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The early years of Ebony Rhythm Funk Campaign’s Lester Johnson
May 4, 2025
This week on Echoes of Indiana, we're joined by bassist and Ebony Rhythm Funk Campaign co-founder Lester Johnson to reflect on his early years in music.
Naptown pianists Herve Duerson and Turner Parrish
April 27, 2025
Listen to music from Herve Duerson and Turner Parrish, two important pianists who were active in the Indianapolis scene during the 1920s and ’30s.
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 Cinema. The film explores the history of funk music, from its early jazz roots to its rise into popular culture. Before the screening, WFYI’s Kyle Long moderated a panel discussion. Listen to excerpts from that conversation and music from legendary Indianapolis funk bands.
Indiana Avenue’s Bohemian Club
April 13, 2025
During the mid-20th Century, social clubs played a large role in the Black music scene of Indianapolis, hosting major concerts and dances across the city. One of the earliest to make an impact was The Bohemian Club. Celebrate its history by listening to music from artists who performed at their events.
Freddie Hubbard rap samples
April 6, 2025
Celebrate the birthday of iconic jazz trumpet player, Freddie Hubbard, born in Indianapolis in 1938. Hubbard’s technical mastery of the trumpet earned widespread critical acclaim, and his influence extends beyond jazz, shaping hip-hop as well. His recordings have been sampled by some of rap’s most respected artists, including A Tribe Called Quest, Raekwon, Common, J Dilla, and MF DOOM.
Roy Ayers’ Avenue connections
March 30, 2025
The legendary jazz musician Roy Ayers passed away earlier this year. Born in Los Angeles, California in 1940, he is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in jazz, funk, and soul music. On this episode, listen to music featuring Ayers’ work with Naptown musicians.
The early blues women of Naptown
March 23, 2025
Celebrate Women’s History Month with music featuring the early blues women of Naptown during the 1920s and ‘30s.
The soul women of Indiana Avenue
March 16, 2025
Celebrate Women’s History Month with music from the soul women of Indiana Avenue, including Debbie Nelson, Pam Tanner, Elaine Livingston, Josephine Cheatham, Care Package, Charlotte Bailey, and more.
Hazel Johnson's Women in Jazz festival
March 9, 2025
Celebrate Women’s History Month as we look back at Hazel Johnson’s Women in Jazz festival. It ran from 1986 to 1991 at the Madam Walker Theatre and featured many important women from the Indianapolis jazz scene. Listen to music from artists who performed there, including never-before-heard live recordings of Hazel Johnson.
The best of The Hampton Sisters
March 2, 2025
Celebrate Women’s History Month with music from The Hampton Sisters, a legendary Indianapolis jazz quartet featuring Dawn, Virtue, Carmelita, and Aletra Hampton. The Hampton Sisters formed as an independent band during World War 2, when many male musicians were serving in the Armed Forces.
Indiana Avenue Stomp – The music of Montana Taylor
February 23, 2025
Explore the music of Arthur “Montana” Taylor, an important blues and boogie-woogie pianist who performed on Indiana Avenue during the 1920s. Montana is best known for a series of recordings he made in 1929 with the Vocalion Record Company. Among those recordings was an instrumental composition titled “Indiana Avenue Stomp”.
The complete Pookie Johnson - Part 3
February 16, 2025
Listen to the final episode in a three-part series exploring the complete works of Alonzo "Pookie" Johnson, a legendary Indianapolis jazz saxophonist. We’ll share music from Johnson’s 1996 album “Legacy” and his 2003 recording with The Hampton Sisters.
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