DONATE
Back to: Echoes of Indiana Avenue
Image Info: Bill Kenny and Orville Hoppy Jones of The Ink Spots perform.
The Original Rapper: Orville “Hoppy” Jones
December 15, 2022
Celebrate the music of Orville “Hoppy” Jones, a founding member of the Ink Spots. Hoppy played bass fiddle, but he was best known for his “talking bass” parts - a spoken-word recitation that was frequently utilized in Ink Spots recordings. Hoppy's talking “bass style” was immensely popular with music fans, and you might say Hoppy was the original rapper.
Listen
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...
Celebrating the music of Naptown bassist Heavy Swain – Part 1
September 7, 2025
Celebrate the work of the bass player Leonard Wilson Swain Jr., better known as “Heavy”...
The legendary Naptown gospel keyboardist Ezra Bufford
August 31, 2025
Listen to an interview with the legendary Indianapolis gospel keyboardist Ezra Bufford, known...
Oscar Peterson and the masters of Indiana Avenue jazz
August 24, 2025
August of 2025 marks the 100th birthday of the late jazz pianist Oscar Peterson. Listen to...
The history of Rodney Stepp’s legendary Naptown funk band Rapture – Part 2
August 17, 2025
Listen to the final episode in our two-part series exploring the music of Rapture, a legendary...
The history of Rodney Stepp’s legendary Naptown funk band Rapture – Part 1
August 10, 2025
The keyboardist and bandleader Rodney Stepp is among the greatest living legends of the Avenue...
The music of Naptown blues pianist Honey Hill – Part 3
August 3, 2025
Listen to the final episode in our three-part series exploring the music of Gilbert “Honey”...
The music of Naptown blues pianist Honey Hill – Part 2
July 27, 2025
The second episode in our three-part series exploring the music of Gilbert “Honey”...
The music of Naptown blues pianist Honey Hill
July 20, 2025
For the next three weeks on Echoes of Indiana Avenue, learn about the music of Gilbert “Honey”...
Remembering the vocalist and teacher Lexie Webster
July 13, 2025
Celebrate the life of the Indianapolis teacher and vocalist Lexie Webster, who passed away...
The music of Indiana jazz trumpeter Reunald Jones – Part 3
July 6, 2025
Listen to the final episode in our three-part series exploring the music of Reunald Jones,...
The music of Indiana jazz trumpeter Reunald Jones – Part 2
June 29, 2025
Listen to the second episode in our three-part series exploring the music of Reunald Jones,...
View More Programs
Support WFYI. We can't do it without you.