A Special Visit From An Indy Jazz Hall of Fame Artist
Everett Greene Attends MFT’s Circle Centre Series
You never know who you will run into at the Musical Family Tree Circle Centre Series. Maybe you’ll see a friend, a neighbor, or a coworker… Or maybe you’ll run into a local music legend who still loves getting out to see original, live music!
At the last Circle Centre Series performance in April featuring the Hickey-Shanafelt 9polective, there was a very special guest who attended - respected and accomplished Indianapolis jazz vocalist Everett Green.
Everett Green
Born in 1934, Everett has had a very influential music career as a jazz vocalist. Everett Greene is an Indianapolis Jazz Hall of Fame artist which means he has been recognized as having shaped the history of Jazz in Indianapolis!
You can learn all about Everett Green on his Indianapolis Jazz Hall of Fame biography, Plus see photos, listen to his music, and hear podcast interviews too. Everett has performed with jazz greats Wes Montgomery, Snooky Young, David Baker, JR Mance, Norman Simmons, Larry Ridley, and Buddy Montgomery, just to name a few. He has been a featured vocalist throughout the United States, Canada, Africa, Japan, Italy, and Germany in jazz festivals, on cruise ships, and in concert venues as a guest artist and singer. Jazz festival credits include the Montreal Jazz Festival, Indy Jazz Fest, the World Music Festival in Japan, the Rhinelander Jazz Festival, and dozens more. Everett has also performed with several great performing organizations as a featured vocalist including The Smithsonian Jazz Orchestra, Harlem Renaissance, Chicago Jazz, The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and Seattle Jazz. He spent time touring and performing with the great Count Basie Orchestra.
Mutual Feelings of Music Appreciation
As exciting as it was for local, contemporary jazz nonet, The Hickey-Shanafelt 9ollective to meet him, Everett Greene was just as pleased to hear their music!
The talented local professionals and young musicians in this group were thrilled to see Everett Greene attend one of their performances. One of the younger musicians in the ensemble said, “It was such an honor to meet him!” and a few of them had previously attended a workshop where he spoke.
Everett Greene said, “I Was Truly Amazed That These Outstanding Musicians, PLAYED TO 6 PEOPLE, JUST AS THEY WOULD HAVE TO 6,000. Truly, Loving What They Were Doing… I will definitely check out these Tuesday evening (FREE) Concerts, 5 PM to 7 PM, From Now On… Hickey-Shanafelt. You Guys WOW!!!”
That is, Dr. Everett Greene!
To further iterate the influence Everett Greene and his music career have had on Indianapolis, take note that Butler University presented him with an honorary Doctorate Degree at their commencement ceremony on May 5, 2023. Dr. Greene and his musical talents have truly had a significant impact on the Indianapolis music scene and community as a whole. He should be celebrated!
Moreover, the honorary Doctorate was presented to Everett Green in recognition of his impact on the cultural heritage of Indianapolis in addition to his dedication and service to countless Butler University students in the Jordan College of the Arts. Per the article, Butler University Names Honorary Degree Recipients, “Greene has served as a lecturer and guest artist in the Jordan College of the Arts and continues to be an inspiration to Butler students, faculty, and staff.”
What a special occurrence to have Dr. Everett Greene attend one of our Musical Family Tree events!
The MFT mission is to spread Indiana music. Our pillars are legacy, education, and performance. Through our Circle Centre Series, we are clearly making performance opportunities for local artists a reality. But it is a welcome occurrence when Indiana music legacy and education are unexpectedly intertwined through our programming!
We hope to see you at one of our FREE concerts every Tuesday from 5-7pm. You can find the schedule on our events calendar. And, remember… You never know who you’ll run into!