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.