Everyone is invited to enjoy free concerts featuring accomplished jazz musicians

Indianapolis, Sept. 20, 2018 – The Marianne Tobias Music Program at Eskenazi Health will proudly present the American Pianists Association American Pianists Awards Concert Series beginning on Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018, at the Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital in Indianapolis.

The series, which comprises five free concerts showcasing the Finalists for the 2019 American Pianists Association American Pianists Awards, will feature solo performances in the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation Concourse at the Eskenazi Health downtown campus at 720 Eskenazi Ave., in Indianapolis. All are welcome to attend each of the free concerts. Parking is available in the Eskenazi Health Parking Garage.

“Eskenazi Health Foundation is proud to support the art and music programs at Eskenazi Health through philanthropy,” said Ernie Vargo II, CFRE, president and CEO of Eskenazi Health Foundation. “Through the community’s support, we’re able to partner not only with university music programs and community musical organizations to host a vast array of musical genres and skills for the listening pleasure of Eskenazi Health’s patients, visitors and staff, but also to partner with national organizations such as the American Pianists Association to bring peace and healing to our hospital campus.”

The first concert on Sept. 27 will feature Kenny Banks, Jr., 29, of Atlanta. Banks Jr. has worked alongside many Grammy-nominated artists including Jennifer Holliday, Dionne Farris, India Arie, Carmen Bradford, Russell Gunn, Jazzmeia Horn, Les Nubians, and Phife Dog of Tribe Called Quest. The concert will begin at 4 p.m.

The series will feature one concert each month through February, offering performances by some of today’s most acclaimed young jazz pianists. The American Pianists Awards alternate on a two-year cycle between jazz (this year) and classical. The following lists the dates and performers for the remaining concerts:

• Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018, at 12 p.m.: Billy Test, 29, of New York City

• Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018, at 12 p.m.: Keelan Dimick, 26, of Miami

• Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019, at 12 p.m.: Dave Meder, 27, of New York City

• Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, at 12 p.m.: Emmet Cohen, 27, of New York City

“The relationship between the American Pianists Awards of the American Pianists Association and Eskenazi Health has become one of the most exciting and satisfying relationships to come my way in my nearly 18 years at APA,” said Joel Harrison, president/CEO and artistic director of the American Pianists Association. “To be able to partner with a health organization that clearly values the healing power of art is immensely gratifying and inspiring. It is a joy to bring our brilliant American jazz finalists this season to Eskenazi!”

The American Pianists Awards are held every two years to discover the best aspiring young American jazz or classical pianists. The unique and innovative competitions span 13 months and provide a platform to deeply engage musical artists in a variety of creative formats and settings. Winners receive cash and two-years of career advancement and support valued at over $100,000, making this one of the most coveted prizes in the music world and the largest for American jazz pianists. Four years ago Eskenazi Health also hosted the series.

As part of each American Pianists Awards competition, every finalist completes a residency with a high school orchestra or jazz band. Residencies typically span the course of three days and culminate in a joint public performance with school musicians. Known as Concerto Curriculum, this program brings the beauty of world-class music to new audiences and non-traditional venues, provides pedagogical growth for developing artists, and inspires new generations of young musicians.

For more information about the American Pianists Association or the Jazz Fellowship Awards and for bios on each of the performers, please visit www.americanpianists.org.

Through the gift of an endowment and donation of a concert grand piano, the Marianne Tobias Music Program at Eskenazi Health is dedicated to bringing music to the healing environment at the Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital and Eskenazi Health campus. From public concerts in the gardens to impromptu performances in the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation Concourse at Eskenazi Health, the Marianne Tobias Music Program welcomes artists of diverse genres to expose patients, families and staff to a wide range of musical experiences.

To learn more about the Marianne Tobias Music Program at Eskenazi Health and to find a list of upcoming concerts, please contact the Eskenazi Health Foundation at 317.880.4900 or visit www.EskenaziHealthMusic.com.

CONTACT: Tom Surber
Phone: 317.880.4793
Cell: 317.402.9327
Pager: 317.310.5972
Email: thomas.surber@eskenazihealth.edu