Explore the life and music of Winston Walls, one of the most remarkable Hammond B-3 organists to emerge from the golden age of soul jazz.
Born in 1942 and raised in West Virginia, Walls became a major presence on the national jazz circuit during the 1960s. From the mid ‘60s into the ‘80s, Winston was a regular in the Naptown scene — spending extended periods of time, living and performing in the city. Winston became part of the Naptown jazz lineage, performing with local players like Billy Wooten, Bobby Watley, Everett Greene, Jozelle Carter, Mad Harold Cardwell, Clifford Ratliff, and James Bell’s Naptown Players.
Winston made his earliest known appearance in Naptown at the Hub-Bub jazz club in 1966. He’d go on to play at Indianapolis clubs including The Nineteenth Whole, Surfside Seven, Topper Lounge, Place to Start, The Excalibur, and the Barrington Lounge. And Winston appeared often in the Avenue neighborhood — playing gigs at The Queen of Clubs, The West End, and Walker Theatre.
Join host Rodney Stepp for music from Winston Walls, including never-before-heard performances recorded live in Indianapolis
