Echoes of Indiana Avenue

During the 1970s, the Indianapolis music scene produced several important funk bands – including Amnesty, an eight-piece ensemble known for their hard-hitting grooves and soaring vocal harmonies.  In 1973, Amnesty traveled to New Palestine, Indiana – a small town east of Indianapolis. Their destination was 700 West, a modest recording studio located in the home of Moe Whittemore.  Amnesty recorded...

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue we’ll share the final episode in our two-part series on Rhythm Machine, a legendary funk band that emerged from Indianapolis during the 1970s.  Over the years, the band has attracted an international cult following among funk fans. Original copies of their releases sell for hundreds of dollars, and their songs have appeared on television and video game soundtr...

For the next two weeks on Echoes of Indiana Avenue we’ll explore the history of Rhythm Machine, a legendary funk band that emerged from Indianapolis during the 1970s.  Rhythm Machine were formed during the early 1970s by former members of The Highlighters – including James Boone, and James Brantley. The band recorded an LP and multiple singles — but that music was largely ignored at the time of it...

Join us this week for a special Pride month edition of Echoes of Indiana Avenue. We’ll be looking back at the history of drag queens, and trans performers on the Avenue. They were billed as female impersonators, and nearly every Avenue club featured these artists.  We’ll share rare recordings by entertainers affiliated with Valda Gray’s performance ensemble, including Petite Swanson, Billie McAlli...

Legendary Indianapolis club DJ Thomas J. Griffin, also known as Sparkle Soxx, was one of the first club DJs in Indianapolis. In 1973, he began spinning funk and soul music at venues across the city. He visits Echoes of Indiana Avenue to discuss his multi-decade DJ career and notable work in broadcasting as an announcer for WTLC and The Reggie Miller Show.

From the 1920s to the 1960s, the biggest stars in American music regularly performed on Indiana Avenue in Indianapolis. This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue, hear the first in a new series that looks at the music icons who performed in Indy’s Black cultural hub.    This edition focuses on rock and roll and R&B musicians – including Tina Turner, Little Richard, Aretha Franklin, Jimi Hendrix a...

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue we’ll celebrate the May birthday of Pha Terrell, an influential big band singer that had strong ties to the Avenue.  Pha Terrell was born in Kansas City, Missouri on May 25th of 1910. In 1934, he was discovered by Andy Kirk, bandleader for the Twelve Clouds of Joy. Terrell enjoyed a successful partnership with Kirk - from 1936 to 1940, Terrell cut over 40 song...

In this second episode in our two-part series with Claudia Polley, we'll focus on Claudia's work in broadcasting and historic preservation. As a vocalist, Claudia studied classical music at the Juilliard School. During the 1970s, she became a disco music star in France. In the 1980s, and ‘90s, she produced critically acclaimed jazz and blues recordings for Mapleshade Records. Claudia is also a tra...

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue, we'll share the first episode in our two-part series with Claudia Polley.  As a vocalist, Claudia studied classical music at the famous Juilliard School in New York. During the 1970s, she became a disco music star in France. In the 1980s, and ‘90s, she produced critically acclaimed jazz and blues recordings for Mapleshade Records.  Claudia is also a trailblaz...

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue we’ll celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Little Miss Cornshucks – a pioneer of rhythm and blues music. She was born Mildred Cummings in Dayton, Ohio in May of 1923, and died in Indianapolis in November of 1999. Little Miss Cornshucks played some of her first, and last gigs in Indianapolis – including an early appearance on Indiana Avenue in 1945....

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue we'll share an hour of words and music with Paul Thomas, best known for his work with the Circle City Band. The group's 1983 single "Magic" is an underground soul classic with over a million streams online.  Thomas played some of his first gigs on the Avenue, performing at clubs like the Blue Eagle with Billy Wooten and Harvey Cook. Thomas' family has a deep h...

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue we'll feature an hour of words and music with Bobby Banner - a legendary Indianapolis vocalist, dancer, and costume designer. Bobby Banner has been performing in Naptown for over 50 years, working with the Hamilton Movement, The Bad Boys, and Billy Ball’s Upsetters – a band he currently leads today.

