Advertise on podcast: Echoes of Indiana Avenue

Join host Rodney Stepp for the first episode in a three-part series celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of the late Naptown vocalist and keyboardist Sarah McLawler.

Hear a tribute to Indianapolis pianist and bandleader Millard Lee, a fixture of the Indiana Avenue music scene during the 1940s. Lee performed at clubs including the Sunset Terrace, the Cotton Club, and the 440 Club. He later joined B.B. King’s band, working as a pianist and bandleader from the mid-1950s until 1961.

Enjoy a tribute to Indianapolis rhythm and blues singer Iona Wade. A star of the Indiana Avenue scene during the 1940s, the Indianapolis Recorder called Wade Naptown’s “sweet songbird” and “the little girl with the big voice.” Over a career spanning more than 20 years, she performed with some of the greatest musicians in American music.

Explore the life and music of Winston Walls, one of the most remarkable Hammond B-3 organists to emerge from the golden age of soul jazz. He appeared often in the Avenue neighborhood — playing gigs at The Queen of Clubs, The West End, and Walker Theatre. We'll share never-before-heard performances by Walls, recorded live in Indianapolis.

Join host Rodney Stepp for music from Les "Bear" Taylor, featuring his work with Ella Fitzgerald, Bill Doggett, Floyd Smith, Mel Rhyne, Larry Clark, Bill Myers, and more. Taylor was a towering presence on the Indiana Avenue music scene — a big man with a big sound, and one of the most respected baritone sax players to come out of Naptown.

Before he became a celebrated figure in Philadelphia’s jazz scene, drummer Edgar Bateman spent part of the 1950s playing alongside legendary musicians in Naptown, including Jimmy Coe, Mel Rhyne and Pookie Johnson. Join host Rodney Stepp for music featuring Edgar Bateman — from his Indianapolis years to his collaborations with some of modern jazz’s most influential musicians.

Celebrate the music and remarkable career of Dawn Hampton. A member of Indianapolis’ legendary Hampton Family Band, Dawn was a gifted singer, saxophonist, dancer and jazz whistler who grew up in the Indiana Avenue neighborhood. Join host Rodney Stepp as we share rare recordings spanning her career.

Celebrate the 90th anniversary of the birth of the late Fort Wayne, Indiana jazz pianist Jack Wilson. During the 1960s, Wilson released acclaimed albums for labels including Atlantic Records and Blue Note and recorded with iconic names in American music. Join host Rodney Stepp for music spotlighting Wilson’s work with the jazz masters of Indiana Avenue.

Hear the final episode in our two-part series on Shirley Griffith — the Mississippi-born guitarist and singer who helped carry the sound of Delta blues to Indiana Avenue. We’ll share rare recordings he made in Indianapolis by folklorist Art Rosenbaum during the 1960s and music from Griffith’s final album, Mississippi Blues, released in 1973.

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.