Jazz in July series plays at IUAM

Thirteen years and approximately 48 performances later, IU's own Jazz in July concert series is the strongest it has ever been. Every July, the IU Art Museum plays host to a weekly series of free jazz concerts that are open to the public, with this year being no exception. \n"This is a very popular event for the museum," IUAM's public relations coordinator Joanna E. Davis said. "Summers are always slower for us, and this series draws more Bloomington residents onto campus; it is much easier for them to have access to it." \nShowcasing some of the Midwest's best talent, this series fuses music and art together.\nThe four groups playing at this year's Jazz in July concert series are Kwyjibo, Hot Club of Naptown, Monika Herzig and friends featuring Cathy Morris and Janiece Jaffe, and Café Jazz Society, which already performed Friday. \nKwyjibo is a jazz-fusion quartet with a rockish feel, having very noticeable world, funk, blues and eclectic jazz influences. They are performing this Friday. Hot Club of Naptown is performing July 18 with their patented acoustic swing style. They typically play jazz standards -- acoustic jump blues mixed in with some originals. \nAnd to finish out the series, IU music school faculty member Monika Herzig with special guests' electric violinist Cathy Morris and jazz vocalist Janiece Jaffe will play July 25. Herzig is well-known for her role as co-leader of the jazz fusion group Beeblebrox, which has toured Germany twice and has opened for such groups as Tower of Power, Sting, Santana and Yes.\n"She is a probing, pensive player who digs deeply into her instrument to sustain a contemplative mood. Herzig is in charge with her resonant touch and diverse wanderings," said Frank Rubolino, a member of the Bloomington jazz community.\nHerzig said she is very excited about this performance because it gives her a chance to "showcase some of my best friends and favorite musicians, Janiece Jaffe and Cathy Morris. This year I wanted to include as many people as possible, and I'm sure the audience will enjoy it, too."\nAlong with all of the performances is the special installation of the IUAM's summer gallery. This gallery showcases some of the permanent collection found in the museum during the regular school year, along with some new pieces that have been brought in specifically for the summer. \nThree of the new pieces are a color print entitled Commedia dell' Arte by Gino Severini and some modern art by Pablo Picasso and Jacques Lipschitz. Some of the permanent collection on display is made up of Picasso, Pollack and Monet. The IUAM is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.\nLike the concert series' shows, all museum exhibits are free and open to the public. \nHerzig said this is a great event and also a very popular one. \n"Every year there is a maximum capacity audience for each concert with representations by all ages, all sexes, all colors. There are very few opportunities in Bloomington to see all-ages Jazz concerts, especially for free," Herzig said. \nEach show starts at 6:30 p.m. and are located outside the IU Art Museum on the Sculpture Terrace. For more information see www.homepages.indiana.edu/062703/text/jazz.html.