Yes, it's October but I'm still savoring September. Specifically the 2013 Indy Jazz Fest? I had the pleasure of being in the company of two of the strong line up presented "all over town" September 12-21.

The festival opened with New Orleans jazz icon Allen Toussaint.

The Schrott Performing Arts Center is BRAND new on Butler Campus. Allen was one of the first musical artists to perform in the venue. And he did so with grace, class and JOY!

It's a "large but small" kind of venue-only seats 400 but feels more intimate than that. Most of the seats are close to the stage with a slight, slow elevation that ends in a balcony, that I wouldn't really call a balcony compared to what they are like in large venues. You just feel very connected to the stage. And I thought that the performer must really feel in touch with the audience. Which could be good or bad. ha. Thursday night, it was great!

Allen came out in a stunning silk suit that appropriately had every color of the chakra system on it. As the night went on, I kept thinking he was wearing the coat of many colors of jazz. And his music was bringing those chakra colors/meditations to life: as he was sharing the root, the soul, the heart, the throat and the EYE of jazz. And on his feet, practical white sox and sandals. Love that!

He has a sweet humble smile that never ceased for the almost two hours he played.

We were seated stage left in the 4th row so we had the perfect view of his amazing hands. Oh my-how they swirled and slid so easily over the keys. Each movement was certain and emotional caressing the keys with respect and joy. His first tunes reminded me of a mix of Bach and Boogie....then he played some songs that had Asian undertones...and his bass guitar player (Roland Guerin) stepped in with some jamming. And scatting. It made me think of an Asian Pink Panther theme. The drummer (Herman LeBeaux) used his hands to rim the symbols and snapped his fingers to keep the beat. The lead guitarist (Renard Poche) was incredible. He had a "tool box" and kept pulling out different instruments-wood winds, a trombone, a flute-and adding nuances to all of the songs.

Allen talked to the audience for a bit and shared his wonderful sense of humor. Remarking on how his writing royalties have helped in so many ways...especially when the Rolling Stones and the Grateful Dead used his work. "They all still play like they are hungry-and they are old! I like that!", he said about the Stones and their latest work.

He played several songs from his "Bright Mississippi" Album-he loved calling it an "album" too-ha... -then got out a bag of "goodies" from the Accent Annex in New Orleans and tossed trinkets and t-shirts and beads to the audience. He was having a good ol' time. He sang one of the many songs he penned but were made platinum by others, "Southern Nights"...and tried to leave the stage but the crowd wanted more, so he came back out and sat at the piano and just blew us all away. His depth and knowledge of all styles of piano music, from chopsticks to Beethoven to blues to hot and cool jazz sizzled from the keys. Once again, I just sat mesmerized with a BIG smile on my face soaking in all of his unconditional jazz love he was so freely and gladly giving away.

It was a night I will never forget. But the wine I had that night-not the same. Was a lackluster Chardonnay. I didn't catch the name as it was the "bar pour". I detected a few notes of banana and pineapple and a good dose of vanilla oak. But nothing to remember.

The wine was better ( 2010 Jawbone Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand- notes of green pepper, grassy, decent sipper) and the jazz was just as smart on Saturday night when I heard Diane Schuur at The Cabaret at the Columbia Club.

The high ceilings, marble floors, chandeliers and a backdrop of Monument Circle made for an elegant, sophisticated setting. The Cabaret is tucked away on the third floor of the Club. This show was a sell-out and the crowd was seated comfortably at chic round club tables on the floor with a simple stage against the wall where the leaded glass windows frame the Monument and buildings surrounding it. Ms Schuur's performance was playful and done with an ease that made you did feel like you were at your talented Aunt Diane's house and she was playing the piano and singing just for you. We were her playmates for the night. Her band ( Pat Mallenger on saxophone, George Fludas on drums and Jake Vinsel on Bass) looked like they were underage but their youthful look did not show up in their performance. Each played with intensity and respect for Ms Schuur who was having a fabulous time, taking her voice to intense heights then following up with a whimsical run on the piano keys and breezy laugh with the crowd. Her copper colored hair was secured with a bejeweled barrette that matched her glasses. She had taught a Master Class to students at the Cabaret earlier that day, and our show was her second of the evening. Yet she played for an hour and gave it her all. www.indyjazzfest.net