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Image Info: Wes Montgomery
Indiana Avenue Remembers Wes Montgomery
March 28, 2023
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 classic tracks by Wes Montgomery.
Listen
The original talking bass - Orville “Hoppy” Jones and the Ink Spots
February 8, 2026
Celebrate the life and music of Orville “Hoppy” Jones, a founding member of the...
Bandleader, teacher, and saxophonist Larry Liggett
January 25, 2026
Explore the music of the Indianapolis saxophonist, bandleader, and music educator Larry Leggett,...
The Naptown R&B pioneer Enoch “Sonny Boy” Wiliams
January 11, 2026
Listen to music from Enoch “Sonny Boy” Williams, a Rhythm & Blues pianist and...
Indiana Avenue’s Black Christmas Party
December 14, 2025
On December 19, 1970, the Indianapolis affiliate of the Southern Leadership Conference’s...
Celebrating Christmas at Sea Ferguson’s Cotton Club
December 7, 2025
Celebrate the Christmas holiday at Sea Ferguson’s Cotton Club — a legendary Avenue...
Celebrating the musical collaboration of Wes Montgomery and Jimmy Smith
November 30, 2025
Celebrate the December birthday of the late, great jazz organist Jimmy Smith by listening to...
ARCHIVES: Rap Songs that Sampled the Avenue
November 26, 2025
The music of Indiana Avenue has been sampled dozens of times, by famous artists including Jay-Z,...
Thanksgiving night dances on the Avenue
November 23, 2025
Celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday by looking back at Thanksgiving night concerts and dances...
The early rock and roll heroes of Naptown
November 16, 2025
Very few Hoosiers are aware of the Avenue’s important rock and roll history. This week...
ARCHIVES: The Avenue as a Birthplace for Rock and Roll
November 11, 2025
Revisit Indiana Avenue's history as the birthplace of Hoosier rock and roll. Hear live performances...
B.B. King’s connection to Indiana Avenue
November 9, 2025
2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of blues icon B.B. King. We'll celebrate his...
Remembering Jack DeJohnette through his work with Freddie Hubbard
November 2, 2025
On October 26, 2025, the legendary jazz drummer Jack DeJohnette passed away at the age of 83....
The sorrowful blues of Naptown's Brooks Berry
October 19, 2025
Explore the music of Brooks Berry, an important Naptown blues vocalist and guitarist. Though...
James Moody and the jazz masters of Indiana Avenue
October 16, 2025
Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of legendary jazz saxophonist and flutist James...
Naptown musicians on King Records
October 8, 2025
Ahead of the new PBS documentary, “King of Them All: The Story of King Records,”...
The Bebop Society of Indianapolis
September 28, 2025
Listen to an hour of music celebrating the legacy of The Bebop Society of Indianapolis. Hear...
Celebrating the music of Naptown bassist Heavy Swain – Part 3
September 21, 2025
This is the final episode in our three-part series celebrating the work of the bass player...
Celebrating the music of Naptown bassist Heavy Swain – Part 2
September 14, 2025
This is the second episode in our three-part series celebrating the work of the bass player...
Black History Month Collection
Exploring the history of female impersonators on the Avenue
June 8, 2025
Celebrate Pride month by looking back at the history of female impersonators and drag queens...
Indianapolis music legends discuss the history of Naptown funk
April 20, 2025
WFYI recently hosted a screening of the new PBS documentary WE WANT THE FUNK! at the Kan-Kan...
The soul women of Indiana Avenue
March 16, 2025
Celebrate Women’s History Month with music from the soul women of Indiana Avenue, including...
The best of The Hampton Sisters
March 2, 2025
Celebrate Women’s History Month with music from The Hampton Sisters, a legendary Indianapolis...
The Ink Spots' influence on rock and roll
January 28, 2024
Explore the Ink Spots’ influence on rock and roll. The only Indianapolis act to be inducted...
Classical Musical Pioneers of the Avenue
September 30, 2022
Meet the classical music pioneers of the Avenue, including Carol Brice and David Baker.
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