I finally made it to The Jazz Kitchen on a Wednesday evening. Rob Dixon's Triology + 1 were playing his original compositions. I'm the first to admit that I know nothing about jazz music - I can barely identify the instruments. I do know that I saw three saxophones on stage (along with the musicians to play them of course). There was a piano player, a drummer and DJ Rusty. The music was great in a groovy-funk way. Jazz Kitchen owner Davie Allee describes the music as being in the vein of Joshua Redman. Check out Rob's CD What Things Could Be.

When the band finished, the party moved across the room to the bar side, where DJ Rusty (of Mudkids and Northside Newsstand fame) spins tunes. I'm sure it was just a coincidence that he played Lonely Girl when I walked through the room. Just because I was by myself-sheez! Not only was Laurie whipping up drinks behind the bar, but she made some darn fine waffles that evening - the perfect midnight snack.

I used to be intimidated by The Jazz Kitchen even though I worked just a few feet from them for years. The CATH bakery and the Jazz Kitchen kitchen shared a wall. We were great business neighbors, sharing parking, trashcans and generally watching out for each other. I would dart in the club during the day to visit, but I was never there as a guest. I would sometimes hang out on the corner to try to catch a glimpse of Harry Connick Jr. or Maynard Ferguson, but did not feel comfortable venturing inside for the shows. I have gotten over my fear of looking dorky (not totally, but at least at the JK). The club has a great community feel with terrific music. The food is amazing: seared tuna to paella. On Mondays there is an 8 before 8 special: dinner specials for only $8 if you dine before 8 pm. Mondays also feature Indianapolis legends Frank Glover and Claude Sifferlen. Take advantage of the patio while the weather is still nice - same great food and service with a view of my (former) little corner of the world.

This Native American Blues-Rock band is made up of family members. Two brothers, Mato Nanji and Pte, are joined by sister, Wanbdi and cousin Horse. They are members of the Nakota Nation and grew up on the Yankton Indian Reservation in South Dakota. The siblings were inspired by their father, Greg Zephier, a musician in the 1960's and 1970's and American Indian rights activist.

Their visit coincides with the first-ever Native American Education Conference, which will be held at IUPUI September 28-30, 2006.

This won't be much of a preview of John's music, because I've never heard him play. This is amazing, because I've known him for years. His shows always seem to fall on nights that I work. Here is what I do know about him. He plays guitar, drinks High Life, has great taste in music, has worked as a farrier, tells good/bad jokes and is a damn good guy. I'm sure all of that translates in to a fine musician. Boulevard Place has great food, is family friendly and is a fun place to see music. I'm looking forward to the show. . . and not working on a Friday night-woo hoo!

Forget Cassettes is a Nashville trio that I missed at the Midwest Music Summit. Indy CD and Vinyl has invited them back, so the show must have been great. I love in-store performances. It's a great chance to see the band before they play the big show later. In this case the big show is at Locals Only. I hope to catch them this time.