Benny Golson Jazz Festival

Benny Golson

Multitalented and internationally famous jazz legend, – a composer, arranger, lyricist, producer – and tenor saxophonist of world note, Benny Golson was born in Philadelphia, PA on January 25, 1929.

Raised with an impeccable musical pedigree, Golson has played in the bands of world famous Benny Goodman, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, Earl Bostic and Art Blakey.

Few jazz musicians can claim to be true innovators and even fewer can boast of a performing and recording career that literally redefines the term “jazz”. Benny Golson has made major contributions to the world of jazz with such jazz standards as:

Killer Joe, I Remember Clifford, Along Came Betty, Stablemates, Whisper Not, Blues March, Five Spot After Dark, Are you Real?

Benny Golson is the only living jazz artist to have written 8 standards for jazz repertoire.

These jazz standards have found their way into countless recordings internationally over the years and are still being recorded.

He has recorded over 30 albums for many recording companies in the United States and Europe under his own name and innumerable ones with other major artists. A prodigious writer, Golson has written well over 300 compositions.

For more than 60 years, Golson has enjoyed an illustrious, musical career in which he has not only made scores of recordings but has also composed and arranged music for:

Count Basie, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Sammy Davis Jr., Mama Cass Elliott, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, Shirley Horn, David Jones and the Monkees, Quincy Jones, Peggy Lee, Carmen McRae, Anita O’Day, Itzhak Perlman, Oscar Peterson, Lou Rawls, Mickey Rooney, Diana Ross, The Animals (Eric Burden), Mel Torme, George Shearing, Dusty Springfield

His prolific writing includes scores for hit TV series and films:

M*A*S*H, Mannix, Mission Impossible, Mod Squad, Room 222, Run for Your Life, The Partridge Family, The Academy Awards, The Karen Valentine Show, Television specials for ABC, CBS and NBC. Television specials for BBC in London and Copenhagen, Denmark. Theme for Bill Cosby’s last TV show, A french film ‘Des Femmes Disparaissent” (Paris)

He has written music for national radio and television spots for some of the major advertising agencies in the country. Some of these commercials were for:

Borateem, Canada Dry, Carnation, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Clorox, Dodge, General Telephone, Gillette, Heinz Foods, Jack in The Box, Liquid Plum’r, MacDonald’s, Mattel Toys, Monsanto, Nissan, Ohrbachs, Ore-Ida Frozen Potatoes, Parliament Cigarettes, Pepsi Cola, Texaco

Benny Golson has absolute mastery of the jazz medium. He has not only blazed a trail in the world of jazz but is passionate about teaching jazz to young and old alike. He has lectured at the Lincoln Center through a special series by Wynton Marsalis. He has lectured to doctoral candidates at New York University and to the faculty at National University at San Diego.

Honored with doctorates from William Paterson College, Wayne, NJ and Berklee School of Music, Boston, MA, Dr. Golson has also conducted workshops and clinics at:

Appalachian University, Boone, NC

Berklee School fo Music, Boston, MA

Eastman School of Music, Rochester, NY

Howard University, Washington, DC

Julliard School of Music, New York, NY

Manhattan School of Music, New York, NY

New England Conservatory

Paris Conservatory, Paris, France

Rutgers University, New Orleans, LA

Stanford University, Stanford, CA

University of Denver, Denver, CO

University of Idaho, Moscow, ID

University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Lawrence University Conservatory of Music, Appleton, WI

William Paterson College, Wayne, NJ

Golson’s musical odyssey has taken him around the world. In 1987 he was sent by the US State Department on a cultural tour of Southeast Asia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Burma, Singapore. Later, Philip Morris International sent him on an assignment to Bangkok, Thailand to write music for the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra.

A live performer who consistently knocks audiences off their feet, Benny Golson has given hundreds of performances in the USA, Europe, South America, the Far East and Japan for decades.

Benny is also working on a major college textbook and his autobiography.

This humble musical giant continues to impress critics, fans and fellow musicians with his prodigious contributions to the world of jazz.

General Schedule

• Guest Band Performances from 1:00-7:00 PM in the Schrott Center for the Arts, Lilly Hall and the Krannert Room at Butler University
• World Rhythms with Jon Crabiel and Pavel at 1:00pm in Lilly Hall.
• Masterclasses with Butler University School of Music Faculty at 2:00pm in Lilly Hall
• Kenny Phelps Clinic at 5:00 PM in Lilly Hall
• Emma Hedrick Clinic at 6:00 PM in Lilly Hall
• Awards at 7:15 PM in the Schrott Center for the Arts
• Closing Concert 7:30-8:45 PM in Schrott Center for the Arts at Butler University. Tickets are included with the festival participation fee.
• View interactive campus map online or download PDF version.

