Echoes of Indiana Avenue

Celebrate Pride month by looking back at the history of female impersonators and drag queens on the Avenue. Listen to rare recordings featuring the work of female impersonators connected to the Avenue scene, along with interviews featuring Avenue artists who worked alongside them.

In May of 2025, the Indianapolis keyboardist DeMorris “DeGe” Smith passed away. Smith was a beloved figure in the Naptown funk scene, known for his soulful keyboard work and his dedication to the local music community. Join us as we pay tribute to Smith with music featuring his work as a funk keyboardist.

Enjoy the final episode in our three-part series exploring the music of Phil Ranelin, a legendary Indianapolis jazz trombonist. On this edition, Ranelin will discuss his lifelong friendship with jazz star Freddie Hubbard.

Phil Ranelin reflects on his work with Wes Montgomery and performing on Indiana Avenue. He will also discuss how his work has been embraced by a new generation of musicians, including Madlib, Kamasi Washington, and Carlos Niño.

Celebrate the anniversary of Phil Ranelin’s birthday by exploring his work in music. Listen to a recent interview he recorded with WFYI’s Kyle Long, along with classic recordings from his discography and recent releases, including "The Found Tapes: Live in Los Angeles” and “Tribe 2000.”

This week on Echoes of Indiana, we're joined by bassist and Ebony Rhythm Funk Campaign co-founder Lester Johnson to reflect on his early years in music.

Listen to music from Herve Duerson and Turner Parrish, two important pianists who were active in the Indianapolis scene during the 1920s and ’30s.

WFYI recently hosted a screening of the new PBS documentary WE WANT THE FUNK! at the Kan-Kan Cinema. The film explores the history of funk music, from its early jazz roots to its rise into popular culture. Before the screening, WFYI’s Kyle Long moderated a panel discussion. Listen to excerpts from that conversation and music from legendary Indianapolis funk bands.

During the mid-20th Century, social clubs played a large role in the Black music scene of Indianapolis, hosting major concerts and dances across the city. One of the earliest to make an impact was The Bohemian Club. Celebrate its history by listening to music from artists who performed at their events.

Celebrate the birthday of iconic jazz trumpet player, Freddie Hubbard, born in Indianapolis in 1938. Hubbard’s technical mastery of the trumpet earned widespread critical acclaim, and his influence extends beyond jazz, shaping hip-hop as well. His recordings have been sampled by some of rap’s most respected artists, including A Tribe Called Quest, Raekwon, Common, J Dilla, and MF DOOM.

The legendary jazz musician Roy Ayers passed away earlier this year. Born in Los Angeles, California in 1940, he is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in jazz, funk, and soul music. On this episode, listen to music featuring Ayers’ work with Naptown musicians.

Celebrate Women’s History Month with music featuring the early blues women of Naptown during the 1920s and ‘30s.

Celebrate Women’s History Month with music from the soul women of Indiana Avenue, including Debbie Nelson, Pam Tanner, Elaine Livingston, Josephine Cheatham, Care Package, Charlotte Bailey, and more.

Celebrate Women’s History Month as we look back at Hazel Johnson’s Women in Jazz festival. It ran from 1986 to 1991 at the Madam Walker Theatre and featured many important women from the Indianapolis jazz scene. Listen to music from artists who performed there, including never-before-heard live recordings of Hazel Johnson.

Celebrate Women’s History Month with music from The Hampton Sisters, a legendary Indianapolis jazz quartet featuring Dawn, Virtue, Carmelita, and Aletra Hampton. The Hampton Sisters formed as an independent band during World War 2, when many male musicians were serving in the Armed Forces.

Explore the music of Arthur “Montana” Taylor, an important blues and boogie-woogie pianist who performed on Indiana Avenue during the 1920s. Montana is best known for a series of recordings he made in 1929 with the Vocalion Record Company. Among those recordings was an instrumental composition titled “Indiana Avenue Stomp”.

Listen to the final episode in a three-part series exploring the complete works of Alonzo "Pookie" Johnson, a legendary Indianapolis jazz saxophonist. We’ll share music from Johnson’s 1996 album “Legacy” and his 2003 recording with The Hampton Sisters.

Listen to the second episode of our three-part series exploring the complete works Alonzo "Pookie" Johnson, a legendary Indianapolis jazz saxophonist. This episode includes rare and unreleased recordings featuring Johnson’s work with Uncle Funkenstein, Jimmy Coe, Billy Wooten, and Steve Allee.

Enjoy the first in our three-part series on the complete recordings of the late Alonzo “Pookie” Johnson, a legendary Indiana Avenue jazz saxophonist. This episode explores Johnson’s early recordings.

Join us for a remembrance of Rev. Dennis H. Freeman, an important figure in Indianapolis gospel music. Freeman passed away on January 15, 2025, at 84. Listen to a 2021 interview WFYI’s Kyle long recorded with Freeman, along with rare recordings of his music.

Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, with an hour of gospel music from artists who performed on the Avenue, as we explore the connection between gospel music and the struggle for civil rights. Also, hear an interview with the Indianapolis-based historic preservationist Claudia Polley, who attended King’s 1959 speech in the Avenue neighborhood.

For nearly 100 years, the term Naptown has been used as a nickname for the city of Indianapolis. Listen to music celebrating Naptown from local jazz, blues, and soul musicians.

Explore the life and music of saxophonist Eddie Chamblee, best known for his work in jazz and R&B music. Chamblee worked with many legendary performers, including Lionel Hampton, T-Bone Walker, Memphis Slim, and Dinah Washington.

Learn about the legendary Avenue jazz drummer and entrepreneur Al Coleman, who passed away in February 2024. Hear interviews with his brother, organist Phil Coleman, and his friend and bandmate, guitarist Steve Weakley. 

Learn about the history of Indianapolis Recorder’s midnight Christmas benefit concerts at the Walker Theatre through interviews with Indianapolis musicians and media personalities who performed at the shows.