Warren Ward readily puts humility in the spotlight when discussing his original projections for the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic’s Jazz at Helen’s series in downtown Columbus. The former orchestra board member and pop-rock concert booker and promoter was uncertain about growing the series that he created in the winter/spring with three dates.
They were dates that quickly sold out.
And they were concerts that generated enough buzz and feedback that told him that a lot of other people wished they had gotten tickets beyond the 80 seats then available in the intimate Helen Haddad Hall at 315 Franklin St.
“I never expected that,” Ward said. “Originally, I was just hoping that the piano in the hall could be played more.”
The just-announced second season of Jazz at Helen’s far exceeds that, with performers such as pianists Steve Allee and Monika Herzig, who perform nationwide. Others such as Rob Dixon have played for such stalwarts as Tony Bennett and Ray Charles.
And the format has expanded considerably.
What was originally configured as a single show per act now will be two shows — a Friday and a Saturday — per artist. The Friday night show will have a 96-seat auditorium-style format with a $35 ticket. The Saturday night show will consist of 66 seats arranged around tables, and a $60 ticket that includes hors d’oeuvres for each attendee.
First Class Catering is providing a cash bar for each show.
“The amazing thing is that I don’t have to go to places like Boston and New York to book these people,” Ward said.
Allee, for example, lives in Brown County, and Herzig lives in Bloomington.
Tickets are now available for the series at thecip.org. Here is the schedule:
- Sept. 29 and 30: Wendy Reed. Reed has enjoyed a long musical career that includes just about every genre of music. From her early days entertaining at theme parks such as Kings Island & Six Flags to touring with the nationally syndicated Bob & Tom Show, Reed now can be heard at many of the top jazz rooms including Bangkok Jazz Bar and the world-renowned Jazz Kitchen in Indianapolis. She is a featured performer at the Hotel Carmichael Autograph Collection monthly at Adagio where she features The American Songbook along with her pianist and arranger, Ken Fary.
- Oct. 27 and 28: Rob Dixon. Dixon, the unofficial Musical Mayor of Indianapolis, is an American jazz saxophonist who has previously played with the Count Basie Orchestra, Tony Bennett, Dakota Stanton, the Ellington Band, Slide Hampton, Ray Charles and others. He leads a quartet and funk jazz group called Triology +1. He is signed with OWL Records, an Indianapolis-based jazz/jam label, with two album releases: “What Things Could Be” and “Reinvention: The Dixon-Rhyne Project.” He is a frequent performer around Indianapolis at The Jazz Kitchen and Chatterbox jazz clubs. He is also the artistic director for Indy Jazz Fest.
- Nov. 10 and 11: Steve Allee Quartet: Allee is a nationally-recognized, Grammy-nominated jazz musician and composer who sold out the inaugural Jazz at Helen’s show. He is a recording artist signed with OWL Records, and one whose compositions and music have been featured on various television shows, including “Chicago Hope,” “Friends,” “NYPD Blue,” “Mad About You” and others. He also was the music director for the nationally syndicated Bob & Tom Show.
- Dec. 15 and 16: Ana Nelson Quartet. Nelson is a clarinetist, saxophonist, composer, and arranger known for her multi-genre diversity in classical and jazz styles. From Bloomington, she has performed with a number of Midwest acts including Michael Spiro, the Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Ensemble, and the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in music at Indiana University.
Ticket information
Go to thecip.org
