Legendary Jazz Women of Indiana Avenue

March 17, 2024

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.