Educational Performances

These educational performances were created for students to explore and gain appreciation for American popular music as a means to understand its social significance and connection with American history. Bringing the music of the Great American Songbook and Jazz to our young people today helps to preserve the music of America's heritage for generations to come.

The Music of Hoagy Carmichael & The Great American Songbook

Shannon Forsell, The Cabaret's managing director and saxophonist Rob Dixon, with the Indy Jazz Quartet, present a musical tribute to one of America's finest composers of popular song and quintessential Hoosier, Hoagy Carmichael. Featuring music from the group's nationally released CD The Nearness of You, students will hear some of Hoagy's most well known songs such as "The Nearness of You," "Skylark," "Stardust," and "Georgia On My Mind," along with a few less-recorded musical gems. In between songs, Forsell weaves stories, history, and anecdotes from Hoagy's life and Indiana history. Students will also learn about the Great American Songbook, Jazz, and Hoagy's contribution to the music shared between these two genres.

Following the performance, students will also see the grand piano played by Hoagy during his time as pianist and conductor of the Columbia Club Orchestra during the winter of 1928-1929. Much like Cole Porter's piano is featured in the Waldorf Astoria in New York City, Hoagy's piano resides in the Grand Lobby of The Columbia Club. Signage, photos, vintage sheet music and the history of Hoagy's time at the Club are displayed along with the piano.

The Great American Songbook

The Great American Songbook represents the best American songs of the 20th century from the music of Broadway theatre, musical theatre, and Hollywood musicals during the time of the 1920s to the1960s—the musical era before 'Rock and Roll.' The Great American Songbook became and remains a vital part of the music performed in cabaret clubs and played by jazz musicians, who describe such songs as "jazz standards".

The performance explores why hundreds, if not thousands, of different singers have recorded or performed songs of the Great American Songbook. As a result, many of the genre's songs exist in hundreds of different vocal and instrumental versions, with their only constant being the lyrics and melody.

With permission to use scenes for educational purposes, the performance will incorporate scenes from The Great American Songbook DVD produced by Warner Brothers for PBS.

The Indiana Songbook

Shannon Forsell and the Indy Jazz Fest quartet perform music from Indiana's great composers of popular song. Primarily showcasing the work of Hoagy Carmichael and Cole Porter, the program also highlights the work of Indiana jazz legends such as Wes Montgomery, JJ Johnson, Freddie Hubbard, Slide Hampton and David Baker. Sharing the works of the great Indiana composers and performers helps preserve their legacy for generations to come. Students will also get a brief overview of the Great American Songbook and Jazz and how these artists contributed to the music shared by these musical genres.

Following the performance, students will also see the grand piano played by Hoagy during his time as pianist and conductor of the Columbia Club Orchestra during the winter of 1928-1929. Much like Cole Porter's piano is featured in the Waldorf Astoria in New York City, Hoagy's piano resides in the Grand Lobby of The Columbia Club. Signage, photos, vintage sheet music and the history of Hoagy's time at the Club are displayed along with the piano.

The History of Jazz

In partnership with Indy Jazz Fest, The Cabaret presents a multi-media musical history of this truly American art form. The Indy Jazz Fest Band, comprised of the area's finest jazz musicians, along with acclaimed jazz vocalist Cynthia Lane, takes students on a musical journey. Presenting a musical timeline from the beginning of jazz, through the "jazz age of the 20's," the swing era of the 30's, bebop of the 40's, cool jazz of the 50's, to the modern jazz of today, the performance features live music and narration, alongside video footage of jazz legends.

"Jazz is one of America's great indigenous art forms, born from generations of African Americans who synthesized different musical traditions into an entirely new sound. Jazz speaks profoundly of the American experience because of its democratic nature, both in its practice, through the collaborative and improvisational qualities of performance, and its important social role as an early meeting place for people of different races."
~National Endowment for the Arts / Jazz in Public Schools

Testimonial