Juneteenth blues celebration

June 09, 2024

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue, listen to a preview of the “Juneteenth Black Heritage Concert: Gospel and Blues – The Roots of it All”. It’s happening on June 16th at Indiana Landmarks.

Hear interviews with two of the concert’s performers, Lester Johnson and Debbie Nelson — both have deep connections to the blues and the Indiana Avenue music scene.

Bassist Lester Johnson is best known for his work with Ebony Rhythm Funk Campaign. Johnson played some of his earliest gigs with the Indiana Avenue blues great Harvey Cook, and Johnson’s uncle was the Indianapolis blues legend Guitar Pete Franklin.

Debbie Nelson is known for her work as a blues vocalist. She started her career singing on Indiana Avenue during the 1960s, and was offered a chance to perform in B.B. King’s band.