Festival Format and Details

• Non-competitive.
• Each band will receive one hour in their assigned performance room during which there will be time for a brief warm-up before the clinic begins.
• There will not be separate warm-up rooms.
• To allow for maximum clinic time, we recommend that you program no more than 15 minutes of music. Pieces in progress that are not at performance level are also welcome.
• Clinicians will provide verbal comments that will be recorded, there will not be any written comments or scores.
• Family and friends are welcome to attend. 
• View interactive campus map online or download PDF version.

Emma Hedrick, Vocalist

Emma Hedrick is an award-winning jazz vocalist, composer, and bandleader from Indianapolis, Indiana. She has performed nationally and in Europe including performances at the Indy Jazz Fest (IN), Rochester International Jazz Festival (NY), Elkhart Jazz Festival (IN), Telluride Jazz Festival (CO), St. Petersburg Jazz Festival (FL), as a part of the Aspen JAS Academy directed by Christian McBride, and in the Jong Metropole tour of the Netherlands and Germany conducted by Chris Walden to name a few.  She received 7 Downbeat Student Music Awards for Jazz Voice throughout high school, undergraduate, and graduate school, was a National YoungArts Winner in Jazz Voice, and in 2019, was awarded 3rd place in the Ella Fitzgerald vocal competition. She completed her Bachelor’s of Music at the Frost School of Music and Presser Scholar and her Master’s of Music at the Royal Conservatoire, The Hague, on a Holland Scholarship, both in Vocal Jazz Performance. Emma is a proud alum of the Butler Youth Jazz Program!

Kenny Phelps, Drummer

Kenny Phelps cut his musical teeth in church, enlivening worship services and later touring with gospel groups as a drummer.  A self-taught percussionist, Phelps developed his jazz knowledge and experience in the 1990s through the mentoring assistance of bassist Frank Smith and pianist Steve Allee.

Beginning in 2004, Phelps has been aligned with the American Pianists Association and played in the rhythm section for the Premier Series and Finals of their prestigious Jazz Awards.  This early association with APA and introduction to guest performer, Dee Dee Bridgewater, in 2011 led to Phelps being hired to tour with Dee Dee internationally for two years. 

His twenty-five years of playing experience has involved performances with Wynton Marsalis, Eartha Kitt, Michael Brecker, Slide Hampton, Wycliffe Gordon, Chuchito Valdes, and the New York Voices. Other Indianapolis and Midwest-based performers with whom Kenny has worked and recorded include the Debarge Family, Rob Dixon, Pharez Whitted, Fareed Haque, Derrick Gardner and Melvin Rhyne. For several years, he played in a trio with Frank Smith and pianist Frank Puzzullo at a downtown Indianapolis restaurant. Starting in 2009, he was active in a family fusion band, Hananeel, with his brother, a nephew and others. In 2011, Kenny purchased Owl Music Group, an outgrowth of Owl Records, a local jazz label. A year later, he became Owl’s CEO, turning the company into a humanitarian arts organization reaching out to young musicians and community organizations such as the Julian Center and the Wheeler Mission Ministries. The Community Outreach arm brings music to these agencies and supplements the concerts with served meals. The Night Owl Session, is devoted to enriching the lives of youth through music education, engagement, and entertainment. In collaboration with public-school systems, it provides mentoring and direction to aspiring instrumentalists and singers considering music as a career. All facets of the music industry are explained to participants, while the core emphasis is motivational. “We encourage them to jump into their passion for music,” says Kenny, “but also let them know that struggle and sacrifice are needed.”

Jon Crabiel, Percussionist

Jon Crabiel is Percussion Artist-in-Residence at Butler University Jordan College of the Arts in Indianapolis, IN. At Butler University, Jon serves as coordinator of percussion studies, conducts the percussion ensembles and teaches courses in percussion literature, pedagogy and world drumming. In addition, Jon serves as director and founder of the Butler Percussion Camp held every June at Butler University. 

