Echoes of Indiana Avenue

Earlier this year, the legendary Indianapolis jazz drummer and entrepreneur Albert Coleman died. He was 96 years old. During his career in music, Coleman played with legendary Avenue musicians, including Wes Montgomery, Leroy Vineggar and Jimmy Coe. But Coleman is best known for his work with The 3 Souls, a jazz trio he co-founded in the late 1950s.      This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue, we’ll celebrate the life of Albert Coleman with an hour of music from The 3 Souls.   Albert Coleman was born in Indianapolis in 1927. He graduated from Crispus Attucks High School and studied music at the Jordan Conservatory. In addition to his work in music, Coleman was also a celebrated entrepreneur. He owned a vending machine company, a car wash and the Cole-Smith Manor motel. But Coleman’s best known business venture was Al’s British Lounge, an Indiana Avenue nightclub Coleman took ownership of in 1969. The British Lounge has been called the last great jazz club on the Avenue. Coleman also gave back to his community. In 1978, Coleman and his wife Anna opened the Jacer Inn Family Retreat in Rochdale, Indiana. The Jacer Inn retreat offered a variety of health and social services to inner-city residents.

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue, learn about the life and music of Enoch “Sonny Boy” Williams, a rhythm & blues pianist and vocalist from Indianapolis.  Williams cut a series of popular R&B recordings for Decca Records during the early 1940s. He’s best remembered for his 1943 single “Reverse the Charges”. That song was a minor hit for Williams and was covered by artists including Bud Powell and Etta Jones.  Williams was born in London, Kentucky in 1917, but he was raised in Indianapolis. Williams began performing in 1935. He appeared often at Avenue venues, including The Cotton Club, The Rhumboogie, and Sunset Terrace.

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue, learn about the history of Merging Traffic, an influential jazz fusion band that thrived in Indianapolis during the 1970s. Listen to interviews with Merging Traffic members Kenny Simms, George Benn, and Ricky Knox. Also, hear rare unreleased recordings from the group. Indianapolis music critics raved about Merging Traffic’s sound, and audiences packed local venues to hear the band. By all appearances, Merging Traffic were destined for national success, but the band split apart during the early 1980s. Merging Traffic will be reuniting for one night only at the Jazz Kitchen on April 10th.

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue, celebrate Women’s History Month with music from the “Boogie Woogie Queen” Christine Chatman. Chatman was born in Jackson, Tennessee in 1920 and she began playing piano at age 3. By age 15 Chatman was performing professionally and at 18 she was touring the midwest with the Leake Brothers Combo. During the early 1940s Chatman began living and working in Indianapolis. She started her own band and signed a contract with the Ferguson Brother’s Talent Agency, an artist management company based in the Indiana Avenue neighborhood. In 1944 Chatman released her debut single “Naptown Boogie”, a tribute to the city that helped launch her career. Join us this week to learn more about the life and music of Christine Chatman.

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue, celebrate Women’s History Month by learning about the legendary jazz women of Indiana Avenue. Listen to an hour of classic music from Indianapolis women who made historical contributions to jazz, including: Debbie Andrews, Sarah McLawler, Flo Garvin and the Hampton Sisters. Jazz vocalist Debbie Andrews gained fame in the 1950s performing with Wes Montgomery’s Montgomery-Johnson Quintet. Andrews’ brother Sonny Johnson, was the band’s drummer. Andrews’ talent as a vocalist impressed many musicians, including Duke Ellington, he invited her to tour with his orchestra during the early 1950s. Vocalist and organist Sarah McLawler was among the first wave of jazz musicians to record on the Hammond B3 organ. She attended Crispus Attucks High School and studied music at Indy's Jordan Conservatory. McLawler rose to national prominence in the early '50s with The Syncoettes, a pioneering quartet of women musicians. Pianist and vocalist Flo Garvin was a popular attraction on Indiana Avenue during the 1940s and ’50s. Garvin was among the first Black entertainers to host their own television program in Indianapolis. Today, Garvin is best remembered for her 1952 single on King Records, recorded with the Jimmy Coe Orchestra.  Aletra, Dawn, Virtue, and Carmalita Hampton began performing in Indianapolis as the Hampton Sisters during the early 1940s. They were members of the famous Hampton Family band, which also included their brother Slide Hampton, a world renown trombonist. Sisters Aletra and Virtue led the group into the early 21st Century.

