Clowes Memorial Hall | Indianapolis IN
From Funky to Mellow
On May 2, 2025, I found myself in the heart of Indianapolis at Clowes Memorial Hall for what promised to be a night of musical magic. The lineup? Ohhh it was pure 🔥🔥🔥. My big brother Najee (yes, that Najee!) blessed me with tickets, and I was already doing a happy dance just thinking about who was sharing the stage: the always-soulful Gerald Albright, the smooth and heartfelt Jonathan Butler, and the groove king himself, Norman Brown. I mean… come on! That’s a jazz lover’s dream right there!
But as life would have it, the night came with an unexpected turn. Upon arrival, we were met with signage on the venue doors and a somber announcement that due to a medical emergency, Norman Brown would not be performing. Oh nooo… you could feel the energy dip. Of course, our first reaction was concern. The entire audience shared a quiet, heartfelt moment of silence, sending up prayers and healing thoughts for Norman. That’s the kind of crowd this was — respectful, soulful, and all about love.
In light of the change, the remaining artists stepped up in a big way, each extending their set to give us a full and fulfilling night. And let me tell you, they did not disappoint.
Gerald Albright hit the stage first and let me say this — he set the tone for greatness! That man brought it, owned it, and THEN some. Funky, smooth, energetic — he was clearly there to make us forget about our woes for a while and just vibe. Mission accomplished.
Now, in my mind, I figured Jonathan Butler would be next (actually, I thought he’d be first, but more on that later), which meant Najee would close it out with a bang — cue the anticipation! But nope — Najee was next. No complaints from me though, because — as always — he delivered a stellar set. But that’s par for the course with him. And no, I’m not saying that just because he’s fam — I’m saying that because the man simply never misses. Ironically, I’d seen both he and Gerald earlier this year — different nights, same venue in Cincinnati. So this night felt like the perfect encore to both experiences. Lucky me, right?
Then came Jonathan Butler to round things out. Now listen — I want to be clear: Jonathan is incredibly talented. His music is soothing, melodic, and speaks straight to the soul. But… and I say this with love — I truly feel his set would have worked better if he started the night off. He’s mellow, smooth, and more in that “glass of wine on the porch” energy, not necessarily the closer after two back-to-back mid-high-energy performances. The vibe shift was noticeable. People started to trickle out. Including us after his first song performance.
And this isn’t the first time I’ve noticed this kind of off-kilter lineup at Clowes. I actually attended a show there last year and had the same “wait, what’s going on with the artist order?” feeling. Not sure who’s calling the shots in programming, but I really think it’s time to revisit how these lineups are structured — it makes a big difference in the overall experience. It’s not about talent (everyone up there is world-class), but about flow and energy. It matters.
All in all, though? We had a great time. Amazing music, great company, and a venue full of love and appreciation for real artistry. The artists engaged with the crowd, the vibes were high, and it was a night to remember — even with a few hiccups.
Much love to my bro Najee for always looking out and showing up with excellence. And continued prayers for Norman Brown. Here’s to health, healing, and better setlists in the future!
