Carmel's first jazz festival remembers Tony Bennett

CARMEL, Ind. - Jazz, blues and R&B notes will be filling up Carmel's Arts and Design district on August 11-12.

Carmel's first Jazz Fest launches with excitement as its Executive Director and Founder Blair Clark and internationally heard saxophonist and composer Danny Lerman speak with Gordy Young in the studio to talk about Jazz Fest 2023 and honor a fellow songbird, Tony Bennett. 

Tony Bennet passed away on July 21, 2023, following years battling with Alzheimer's. The twenty Grammy-award winning singer known for "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" and "Because of You," spent his last few years diminishing the stigma against Alzheimer's and bringing a conversation about it to light. His radiant voice, charisma and artistry are a few aspects of Bennett that serve as his legacy, one that Danny Lerman shares a personal story about. 

"I was playing a show at the Pori Jazz Festival in Finland," began Lerman. "I came off the stage to feature the rhythm section and I hear a voice. 'Beautiful music man.' I know that voice. I looked over. Tony?"

Tony Bennett proceeded to show Lerman his personal sketches that he made during Lerman's performance. Lerman convinced Bennet to give him one and the sketch is currently hung in Lerman's father's office. 

Lerman and Clark geared up to perform. 

"Well, we don't have anything prepared," joked Clark before Lerman started his opening notes and Clark sang, "I left my heart in San Francisco...above the blue and windy sea." 

It was a sincere moment that hushed over the studio as the fluttering of each saxophone note met the enrapturing rise of Clark's voice, capturing the feeling and emotions of Bennett's song. 

That musical connection, that hold over thoughts, feelings, emotions that music brings, can be experienced on a fuller scale at Carmel's Jazz Fest, where both Lerman and Clark are slated to perform.  

With a mix of local and international artists, the festival brings a little bit of everything, energy funk, pop, jazz, R&B, for a total of twenty-five acts dispersed on six stages. 

"I've been talking to the mayor about it for three years," said Clark. "When we started putting it all together, it's been about a year in the making." 

Lerman was excited when he got "you're on" call to showcase music from his new album, Night Rider, which currently has a song on the jazz charts. 

Tickets are $29 for August 11, $39 for August 12 or $54 for a two-day pass. Children twelve and under are free. 

For more information on the Jazz Fest's acts or tickets, visit their website. 

For facts about Alzheimer's visit the Alzheimer's Association website.