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue, explore the music of Bobby Lewis, Indianapolis’ biggest rock and roll star. His 1961 single “Tossin’ and Turnin’” topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 7 straight weeks.  Bobby Lewis was 36 years old when “Tossin’ and Turnin’” hit the charts. Success had not come easy for the singer. Lewis was born in Indianapolis in 1925 and spent his early years in an orphanage. At age 12 Lewis was adopted and moved to Detroit with his foster parents. But by age 18, he was back in Indianapolis.  Lewis became a star on Indiana Avenue during the early 1950s, appearing at venues including George’s Bar and the Walker Casino. In 1952, Lewis was nominated as “best male singer” in the Indianapolis Recorder’s entertainment poll. That was also the year he issued his debut single for Chicago’s Chess Records.

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue, explore the music of the pianist and bandleader Millard Lee, an unsung Indianapolis music legend.  Lee was born in Franklin, Indiana in 1909. He began working on Indiana Avenue during the early 1940s, performing at clubs including Sunset Terrace, Cotton Club, and 440 Club.  Lee is best known for his collaboration with the blues star B.B. King. Lee worked as a keyboardist and bandleader for King from the mid-1950s, until his death in 1961.

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue we’ll explore the music of the late Indianapolis saxophonist, band leader, and music educator Larry Leggett, known professionally as Larry Liggett. We’ll share an hour of rare recordings from Liggett, including his work for the legendary Chicago label Chess Records.  Larry Liggett was born in Brazil, Indiana in 1921. He began playing music at an early age. At 10-years-old, he became the youngest member of the Brazil High School Marching Band. He continued to distinguish himself in college, becoming the first Black musician in the symphonic band and orchestra, at Indiana State University.  Liggett moved to Indianapolis during the 1940s and began teaching at Crispus Attucks High School in 1948. He continued working in the Indianapolis Public School system for the next 40 years. During that time, Liggett was performing jazz music at nightclubs across Indianapolis. Liggett also enjoyed success as a recording artist. During the 1950s, his recordings for Chess received national airplay.  In 2004 his contributions to Indiana music were acknowledged by the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation, who inducted Liggett into the Indianapolis Jazz Hall of Fame.

On February 27th at 8 p.m., Wes Bound: The Genius of Wes Montgomery debuts on WFYI Public Television. Wes Bound is the first full-length documentary on the life of Wes Montgomery, who was born in Indianapolis on March 6, 1923, and rose from humble beginnings to become one of the greatest jazz guitarists of all time. This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue, celebrate Wes Bound: The Genius of Wes Montgomery by listening to classic recordings of Wes Montgomery’s performances in Indianapolis. We’ll also talk with Indianapolis musicians who performed with Wes, including Phil Ranelin, Everett Greene, Wanda Stafford, Jimmy Gilford and Johnny Shacklett.

On this week’s show, we’ll explore the music of Thurston Harris, Indianapolis’ first rock and roll star. He’s best known for his recording of “Little Bitty Pretty One,” a Top 10 hit in 1957.  Thurston Harris was born in Indianapolis in July of 1931. He grew up in the Avenue neighborhood, and began singing gospel music in local churches, at age 9. In 1949, the R&B star Jimmy Liggins heard Harris performing in a nightclub, and invited Harris to Los Angeles. While in Los Angeles, Harris joined the Lamplighters, an exciting R&B act that scored over a dozen hits from 1953 to 1956.  In 1957, Harris had the chance to cut his first solo recordings. His debut single, “Little Bitty Pretty One” became the biggest record of his career. The song was issued by Aladdin Records. Harris cut over 20 songs for the label during the late 1950s.