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue we’ll share the final episode in our two part series with Debbie Nelson, a legendary Naptown blues and soul vocalist. Nelson rose to prominence in the late 1960s singing at local clubs, like the Surfside Seven. Nelson has worked with some of Naptown’s greatest musicians – including Jimmy Coe, Billy Wooten, and members of Funk Incorporated.

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue we’ll share the first episode in our two-part series with Debbie Nelson, a legendary Naptown blues and soul vocalist. Nelson rose to prominence in the late 1960s singing at local clubs, like the Surfside Seven. Nelson has worked with some of Naptown’s greatest musicians – including Jimmy Coe, Billy Wooten, and members of Funk Incorporated. Tune in this week as...

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue we’ll pay tribute to the legendary jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter, he passed away in March at the age of 89. Wayne Shorter came to prominence in the late 1950s as a member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. From 1964 to 1970, Shorter was a member of the Miles Davis Quintet. In 1970 he co-founded Weather Report, an all-star jazz fusion band that attained internat...

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue, we’ll continue our month-long celebration of Wes Montgomery. This March marks the 100th anniversary of his birth.  We’ll hear memories of Wes Montgomery from musicians who lived, or worked on the Avenue — including Everett Greene, Wanda Stafford, Jimmy Gilford, Johnny Shacklett, Phil Ranelin, and more. We’ll also listen to music from these artists, along with...

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue we’ll share the third episode in our three-part series celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Wes Montgomery - a legendary jazz guitarist, and one of the most beloved Indianapolis musicians.   

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue we’ll share the second episode in our three-part series celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Wes Montgomery - a legendary jazz guitarist, and one of the most beloved Indianapolis musicians.  Tune in, as we explore Montgomery's emergence as a jazz star. We'll be sharing music from Montgomery's early work as a session leader, along with rare live re...

This March marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Wes Montgomery - a legendary jazz guitarist, and one of the most beloved Indianapolis musicians.  To celebrate, Echoes of Indiana Avenue will air a three-part series documenting the evolution of Wes Montgomery’s sound - from his first known recordings in 1948, to his last live performances in the late 1960s.  Tune in this week as we explore We...

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue we’ll explore Ranelin’s new album “Jazz is Dead Vol. 16”, and we'll listen back to a 2018 interview Ranelin recorded with WFYI's Kyle Long.   Phil Ranelin was born in Indianapolis in 1939. He's best known for his work with the Tribe, a radical Detroit jazz collective that mixed music with social justice. But Ranelin's career began in Naptown, performing with l...

The Indianapolis blues legend Scrapper Blackwell is among the most important musicians connected to the Indiana Avenue scene.  Blackwell’s unique guitar style influenced many generations of blues guitarists - from Robert Johson, to Eric Clapton. This February marks the 120th anniversary of Blackwell’s birth. To celebrate, we’ll be sharing a special two-part edition of Echoes of Indiana Avenue, fea...

The Indianapolis blues legend Scrapper Blackwell is among the most important musicians connected to the Indiana Avenue scene.  Blackwell’s unique guitar style influenced many generations of blues guitarists - from Robert Johson, to Eric Clapton. This February marks the 120th anniversary of Blackwell’s birth. To celebrate, we’ll be sharing a special two-part edition of Echoes of Indiana Avenue, fea...

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue we’ll explore the Latin sound of the iconic Indianapolis jazz musician Freddie Hubbard.  Throughout his career, Hubbard recorded with important Latin musicians - including Ray Barretto, Giovanni Hidalgo, Poncho Sanchez and others. And Hubbard's original compositions were performed by many prominent Latin jazz bandleaders - including Tito Puente, Willie Bobo, H...

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue, we share an hour of words and music with vocalist Joy Upton. Upton had a notable career in the Indianapolis soul scene. She performed with some of Naptown’s most legendary musicians, including Steve Weakley, Rodney Stepp, Billy Wooten and more. Upton was also a member of important Indianapolis girl groups, including The Flurelles and The Lovely Shades of Brow...

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue we’ll celebrate the January birthday of the late Indianapolis pianist, vibraphonist, and composer Buddy Montgomery.  Buddy is best known as the younger brother of Wes Montgomery - but Buddy was a significant artist in his own right. Buddy performed with major jazz figures including John Coltrane and Miles Davis, and his compositions are still performed by musi...