Jazz bassist and beatmaker Brandon Meeks reflects on his roots in Indiana | Cultural Manifesto

Listen to an interview with Brandon Meeks, an Indianapolis–based jazz bassist, bandleader and hip-hop producer, widely recognized as a key figure in the city’s contemporary jazz scene. He is best known for his work with acclaimed saxophonist Rob Dixon and as a member of the hip-hop jazz trio Native Sun, a group celebrated for blending modern jazz improvisation with hip-hop. Alongside his work as a bassist, Meeks is also a prolific producer of instrumental hip-hop, bridging jazz traditions with beat culture.

In 2015, Meeks received national attention for his role portraying legendary jazz bassist Ron Carter in Miles Ahead, the Miles Davis biopic starring Don Cheadle. More recently, Meeks made headlines after receiving a prestigious Creative Capital grant for Unsung Giants, a project he created to honor under-recognized Indiana jazz legends.

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