Echoes of Indiana Avenue

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. T...

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 Historic...

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 Joh...

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.