In 2017, Jon took a one-year leave of absence from Butler to perform and serve as Acting Assistant Principal Timpani and Percussion with the National Symphony Orchestra for the 2017-18 season in Washington, D.C. Jon is first-call extra percussion with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra, Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, Ft. Wayne Philharmonic, Empire Brass, Ronen Chamber Ensemble, Dance Kaleidoscope and national Broadway tour companies. He has served as Principal Timpani at Bear Valley Music Festival and toured with the River City Brass Band. In addition to classical music, Jon is equally versed in rock, pop, jazz, Latin American and Brazilian percussion and drumset. He is a member of The Icarus Ensemble, an eclectic five-piece jazz group made up of members of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. The Icarus Ensemble have performed with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra in concert as guest artist at the Hilbert Circle Theatre and released their first self-titled CD The Icarus Ensemble in 2015.

Jon studied as an Artist Diploma candidate at Carnegie Mellon University and received both his Bachelor of Music and Master of Arts degrees from Eastern Illinois University. His past teachers include: Timothy Adams Jr., Professor Johnny Lee Lane and Richard Paul. In 2014, Jon received Outstanding Graduate Alumni Award from Eastern Illinois University.

An active performer, clinician and educator throughout the Midwest, Jon serves annually as percussion coach of the Honor Orchestra of America and Masterclass Clinician for the Music For All National Concert Festival. He has served on faculty of the United States Percussion Camp, MidWest Percussion Camp, Las Vegas Percussion Camp, Great Lakes Music Camp and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. 

He has presented clinics for the Percussive Arts Society, Indiana Music Educators Association and Indiana Percussion Association. Jon is an active and in demand studio musician for commercial recording sessions and has made solo performances with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (with The Icarus Ensemble), Lafayette Symphony Orchestra, Percussive Arts Society International Convention, Midwest Band and Orchestra International Conference and the Indiana Music Educators Association Convention.

Jon’s students have received numerous Butler University Concerto Competition honors and awards – and his former students are currently performing with major symphony orchestras, touring nationally and internationally with Broadway shows and teaching at universities in North America. Jon is a Yamaha Performing Artist and endorses Yamaha Drums and Percussion, Vic Firth Drumsticks and Mallets, Remo Drumheads and Zildjian Cymbals.

Pavel Polanco-Safadit, Pianist

Pavel Polanco-Safadit and his band Direct Contact have brought this history, energy and musical excitement to the bandstand for over a decade. As a kid in the Dominican Republic, Pavel fell in love with piano and spent hours each day perfecting his technique. Those hours turned into the modern musical pyrotechnicians that have sent Pavel around the world several times, a staple in the Latin jazz music scene. Pavel studied at the University of Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky University and University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has performed in North America, South America, the Caribbean, Asia and Europe. He has shared the stage with legends including Peter Erskine, Dave Valentin, Max Weinberg, Sergio George, Roscoe Mitchell, Gunther Schuller, Richard Davis, Michael Spiro and Pavel Nuñez. Pavel has also performed with The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, The Carmel Symphony Orchestra and The Anderson Symphony Orchestra. For years, Pavel taught music at Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana, where he continues to be a leader in the community as Executive Director of the Richmond’s Amigos Latino Center. He’s also a Chicago Music Awards nominee.

Bethany Robinson, Bassist

Bethany Robinson is a Yamaha Performing Artist, GRAMMY Music Educator Award Finalist, NAfME Jazz Council Chair, Past-President of the Indiana Jazz Educators Association, and serves on the Jazz Education Network Board. She joined the faculty of Purdue University as the Director of Jazz in 2024 after building the jazz program at Noblesville Schools from 1 to 6 jazz ensembles, where the top jazz ensemble was a 2-time Jazz at Lincoln Center Essentially Ellington Finalist and Indiana ISSMA Jazz State Honor Band in 2023.

Robinson was the 2014 Indiana Jazz Educator of the Year, 2015 Noblesville Teacher of the Year, 2016 Indiana Teacher of the Year Semi-Finalist, named a 2022 Jazz Hero by the Jazz Journalists Association, and the 2023 Indiana Outstanding High School Music Educator of the Year. She is a 2-time Lilly Teacher Creativity Fellow, receiving grants to study jazz and culture in both the US (2011) and Brazil (2019). Bethany has co-led Indiana Jazz Girls Day since 2018, hosting workshops and side-by-side concerts for students around the state of Indiana to elevate student leaders through jazz.

Bethany has been a keynote speaker and presenter around the globe, including the Australia National Band and Orchestra Conference (2021), International Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic (2022), and the Indiana, Oklahoma and New York State Music Educator Conferences. Bethany was the guest conductor for the 2024 New York All State Jazz Ensemble, and the chief adjudicator and guest artist for the 2024 Victorian Schools’ Jazz Festival in Melbourne, Australia. She is a clinician and adjudicator independently and for Jazz at Lincoln Center, YAMAHA, Music For All, and an avid performer on upright bass, electric bass, and vocals.

