Exploring John Coltrane’s connections to Indiana Avenue

March 08, 2026

2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of John Coltrane, one of the most influential musicians in jazz history. Join guest host Rodney Stepp as we celebrate Coltrane’s centennial by exploring his connections to Indiana Avenue.

Indianapolis musicians were part of Coltrane’s story from the very beginning. Coltrane credited the Naptown bandleader Joe Webb with providing one of his first professional gigs. Coltrane himself appeared on the Avenue at least twice during his career, including a week-long residency at the Chateau de Count & Eve.

Join us for music exploring Coltrane’s work with Naptown musicians including Joe Mitchell, Freddie Hubbard, J.J. Johnson, Ray Appleton, and Buddy Montgomery.