Kyle Long

Hear words and music from Indianapolis-based singer, songwriter, and guitarist Naomi Pulver. She is building a growing audience for her finely crafted music, a sound that blends elements of pop, folk, and R&B with deeply personal songwriting. Raised in Colorado as the youngest of eight children in a multicultural household, Pulver began exploring questions of identity, family, and belonging at an early age — themes that continue to shape her music today.

Born in Colombia, Edmar Castañeda is celebrated worldwide as one of the most innovative harpists in modern music. His work combines the folk traditions of his homeland with contemporary jazz. A Latin Grammy nominee, Castañeda has collaborated with artists including Wynton Marsalis and Béla Fleck and introduced his music to millions through the soundtrack of Disney’s Encanto.

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.

For over 30 years, Rusty Redenbacher has been a fixture of the Indianapolis music scene, performing as a vocalist with rock and hip-hop groups including The Mudkids, Birdmen of Alcatraz, and The Last IV. He joins Kyle Long to discuss his history in music, including battling Eminem at Scribble Jam in 1997, and his latest project, Rusty Redenbacher is Nasty Slim, which expands his skill set to producing beats.

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.

Asian American musicians are shaping Indiana's sound — and this week, Cultural Manifesto celebrates AANHPI Heritage Month with music that proves it. Hear from Indiana artists with roots in Afghanistan, Vietnam, China, India, Myanmar, and beyond.

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.

Hear Kyle Long’s conversation with Bloomington-based musician Jermaine Butler— also known as Jermaine from the South — an artist who defies easy categorization. Butler's submission to NPR's Tiny Desk Contest, titled "Dan Vi-Çila”, earned a coveted Top Shelf selection, drawing praise from Tiny Desk producer Bobby Carter and guest judge Tierra Whack. He is set to unveil a new project rooted in the culture of his home state — rapping in Louisiana Creole.

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.

"All-American Ghetto" is the debut album from Indiana rapper, musician, and writer Foosie. The record draws on his life — from growing up in Indianapolis to serving a 20-year prison sentence.