Freddie Hubbard Memorial Jazz Fest honors Indy’s rich history of Black music and culture

INDIANAPOLIS — Arsenal Tech is all about that jazz.

Indianapolis Public Faculties college students participated within the Second Annual Freddie Hubbard Memorial Jazz Fest on Friday.

The noncompetitive competition honors the late jazz icon and IPS graduate.

“It’s a tradition. It’s greater than in regards to the music. It’s actually in regards to the tradition,” skilled drummer Richard ‘Sleepy’ Floyd mentioned.

Floyd needs to uplift the following technology of musicians and remind them that jazz historical past is intrinsically Black historical past.

“Studying the traditions. The musicians, the historical past of the music. And that’s what makes Jazz so distinctive, as a result of it has such a wealthy historical past that may be traced to many various places throughout america,” he mentioned.

Bands from excessive faculties all through Indiana and nationally famend jazz musicians carried out at Arsenal Technical Excessive College.

Hubbard really started his legendary profession by taking part in the trumpet within the faculty’s band.

It is one thing that conjures up Crispus Attucks Excessive College sophomore Jaci Flores.

“Music…I simply can’t dwell with out it, actually,” the aspiring jazz singer mentioned. “I want that someday I get to the purpose the place I’m and do have the power to scat.”

For Flores, the day was all about studying to recover from her nerves, worry and stage fright.

“It by no means goes away. You simply must mentally put together your self that you simply’re gonna do that and , you’re gonna must be okay doing it,” she mentioned.

At a time when gun violence and crime in Indianapolis create darkness for IPS college students, Arsenal Tech Director of Bands Josh Goodman says music packages could be the sunshine.

“We’re giving them an outlet of someplace to be and to be round actually supportive friends and function fashions in school as properly,” Goodman mentioned.

He says IPS has a wealthy historical past that must be preserved and expanded upon.

“The place IPS is and the place we’re attempting to get to, we’re attempting to construct this district stronger. That’s the entire thing with Rebuilding Stronger — honoring the previous and constructing on that for the longer term,” he mentioned.

All proceeds from the competition assist the Tech Jazz Band for future journeys, sheet music and scholarships.