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Best of 2023 - Part 1
January 7, 2024
This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue we’ll look back at some of our favorite music and interviews of 2023. Tune in for words and music from Phil Ranelin, George Chandler, Claudia Polley, and more.
New Year's Eve Dance Party
December 31, 2023
It's a New Year’s Eve dance party on Echoes of Indiana Avenue with classic dance music from Naptown funk and soul artists. We’ll also revisit local dance crazes like the “Hum-Bug” and “Funky 16 Corners.”
Christmas at the Pink Poodle
December 24, 2023
This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue we’ll celebrate Christmas at the Pink Poodle, a legendary Avenue nightclub. The club featured the biggest stars in jazz, comedy, and R&B music – including Aretha Franklin, Redd Foxx, Moms Mabley, Max Roach, Etta James, and many others.
Midnight Christmas Shows at the Walker
December 17, 2023
This week on Echoes of Avenue learn about the history of Indianapolis Recorder’s midnight Christmas benefit concerts at the Walker Theatre.
The Avenue promoter Matthew Dickerson
December 10, 2023
A tribute to Matthew Dickerson, an influential music promoter who lived and worked in the Avenue neighborhood. During his long career, Dickerson brought the biggest stars in jazz and R&B music to Naptown — including Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Fats Waller, James Brown, and many more.
George Chandler - from Haughville to London
December 3, 2023
Vocalist George Chandler shares his memories of performing in Haughville and his rise to fame in Europe.
The Spinners' Naptown Connection - Part 2
November 26, 2023
Allen “Turk” Burke and Rodney Stepp share music from an unreleased Spinners’ album Stepp and Turk produced in Indianapolis. And Stepp will recall performing with The Spinners at Muhammad Ali’s legendary “Rumble in the Jungle” in Zaire, Africa.
The Spinners' Naptown Connection - Part 1
November 19, 2023
Rodney Stepp and Allen “Turk” Burke share their memories of performing with the Spinners and discuss the Indianapolis musicians who contributed to the group’s legacy.
The Music of Russell Webster - Part 2
November 12, 2023
The final episode in our two-part series exploring the music of the late Russell Webster – a legendary Indianapolis saxophonist and composer. We’ll hear from musicians he influenced, including Steve Allee and Justin S. Kinchen.
The Music of Russell Webster - Part 1
November 5, 2023
The first episode in our two-part series exploring the music of the late Russell Webster – a legendary Indianapolis saxophonist and composer. We’ll be joined by Webster’s daughter, Bonita Webster-Coleman, and his wife, Lexie Webster. Russell Webster is best known for his self-produced 1983 double LP “Uncle Funkenstein," called a “holy grail of jazz.” Webster was born in Indianapolis in 1928. He studied music at the Jordan Conservatory and began playing on the Avenue as a teenager. Over the years, Webster played with the biggest stars on the Avenue — from Wes Montgomery to Jimmy Coe.
Dawn Hampton - The "Queen of Cabaret"
October 29, 2023
Dawn Hampton was best known for her work as a jazz and cabaret singer. She was a member of Indianapolis’ legendary Hampton family and performed extensively on the Avenue during the 1940s, and ‘50s. During the 1960s, and ‘70s Dawn became a popular singer in New York City, where she was known as the “queen of cabaret.”
The complete Guitar Pete Franklin - Part 2
October 22, 2023
This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue we’ll share the final episode of our two-part series exploring the complete recordings of Guitar Pete Franklin – a legendary Naptown blues musician. On this episode, hear Franklin’s final recordings – made in Indianapolis during the early 1960s.
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