On February 12th, PBS will broadcast the first episode of Gospel, a new documentary series from Henry Louis Gates Jr. This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue, we’ll celebrate the release of Gospel by sharing classic Naptown gospel music, featuring rare recordings from the quartets, choirs, and songwriters that made history in the Circle City. Tune in for music from Al Hobbs and The Music Masters, Beatrice Brown, The Stovall Sisters, The Sacred Four, The Indianapolis Mass Choir, Wandering Travelers of Indianapolis, King James Version, Kenneth Woods Jr., and The Traveling Inner Lights. Plus, hear interviews with Indianapolis gospel artists M.L. Allen, Reggie Gammon, Reverend Dennis Freeman, Henry Hinch, Everett Greene, and more.

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue, explore the Ink Spots’ influence on rock and roll. The only Indianapolis act to be inducted into the Rock and Hall of Fame, the Ink Spots remain one of the most influential acts to emerge from the Avenue. Their songs were recorded by Elvis, Bob Dylan and The Beatles. The Ink Spots were formed in Indianapolis, during the early 1930s by Hoppy Jones, Charlie Fuqua, Deek Watson and Jerry Danies. In 1936, Daniels was replaced by the Baltimore vocalist Bill Kenny, who took on lead vocal duties. They developed a trademark sound that showcased Bill Kenny’s high soaring tenor, Hoppy Jones’ spoken word bass vocals, and Charlie Fuqua’s distinctive guitar phrases.

The legendary jazz pianist and vocalist Les McCann passed away in December of 2023. This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue, we’ll celebrate, the life and music of Les McCann, by listening to his work with the Indianapolis bass player Leroy Vinnegar. McCann featured Vinnegar on over a dozen albums, including the biggest record of his career "Compared to What."

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue, we’ll continue our look back at some of our favorite music and interviews of 2023. Indianapolis music legends Rodney Stepp and Allen “Turk” Burke will discuss their work with The Spinners, and R&B vocalist Debbie Nelson will share her memories of growing up on the Avenue.

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.

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.”

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue we’ll celebrate Christmas at the Pink Poodle, a legendary Avenue nightclub. The Pink Poodle 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. Join us for classic holiday music from artists who performed at the Pink Poodle.

This week on Echoes of Avenue learn about the history of Indianapolis Recorder’s midnight Christmas benefit concerts at the Walker Theatre.  The concerts featured up to 60 acts and ran from midnight until 6 in the morning. Some of the greatest jazz, funk, and R&B musicians in Naptown performed at the midnight Christmas shows — including Wes Montgomery, Thurston Harris and Slide Hampton. But the entertainment wasn’t limited to music alone — there were drag queens, burlesque dancers, fire-eaters, snake handlers, body builders and comedians. The concerts developed from the Indianapolis Recorder Cheer Fund. Established in 1929, the Cheer Fund was an annual holiday fundraiser that supported families in financial need. During the 1930s the Cheer Fund evolved into a benefit concert. These concerts attracted star performers, including the legendary tap dancer Bill “Bojangles” Robinson who performed at the Recorder’s 1938 benefit show. The Recorder's midnight Christmas benefit concerts thrived until the 1980s. Listen to interviews with Indianapolis musicians and media personalities who performed at the Christmas benefit shows, including Henry Hinch, Josephine Cheatham, Rodney Stepp, Reggie Gammon, Debbie Nelson, Tyrone Caldwell, Richard Hamilton, Eunice Trotter, Geno Shelton and the late Joe Trotter.

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue we’ll pay 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. Tune in for music featuring the performers Dickerson worked with.

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue we’ll feature an hour of words and music with vocalist George Chandler. He started his music career at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in the Indianapolis neighborhood of Haughville. In the mid-1960s Chandler was drafted into the military. He was stationed in Italy and formed the Four Kents – a soul music act that recorded in both English and Italian. During the 1970s Chandler relocated to England, where he recorded with music icons including Paul McCartney, Tina Turner, and Elton John. In the 1980s Chandler co-founded Londonbeat and co-wrote the group’s massive 1990 hit "I've Been Thinking About You.” Chandler will share his memories of performing in Haughville, and his rise to fame in Europe.