, dixieland, blues, and Great American Songbook classics. The Slammer Jazz Quartet consists of veteran professional musicians led by:

Jim VanSlambrook (Vibes, Horns) – a multi-talented musician alternating between the vibes, tenor sax, trumpet, flute, flugelhorn, and trombone. Jim has performed for over 40 years in jazz combos, big bands, rock bands, and musical theatres in Detroit, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, and Carmel. He also performs with Island Breeze, The Echoes, The Circle City Sidewalk Stompers, and Charlie’s Pocket.

Michael Beck (Percussion, Drums, Steel Pan) - formed and led national recording artist group Happy the Man and the wildly popular Dog Talk. Michael also performs locally with Island Breeze, The Echoes, The Tides, and Hip Harp.

Heidi VanSlambrook (Vocals) – graduated from Carmel High School and the University of Dayton with a Bachelor of Music Education. Heidi has performed with professional musical theatres including Beef & Boards, American Cabaret, Indianapolis Civic, the Boggstown Cabaret and the Barn Theatre in Michigan. She also performs with Island Breeze and Charlie's Pocket.

Greg Anderson (Keyboards, Vocals) - a lifelong full-time musician, Greg has produced, recorded and performed on albums with Good Seed and The Wright Brothers. He can be seen frequently at Lutz's in Noblesville and currently performs with Island Breeze, The Echoes, Radio Nights, and Lonnie Lester.

Blair Clark
August 6th