Echoes of Indiana Avenue

Hear the first episode in our two-part series exploring the music of Shirley Griffith — a Mississippi-born guitarist and singer who brought the sound of Delta blues to Indiana Avenue. Join host Rodney Stepp as we share rare recordings, including music from Griffith’s debut 1961 album, Indiana Avenue Blues.

Saxophonist Alonzo “Pookie” Johnson is a legend of the Indianapolis jazz scene. But there’s another side to his music that you may not know about unless you were there, watching him perform at Naptown clubs — Pookie also sang the blues. Join host Rodney Stepp for never-before-heard recordings of Pookie Johnson performing live in Indianapolis.

Celebrate the extraordinary career of Herbie Hancock, one of the greatest living legends of American music. Over the course of his remarkable career, he has collaborated with some of Indiana Avenue’s greatest jazz artists, including the Indianapolis-born icons Wes Montgomery, J.J. Johnson, and Freddie Hubbard. Join host Rodney Stepp as Herbie Hancock reflects on his work with these legendary musicians.

Join host Rodney Stepp in celebrating one of Indianapolis's most accomplished and underappreciated vocalists and legends of Naptown soul music, Alfonzo Surrett.

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue, we'll spotlight the music of Fred Monroe, an unsung Naptown saxophonist who spent more than five decades performing on the Indianapolis jazz scene.

This is the last of our three-part series celebrating the music of the late Indianapolis percussionist Cecil Hunt, whose conga playing helped define the sound of the legendary Naptown soul-jazz group Funk Inc.  Hear selections from Hunt's last recording sessions with Funk Inc., along with previously unheard live performances recorded in Indianapolis during the 1980s.

This is the second of our three-part series celebrating the music of the late Cecil Hunt — an Indianapolis-born percussionist whose conga drums helped define the sound of the legendary Naptown soul-jazz group Funk Inc. On this week’s edition we’ll focus on the Funk Inc. albums “Hangin’ Out” and “Superfunk.”

Join us for the next three weeks as we celebrate the music of the late Cecil Hunt — an Indianapolis-born percussionist whose conga drums helped define the sound of the legendary Naptown soul-jazz group Funk Inc. Enjoy classic Funk Inc. recordings and never-before-heard live recordings of Cecil Hunt performing in Naptown during the 1980s.

Decades before Juneteenth became widely observed across Indiana, the Avenue was already celebrating freedom through music. Explore the history of a 1953 landmark concert on Indiana Avenue, one of the first Juneteenth celebrations in Indianapolis. On June 19th, the Avenue’s Sunset Terrace club hosted an all-star concert featuring R&B performers Johnny Otis, Marie Adams, Mel Walker, and Redd Lyte. The event was sponsored by Indianapolis's Black firefighters and police officers as a community fundraiser.

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue, we remember the legendary Naptown funk vocalist Kevin “Flash” Ferrell, who died on May 30, 2026. Flash performed with some of Indianapolis’s most influential funk bands, including Rhythm Machine, Redd Hott, and Manchild. Hear music from across his career, along with reflections on his legacy from former Manchild manager Sid Johnson.

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue, we’ll pay tribute to the legendary jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins. He died on May 25th, 2026, at the age of 95. Explore Rollins’ collaborations with the jazz masters of Indiana Avenue and trace the connections between his work and the musicians who helped define the sound of Naptown jazz.

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue, meet the show's host Rodney Stepp — a legendary Indianapolis keyboardist and bandleader. We'll hear music from his recent Small Studio Session performance for WFYI, along with a conversation between Stepp and Echoes producer Kyle Long. They discuss his deep roots in the Indianapolis music scene and his years touring the world with The Spinners.

This is our third and final installment of our centennial celebration of Miles Davis. May 26 marks the 100th anniversary of his birth. Join Rodney Stepp as we spotlight the music of Carl Perkins, one of the most important jazz pianists to emerge from Indiana Avenue, and one of Miles Davis' favorite pianists.

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue, we’ll continue our centennial celebration of Miles Davis — May 26 marks the 100th anniversary of his birth. He influenced musicians around the world, including two of Naptown’s most iconic jazz stars: guitarist Wes Montgomery and trumpeter Freddie Hubbard. Join us for songs featuring Montgomery and Hubbard performing the music of Miles Davis.

On May 26, 2026, music fans around the world will mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Miles Davis — the legendary jazz trumpeter, composer, and bandleader whose life stands as one of the defining stories in American music. Join host Rodney Stepp to celebrate Davis’ centennial by listening to his work with the legendary Naptown trombonist J. J. Johnson. Photo courtesy of the Indiana Historical Society.

