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Naptown Legends: Sarah McLawler
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Naptown Legends: Sarah McLawler
August 5, 2022

Celebrate the August birthday of the legendary Naptown musician Sarah McLawler. During her extraordinary career, McLawler had success as a vocalist, and jazz organist.

Naptown Legends: Jimmy Wormick
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Naptown Legends: Jimmy Wormick
July 28, 2022

This week we’ll pay tribute to Jimmy Wormick, a legendary Naptown jazz trombonist.

Naptown Legends: Clifford Ratliff
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Naptown Legends: Clifford Ratliff
July 21, 2022

Enjoy an hour of words and music from the great Naptown jazz trumpeter Clifford Ratliff.

Remembering Steve Odle
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Remembering Steve Odle
July 15, 2022

Celebrate the life and music of Steve Odle, lead vocalist for the Indianapolis soul music group Words of Wisdom. Odle passed away last month at the age of 70.

The Avenue After Hours
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The Avenue After Hours
July 8, 2022

During the mid-20th Century, the fun on Indiana Avenue didn’t stop at closing time.

Avenue Connections: Brother Jack McDuff
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Avenue Connections: Brother Jack McDuff
July 1, 2022

Brother Jack McDuff is one of the most celebrated jazz organists in music history, but few music fans are aware of his deep connection to Naptown. This week we’ll explore McDuff’s work on the Avenue.

Female Impersonators on the Avenue
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Female Impersonators on the Avenue
June 24, 2022

Nearly every club on the Avenue featured drag queens and trans performers - billed as female impersonators - and nearly every musician on the Avenue worked alongside these entertainers.

The Indiana Juneteenth Freedom Music Festival
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The Indiana Juneteenth Freedom Music Festival
June 16, 2022

This week we preview the Indiana Juneteenth Freedom Music Festival.

Avenue Rap Samples Pt. 3
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Avenue Rap Samples Pt. 3
June 9, 2022

This week, we’ll continue our ongoing look at the use of Avenue music samples in hip-hop. Hear how contemporary stars like Doja Cat have used Avenue music in their work.

The Indianapolis Recorder’s Dream Band Contest
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The Indianapolis Recorder’s Dream Band Contest
June 3, 2022

This week we’ll look back at the Indianapolis Recorder’s “Dream Band” contest, which invited readers to vote for their favorite Naptown musicians, to be included in the newspaper’s “Dream Band."

Indiana Avenue’s Torch Singers
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Indiana Avenue’s Torch Singers
May 27, 2022

This week we explore torch songs – songs lamenting unrequited or lost loves. Featuring an hour of music from Aretta Bush, Helen “Fox”Walker, Everett Greene, Flo Garvin, The Ink Spots and more.

Dewayne Garvin: The Legend of the Funky Buzzard
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Dewayne Garvin: The Legend of the Funky Buzzard
May 15, 2022

A tribute to the late Naptown drummer Dewayne Garvin, better known as the “Funky Buzzard."

Back to: Echoes of Indiana Avenue