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Smooth Jazz All Stars Jonathan Butler, Norman Brown, Najee & More

Concert Live Music Jazz Music

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Don’t miss this smooth jazz extravaganza featuring Grammy-Award-Winning artists Jonathan Butler, Norman Brown, Najee, and Gerald Albright. $1 from every ticket will be donated to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis

*Lineup subject to change*

Jonathan Butler
Jonathan Butler is a singer-songwriter and guitarist who leads a life few can imagine. Born in South Africa under the shadow of apartheid and raised in poverty, Butler was the first non-white artist to be played on South African radio and appear on national television. Though his musical abilities would take him away from the world he grew up in, Jonathan would neither forget the plight of his fellow South Africans, nor the man that led them to freedom. It is for this reason Nelson Mandela credits Butler’s music as having inspired him during his imprisonment. In more ways than one, Jonathan Butler is representative of South Africa.

Norman Brown
The multi-platinum selling and chart-topping guitar guru has been thrilling international audiences for over four decades with his jaw-dropping virtuosity, soul-stirring performances, and gravity-defying technique. The exultation that emanates from his riveting performances is hard to resist. It is no surprise that the iconic George Benson calls Norman Brown, “one of the greatest and most articulate guitarists out there.”

Gerald Albright
Playing both sax and bass, he became the consummate session and touring musician in the 80s, working with everyone from Anita Baker, Ray Parker, Jr., Atlantic Starr, The Temptations and Maurice White to Les McCann, Teena Marie, the Winans and Whitney Houston. He launched his solo career in the infancy of what became the smooth jazz format, with Just Between Us in 1987 and has been a core part of the genre with chart-topping albums, countless radio hits and as a member of many all star tours, including Guitars & Saxes and Groovin’ For Grover. Because Albright’s musical muse has taken him to so many fascinating locales along the contemporary R&B/urban jazz spectrum, he’s joyfully defied easy categorizations. “Top to bottom,” Albright says, “Whether in concert, listening to my music over the radio or CD player, I always want my listeners to be taken on a musical journey with different textures, rhythms, chord progressions and moods. I want people to know where I’ve been and where I’m going, and to let them hear that I’m in a really good place in my life.”

Najee
An acclaimed saxophonist and flute player, Najee is one of the most successful and recognizable crossover jazz and R&B performers of his generation. Following his initial breakthrough with 1986's Grammy-nominated Najee's Theme, Najee rose to widespread prominence with a series of Top Five-charting contemporary jazz albums, including 1990's Tokyo Blue, 1994's Share My World, and 2005's My Point of View.

Don’t miss this smooth jazz extravaganza featuring Grammy-Award-Winning artists Jonathan Butler, Norman Brown, Najee, and Gerald Albright. $1 from every ticket will be donated to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis

*Lineup subject to change*

Jonathan Butler
Jonathan Butler is a singer-songwriter and guitarist who leads a life few can imagine. Born in South Africa under the shadow of apartheid and raised in poverty, Butler was the first non-white artist to be played on South African radio and appear on national television. Though his musical abilities would take him away from the world he grew up in, Jonathan would neither forget the plight of his fellow South Africans, nor the man that led them to freedom. It is for this reason Nelson Mandela credits Butler’s music as having inspired him during his imprisonment. In more ways than one, Jonathan Butler is representative of South Africa.

Norman Brown
The multi-platinum selling and chart-topping guitar guru has been thrilling international audiences for over four decades with his jaw-dropping virtuosity, soul-stirring performances, and gravity-defying technique. The exultation that emanates from his riveting performances is hard to resist. It is no surprise that the iconic George Benson calls Norman Brown, “one of the greatest and most articulate guitarists out there.”

Gerald Albright
Playing both sax and bass, he became the consummate session and touring musician in the 80s, working with everyone from Anita Baker, Ray Parker, Jr., Atlantic Starr, The Temptations and Maurice White to Les McCann, Teena Marie, the Winans and Whitney Houston. He launched his solo career in the infancy of what became the smooth jazz format, with Just Between Us in 1987 and has been a core part of the genre with chart-topping albums, countless radio hits and as a member of many all star tours, including Guitars & Saxes and Groovin’ For Grover. Because Albright’s musical muse has taken him to so many fascinating locales along the contemporary R&B/urban jazz spectrum, he’s joyfully defied easy categorizations. “Top to bottom,” Albright says, “Whether in concert, listening to my music over the radio or CD player, I always want my listeners to be taken on a musical journey with different textures, rhythms, chord progressions and moods. I want people to know where I’ve been and where I’m going, and to let them hear that I’m in a really good place in my life.”

Najee
An acclaimed saxophonist and flute player, Najee is one of the most successful and recognizable crossover jazz and R&B performers of his generation. Following his initial breakthrough with 1986's Grammy-nominated Najee's Theme, Najee rose to widespread prominence with a series of Top Five-charting contemporary jazz albums, including 1990's Tokyo Blue, 1994's Share My World, and 2005's My Point of View.

More about Butler Arts & Events Center
The Butler Arts & Events Center (BAEC) is home to Butler University’s event facilities including performance venues, conference and meeting rooms, outdoor spaces and housing. Its performance venues welcome more than 300,000 visitors annually, with 35,000 from the student matinee series. The BAEC is comprised of seven venues including its flagship 2148 seat venue Clowes Memorial Hall; the Schrott Center for the Arts with 475 seats; Shelton Auditorium with nearly 400 seats; Eidson-Duckwall Recital Hall with 135 seats; Krannert Room; Lilly Hall Studio Theatre with up to 100 seats; and Hinkle Fieldhouse. Programming includes the Butler Arts Presents events, BAEC’s Education Matinee Series, Jordan College of the Arts performances, Broadway In Indianapolis shows, various Butler lecture series, performances from local performing arts organizations and a variety of national touring shows.
When & Where
May 2, 2025, 7:30pm to 10:30pm Timezone: EDT
$45.00


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