Join host Rodney Stepp as we explore “The Lost Sessions,” a new release from one of Naptown's most historic funk bands: Ebony Rhythm Funk Campaign. These newly recovered recordings capture the band at a pivotal moment and document a sound in transition, as they added a jazzier edge to its trademark funk style. We’ll be joined by the group’s co-founder and bassist, Lester Johnson.

Join guest host Rodney Stepp as we explore the history of Words of Wisdom, a popular Naptown soul group of the early 1970s. They released two singles, including a 1973 record on Lamp Records and a 1976 recording for IX Chains. We’ll share interviews with members of the group and their manager, Rickie Clark, and examine the contributions of songwriter Charles “Moose” Amos.

Join guest host Rodney Stepp for the final episode in our two-part series celebrating the music of the late drummer Jozell Carter. On this week’s show, we focus on Carter’s work in the Naptown jazz scene, featuring performances with Billy Wooten, Steve Weakley, Jonathan Wood, and the Small Talk Quintet.

Earlier this year, the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation announced its 2026 inductees for the Indianapolis Jazz Hall of Fame, including the late drummer Jozell Carter — a pioneering force in soul jazz music known for his bold, powerful sound. For the next two weeks, join guest host Rodney Stepp, as we explore Carter’s music and legacy. This week’s program spotlights his recordings with vibraphonist Johnny Lytle.

Guest host Rodney Stepp pays tribute to John Terrell, founder of KnapTown Records. His label created opportunities for young local musicians, including Stepp. In 1970, his group, Jazzie Cazzie and the Eight Sounds, released a single with them. Hear rare recordings from the KnapTown catalog and conversations with the artists behind it, including The Sentimentals.

Celebrate Women’s History Month with guest host Debbie Nelson, featuring music from the legendary blues women of Naptown. Blues was one of the most popular forms of entertainment on Indiana Avenue, and some of the earliest recordings in the genre were made by women.

The Avenue was home to many legendary girl groups. Join guest host Debbie Nelson as we celebrate Women’s History Month with a tribute to these groups, featuring the Pearls, the Indys, the Stovall Singers, the Chordelles, Joy Upton, Josephine Cheatham, Ethel McCane, and Pam Tanner.

2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of John Coltrane, one of the most influential musicians in jazz history. Join guest host Rodney Stepp as we celebrate Coltrane’s centennial by exploring his connections to Indiana Avenue.

Celebrate the life and legacy of M.L. Allen Jr., a legendary Indianapolis gospel songwriter and guitarist who passed away on January 26 at the age of 89.

Celebrate the life and music of Orville “Hoppy” Jones, a founding member of the Ink Spots, a legendary vocal group with roots in the Indiana Avenue scene. Hoppy developed a unique “talking bass” — a spoken-word recitation that helped define the group’s sound.

Explore the music of the Indianapolis saxophonist, bandleader, and music educator Larry Leggett, known professionally as Larry Liggett. In 2004, his contributions to Indiana music were acknowledged by the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation, which inducted Liggett into the Indianapolis Jazz Hall of Fame. We’ll share rare recordings, including his work for the legendary Chicago label Chess Records.

Listen to music from Enoch “Sonny Boy” Williams, a Rhythm & Blues pianist and vocalist from Indianapolis. He began performing professionally in 1935, quickly establishing himself as a regular presence at Indiana Avenue venues.

On December 19, 1970, the Indianapolis affiliate of the Southern Leadership Conference’s Operation Breadbasket held a “Black Christmas Parade” on Indiana Avenue. Listen to a tribute to the parade, featuring an hour of music from Indianapolis funk bands that performed there.

Celebrate the Christmas holiday at Sea Ferguson’s Cotton Club — a legendary Avenue nightclub that hosted the greatest stars in American music, from Ray Charles to Louis Armstrong.

Celebrate the December birthday of the late, great jazz organist Jimmy Smith by listening to his recordings with the Avenue jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery.

The music of Indiana Avenue has been sampled dozens of times, by famous artists including Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, A Tribe Called Quest, and many more. Listen back to this archived episode to hear some of the most sampled artists from the Avenue.

Very few Hoosiers are aware of the Avenue’s important rock and roll history. This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue, we’ll pay tribute to the early rock and roll heroes of Naptown, including music from Roosevelt Johnson, Toni Cavanaugh, Lois Blaine, Thurston Harris, Tiny Brown, Bobby Lewis and more.

Celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday by looking back at Thanksgiving night concerts and dances held on Indiana Avenue. For some Avenue residents, Thanksgiving didn’t end at the dinner table. Holiday gatherings often continued late into the night at neighborhood ballrooms and clubs, where music was as important as turkey and pumpkin pie.

Revisit Indiana Avenue's history as the birthplace of Hoosier rock and roll. Hear live performances and recordings of artists like Chuck Berry, the Ink Spots, and Champion Jack Dupree.

2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of blues icon B.B. King. We'll celebrate his birthday by exploring his connections to Indiana Avenue and its musicians, including multiple dates at the Sunset Terrace and the Walker Theatre.

On October 26, 2025, the legendary jazz drummer Jack DeJohnette passed away at the age of 83. DeJohnette was one of the greatest drummers in modern jazz. During his six-decade career, DeJohnette led numerous ensembles and recorded prolifically, including six classic albums with Naptown jazz icon Freddie Hubbard.

Explore the music of Brooks Berry, an important Naptown blues vocalist and guitarist. Though she left behind just a handful of recordings, the artistry and emotional depth of her music have ensured that her legacy lives on. Brooks worked extensively with the Naptown guitar master Scrapper Blackwell and all of her recordings feature Blackwell on guitar or piano.

Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of legendary jazz saxophonist and flutist James Moody. Listen to his work with the jazz masters of Indiana Avenue, including rare, unreleased live recordings of him performing with the legendary Naptown jazz drummer Larry Clark.

Ahead of the new PBS documentary, “King of Them All: The Story of King Records,” enjoy an hour of music from Avenue artists who recorded for King, including The Hampton Family, Flo Garvin, Sarah McLawler, Bill Jennings, Thurston Harris, and more.

Listen to an hour of music celebrating the legacy of The Bebop Society of Indianapolis. Hear rare recordings from Avenue musicians, including Wes Montgomery, Carl Perkins, David Baker, Pookie Johnson and more.

This is the final episode in our three-part series celebrating the work of the bass player Leonard Wilson Swain Jr., better known as “Heavy” Swain, an unsung hero of the Avenue music scene. On this edition, we’ll focus on Swain’s work with Tiny Bradshaw, Willis Jackson, T.N.T Tribble, and Frank Motley.

This is the second episode in our three-part series celebrating the work of the bass player Leonard Wilson Swain Jr., better known as “Heavy” Swain, an unsung hero of the Avenue music scene. We’ll focus on Swain’s work with the legendary jazz trumpeter and bandleader Cootie Williams. Swain was a member of Williams’ orchestra from 1947 to 1949.

Celebrate the work of the bass player Leonard Wilson Swain Jr., better known as “Heavy” Swain, an unsung hero of the Avenue music scene. This episode is Part 1 of 3, focusing on his recordings with “Champion” Jack Dupree and Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson.

Listen to an interview with the legendary Indianapolis gospel keyboardist Ezra Bufford, known for his work with the Pentecostal Ambassadors. In 1988, Bufford was voted “Instrumentalist of the Year” by the Indianapolis Gospel Music Awards.

August of 2025 marks the 100th birthday of the late jazz pianist Oscar Peterson. Listen to music featuring Peterson’s work with the jazz masters of Indiana Avenue, including Slide Hampton, Freddie Hubbard, J.J. Johnson and more.

Listen to the final episode in our two-part series exploring the music of Rapture, a legendary Indianapolis funk band led by keyboardist Rodney Stepp in the late 1970s. Hear interviews with Rapture’s Rodney Stepp, Lonnie Williams and Greg Russell. Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds will also share his memories--his band Manchild was one of Rapture’s biggest rivals.

The keyboardist and bandleader Rodney Stepp is among the greatest living legends of the Avenue neighborhood. For the next two weeks, listen to an interview with Rodney as he shares the history of his band Rapture, which was a dominating force in the 1970s Indianapolis club scene.

Listen to the final episode in our three-part series exploring the music of Gilbert “Honey” Hill, an important Indianapolis blues pianist. This edition focuses on Hill’s final classic blues recordings with Little Bill Gaither.

The second episode in our three-part series exploring the music of Gilbert “Honey” Hill, an important Indianapolis blues pianist. We’ll focus on Hill’s work with the blues star Bumble Bee Slim. They cut over 25 songs together for Decca Records during the summer of 1936.

For the next three weeks on Echoes of Indiana Avenue, learn about the music of Gilbert “Honey” Hill, an Indianapolis blues pianist. On this week’s episode, listen to Hill’s early recordings with Little Bill Gaither.