INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - Music can bring people together.
"It's something that's so powerful, so when you don't have that element in a community, there's really a void,” said Rob Dixon, a local musician.
COVID-19 has silenced that music and impacted those who perform at venues like The Jazz Kitchen in Broad Ripple.
Dixon plays the tenor saxaphone, normally six nights per week.
“I have gigs that are still happening, as far as I know, in June, but every day I get a notification,” said Dixon.
Notifications of cancelations.
He’s not the only one.
“Some of my friends have been doing OK because maybe 50 percent of their income is gigs, but then for some of the people in my band, it's 100 percent, or 90 percent of their income,” said Dixon.
Dixon and his friends decided to create the Indy Musicians Relief Fund. The group is made up of the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation, the Penrod Society, Owl Music Group and The Jazz Kitchen.
Organizers have raised $60,000 of their $100,000 goal. Musicians have been granted nearly $50,000.
As of Wednesday, 70 checks were mailed to Indy’s “jazz, blues and beyond performers.” Several have turned to the online arena to continue playing music for their fans.
They hope things get back to "normal" soon.
“It may look a little different now (as people are) cautious with germs, but I think it'll be booming,” said Dixon.
Booming with the sounds of harmony.