About US
The Hickey-Shanafelt 9ollective is a modern jazz nonet led by long-time friends Kent Hickey and Alex Shanafelt. Founded in 2019, the group is dedicated to writing, commissioning, and performing original music, written by local artists for the Indianapolis community. The 9ollective is composed of both established and up-and-coming professionals who share a passion for new music. The band’s versatile sound and broad stylistic range bring something for every kind of music fan.
The 9ollective has enjoyed performances at the Indianapolis Zoo, the Penrod Arts Fair, BLU Jazz+, Merrimans’ Playhouse, and the world-famous Jazz Kitchen. In October 2022, the 9ollective released their debut album “illuminate,” introducing the band to the world by showcasing the eclectic styles of the Indianapolis jazz scene. The ensemble returned to the studio in August 2024 to document “The Kaleidoscope Suite,” released in May 2025, and to record “9 Songs for Christmas,” an album of original Christmas arrangements released in November 2025.
The 9ollective is inspired by the works of Sean Imboden, Steve Allee, the Tucker Brothers, Artemis, Anat Cohen, Chuck Owen, Lucas Pino, Dan Pugach, and Maria Schneider, among others.
