CARMEL - The inaugural Carmel Jazz Fest is scheduled for Aug. 11 and 12 in Carmel.

The two-day festival will feature over 30 international, national and regional jazz, R&B and blues acts across eight stages throughout Carmel, including The Palladium, The Tarkington, Carmel Gazebo, Carter Green, The Studio Theatre, Midtown Plaza, Feinstein's at Hotel Carmichael, Jazz on the Monon and pop-up performances. The event includes an upscale art market, beer, wine and food vendors.

"We'd like to cordially invite music lovers in our community and all over the world to Carmel Jazz Fest 2023. With the full support of the City of Carmel and the wonderful backdrop of our state-of-the-art venues and greenspaces, Carmel Jazz Fest looks forward to invigorating the city with the vibrant sounds of Jazz, R&B and Blues music. Get jazzed for Carmel Jazz Fest!" said Blair Clark, executive director of Carmel Jazz Fest.

Carmel Jazz Fest is happy to announce the 2023 Carmel Jazz Fest headliner: Spyro Gyra. Spyro Gyra will perform Aug. 12 at 8 p.m. at The Palladium.

Additional acts include: Evelyn Champagne King, Josh Kaufman, Jennie DeVoe, The Dave Bennett Quartet, Freddie Fox, Brenda Williams, Premium Blend, Tad Robinson Band, Blair Clark, Pavel Polanco-Safadit, Steve Allee Big Band, Tim Cunningham, Both Sides of Joni Project featuring Alexis Cole, Tommy Baldwin, Dysfunktion Brass; university jazz bands including Ball State University, Indiana University, Butler University and University of Indianapolis. More artists are to be announced.

Festival passes are on sale now. Spyro Gyra tickets go on sale Friday, March 24 at 10 a.m. Friday pass: $29; Saturday pass: $39; Two-day pass: $54. Add on Spyro Gyro tickets start at $25.

Ticket link can be found at  www.carmeljazzfest.org/tickets. Ticket information: Redeem ticket for General Admission wristband at Carmel Gazebo, 3 Civic Square, Carmel. Ticket and wristband redemption booths open at noon Aug. 11. It is a rain or shine event.

One of the most successful instrumental groups to emerge from the 1970s jazz fusion era, Spyro Gyra has released 35 albums and played more than 10,000 shows in its nearly 50 years of existence, earning 13 Grammy nominations along the way. On the current tour, saxophonist and founding bandleader Jay Beckenstein is joined by longtime members Julio Fernandez on guitar and Scott Ambush on bass, along with more recent arrivals Lionel Cordew on drums and Chris Fischer on keyboards.

Carmel Jazz Fest is a 501c3 non-profit organization. The mission of Carmel Jazz Fest is to celebrate Indiana’s rich jazz music history, highlight international, national and regional jazz, R&B and blues acts and spotlight and educate emerging artists. The two-day festival highlights

the world class venues and green spaces located in Carmel and hopes to energize the community through the vibrant sounds of jazz, blues and R&B music. A goal of Carmel Jazz Fest is to propel jazz, R&B and blues music for future generations by providing musical instruments and instruction to Indiana youth who may not have access to music programs.

For more information, visit carmeljazzfest.org.