Naptown trumpeter Michael Ridley

October 06, 2024

This week we explore the music of the Naptown trumpet player Michael Ridley. Michael played with some of the biggest stars in American music, including Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Wilson Pickett, and Otis Redding. But he’s best known for his work in jazz. Michael performed with many jazz greats, from Archie Shepp to Jimmy McGriff. 

Michael Ridley was born in Indianapolis in 1939. At that time, his family lived in Lockefield Gardens — a federal housing project located on the Avenue. Ridley attended Shortridge High School. He performed with the school band and studied music at the MacArthur Conservatory on Indiana Avenue. There was music in Ridley’s home too. His older brother, Larry Ridley, is a legendary jazz bassist known for his work with Thelonius Monk, Freddie Hubbard, Chet Baker, and others.