Indianapolis · Free & all ages · Since 2022

3rd SundayJazz Concerts

Great music. Good company.
A place for everybody.

Coming back in 2027Explore the series
Musicians performing for an audience gathered on the lawn at Fort Ben Cultural Campus
Live at Fort Ben Cultural Campus · Summer 2026
Fort Ben Cultural Campus · Lawrence, IndianaReal music. Shared moments.
Free admissionAll ages welcomeRooted in Black American musicMade for community

This is 3rd Sunday Jazz

A Sunday afternoon.
A shared experience.

3rd Sunday Jazz brings people together around live music. It's free, it's open to all ages, and you don't have to know anything about jazz to enjoy it.

Founded by bassist and composer Brandon Meeks in 2022, the series celebrates Black American music and connects Indianapolis audiences with outstanding musicians from across the Midwest.

Bring your family. Meet a friend. Come for the music and make an afternoon of it.

Music brings us here.
People make it special.

Families on the lawn. Friends catching up. Musicians giving it everything. A few moments from the 2026 season.

A family sharing a picnic on the grass during a concert
Room for the whole family.
Two friends talking together in lawn chairs at Fort Ben
Good company, all afternoon.
Concertgoers enjoying live jazz across the amphitheater lawn
A Sunday at Fort Ben.

3rd Sunday Jazz

Two young women wearing glasses smiling together at a concert

Good music. Good company.

1 / 15

Our story

A community tradition,
still growing.

2022–23

The beginning

The series began in 2022 at Cleo's Bodega, run by Flanner House. Brandon Meeks founded it to make live jazz part of everyday community life. Early concerts also brought audiences together at Black Leaf Vegan Cafe.

2024–25

Building connections

The series continued in Indianapolis community spaces, including Kheprw Institute's Alkhemy, bringing together local audiences and a growing network of regional musicians.

2026

Taking it outdoors

Three free concerts at Fort Ben Cultural Campus Amphitheater marked the first outdoor season: June 21, July 19, and August 16. Theater at the Fort provided an indoor weather backup.

2027

The next season

Plans are underway to return to Fort Ben on the third Sundays of June, July, and August. More music, more connections, and another summer together.

3rd Sunday Jazz musicians together at the outdoor amphitheater after a concert
After the music · Fort Ben Cultural Campus, 2026

The artists

Midwest musicians.
Shared musical roots.

The series has featured artists from Indianapolis, Chicago, Cincinnati, Louisville, and beyond. It's a place to hear familiar voices and discover someone new.

Musicians featured in the series include:

Brandon MeeksBrandon DouthittJared ThompsonJosh StrangeKendall CarterGreg ArtryCassius GoensWilliam MenefieldRichard “Sleepy” FloydRaymon James

In 2026, Brandon Meeks and the Unsung Giants Project brought music and storytelling rooted in Indiana's jazz history to the outdoor season.

Brandon Meeks seated, looking directly at the camera

Meet the founder

Founded by
Brandon Meeks

Brandon Meeks is an Indianapolis bassist, composer, bandleader, and educator. He started 3rd Sunday Jazz in 2022 to bring people together around Black American music and make high-level live jazz accessible to everyone.

He curates, produces, and performs in the series, working with musicians and community partners to bring each season to life.

More about Brandon

Why it matters

Live jazz belongs
in community life.

Access for everyone.

Free admission makes it easier for people to come together across ages and backgrounds. Children can experience jazz as something alive, joyful, and part of their own community.

Culture, close to home.

Jazz is Black American music. The series celebrates those roots while making room for everyone to take part. The outdoor season brings that experience to Lawrence and Indianapolis' Far East Side.

Artists at the center.

Free for the audience still means paid work for the musicians. Artist compensation and professional production are part of the commitment to presenting this music with care.

Partners & supporters through the years

A shared investment
in live music.

These organizations have supported or partnered with 3rd Sunday Jazz at different points since the series began in 2022.

  • Indiana Arts Commission
  • With support from Indy Arts Council and the City of Indianapolis
  • Indianapolis Jazz Foundation
  • Arts for Lawrence
  • Inspire Music Collective
  • Flanner House
  • Black Leaf Vegan Cafe

Support for the 2026 season included:

Project grant funding

Indy Arts Council
& the City of Indianapolis

A $10,000 Project Grant supported the series' free public programming.

Financial support

Indianapolis Jazz Foundation

$6,000 in support helped bring the concert season to the community.

Venue partner

Arts for Lawrence

Home to the outdoor season at Fort Ben Cultural Campus Amphitheater, with Theater at the Fort available as the indoor weather backup.

Producing & community partner

Inspire Music Collective

Helping bring the concerts to life through production and community partnership.

The next chapter

See you in
2027.

3rd Sunday Jazz is coming back. Plans are underway for another free outdoor season at Fort Ben on the third Sundays of June, July, and August 2027.

Join the email list below for season announcements, artist news, and concert details as they're confirmed.

Let's connect

Good things grow
through partnership.

Interested in being part of the next chapter? Get in touch with Brandon about community partnerships and future seasons.

brandon@brandonmeeksmusic.com ↗

Founded, curated, produced, and performed by Brandon Meeks.