Josh Weirich, Saxophonist

Saxophonist and educator Josh Weirich has been active in music education as well as the music performance community.  As a teacher Josh has spent the last 20+ years serving as band director and music department chair at Zionsville Middle School near Indianapolis In.  The Zionsville Middle School Band program contains over 400 students from grades 5-8. Over the last decade, they have performed at festivals, band contests, jazz festivals and concerts throughout the country.  They performed at the National Middle School Conference and performed three times at the Indiana Music Educators Conference (2 jazz ensemble and 1 concert band performance).  Josh has been recognized as Zionsville Middle School’s “Teacher of the Year” in 2010 and 2020 and in 2019 he was named “Indiana Music Educator of the Year” by the Indiana Music Educators Association. In addition to Josh’s teaching duties, Josh is a busy adjudicator and clinician including conducting numerous honor concert bands and jazz ensembles in multiple states.  He conducted the Indiana Junior All State Jazz Band in 2018.  In the summer of 2025 Josh will serve as one of the conductors of “Indiana Musician’s Abroad”, a high school and college honor band that will give performances across Europe. Josh holds music degrees from Ball State University and Butler University.  He is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Phi Beta Mu International Bandmaster’s Fraternity. 

As a performer, Josh has toured and performed with numerous groups including the Temptations, The O’Jays, The Four Tops, George Clinton & Parliament, The Four Freshmen, Sandi Patty, Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, the Lawrence Welk Orchestra and many others. In 2001, he received a Grammy nomination for his performance of “Backburner” by Frank Ticheli while a student at Ball State University.  Prior to teaching, Josh played professionally for Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruise Lines and Cedar Point Amusement Park.  Josh performed for over 20 years as a member and featured soloist with the Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra and continues to perform with rock and jazz groups throughout the mid-west, most notably the popular Indianapolis group, “Living Proof”.  In 2020 Josh teamed up with composer Ryan Fraley to release their first book “Play Jazz” published by Alfred Music Publications which introduces reading jazz and jazz improvisation to musicians with 1-2 years of experience.  Away from music, Josh loves spending time with his wife Katie, his three busy kids Brandt, Ethan and Cassie and his trusty dog Rosco.

Arrival Time

A detailed schedule will be provided to each director approximately two weeks prior to the event with their bands performance/clinic time and location. All festival events will take place in Lilly Hall or the Schrott Center for the Arts on Butler’s campus. There will be time for a brief warm-up in the performance room before the clinic begins. Groups should allow plenty of time to arrive to campus, park, and load into their respective performance rooms. View interactive campus map online or download PDF version.

Drop-Off and Pick-Up

Students and directors should be dropped off and picked up using the circle drive in front of Clowes Memorial Hall, near the main entrance to Butler University on Sunset Avenue. The circle drive has a sidewalk leading to both venues of the festival, Lilly Hall and the Schrott Center for the Arts. View interactive campus map online or download PDF version.

Bus Parking

Busses should park in the Hinkle Fieldhouse lot on 49th street. View campus map.

Equipment and Storage

Butler will provide drum sets, cymbals, piano, bass amp, guitar amp, vibes, chairs and stands at every performance location. Amp cords will be the responsibility of the bands. Instruments can be securely stored in the basement of the Schrott Center for the Arts.  

Dinner and Dining Options

Dinner will be on your own. If you’re interested in eating on campus, there are three locations: the MarketPlace at Atherton Union, Plum Market, and Chatham Tap.  Please be advised that MarketPlace and Plum Market do not accept cash.

Closing Concert

Closing Concert 7:30-8:45 PM in Schrott Center for the Arts at Butler University. This concert will feature students from each participating band, the Butler University Jazz Ensemble and our guest artists. Tickets are included with the festival participation fee. The concert is free and open to the public.

Submitting Payment

There is a $250 participation fee per Ensembles and a $200 participation fee per Combo due no later than Monday, November 17. Payment must be submitted via check mailed to Butler University School of Music, attn. Benny Golson Jazz Fest, 4600 Sunset Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46208. If you have multiple groups participating, please indicate the number of groups in the check memo. Questions about payment? Email School of Music Budget Office, Lyndee Kennett at lkennett1@butler.edu.

Contact Information

Matt Pivec, Professor of Music, Director of Jazz Studies

317-940-9068 | mpivec@butler.edu