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Midnight Christmas Shows at the Walker
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Midnight Christmas Shows at the Walker
December 17, 2023

This week on Echoes of Avenue learn about the history of Indianapolis Recorder’s midnight Christmas benefit concerts at the Walker Theatre.

The Avenue promoter Matthew Dickerson
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The Avenue promoter Matthew Dickerson
December 10, 2023

A 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.

George Chandler - from Haughville to London
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George Chandler - from Haughville to London
December 3, 2023

Vocalist George Chandler shares his memories of performing in Haughville and his rise to fame in Europe.

The Spinners' Naptown Connection - Part 2
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The Spinners' Naptown Connection - Part 2
November 26, 2023

Allen “Turk” Burke and Rodney Stepp share music from an unreleased Spinners’ album Stepp and Turk produced in Indianapolis. And Stepp will recall performing with The Spinners at Muhammad Ali’s legendary “Rumble in the Jungle” in Zaire, Africa.

The Spinners' Naptown Connection - Part 1
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The Spinners' Naptown Connection - Part 1
November 19, 2023

Rodney Stepp and Allen “Turk” Burke share their memories of performing with the Spinners and discuss the Indianapolis musicians who contributed to the group’s legacy.

The Music of Russell Webster - Part 2
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The Music of Russell Webster - Part 2
November 12, 2023

The final episode in our two-part series exploring the music of the late Russell Webster – a legendary Indianapolis saxophonist and composer. We’ll hear from musicians he influenced, including Steve Allee and Justin S. Kinchen.

The Music of Russell Webster - Part 1
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The Music of Russell Webster - Part 1
November 5, 2023

The first episode in our two-part series exploring the music of the late Russell Webster – a legendary Indianapolis saxophonist and composer. We’ll be joined by Webster’s daughter, Bonita Webster-Coleman, and his wife, Lexie Webster. Russell Webster is best known for his self-produced 1983 double LP “Uncle Funkenstein," called a “holy grail of jazz.” Webster was born in Indianapolis in 1928. He studied music at the Jordan Conservatory and began playing on the Avenue as a teenager. Over the years, Webster played with the biggest stars on the Avenue — from Wes Montgomery to Jimmy Coe.

Dawn Hampton - The
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Dawn Hampton - The "Queen of Cabaret"
October 29, 2023

Dawn Hampton was best known for her work as a jazz and cabaret singer. She was a member of Indianapolis’ legendary Hampton family and performed extensively on the Avenue during the 1940s, and ‘50s. During the 1960s, and ‘70s Dawn became a popular singer in New York City, where she was known as the “queen of cabaret.”

The complete Guitar Pete Franklin - Part 2
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The complete Guitar Pete Franklin - Part 2
October 22, 2023

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue we’ll share the final episode of our two-part series exploring the complete recordings of Guitar Pete Franklin – a legendary Naptown blues musician. On this episode, hear Franklin’s final recordings – made in Indianapolis during the early 1960s.

The complete Guitar Pete Franklin - Part 1
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The complete Guitar Pete Franklin - Part 1
October 15, 2023

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue listen to the first episode of our two-part series exploring the complete recordings of Guitar Pete Franklin – a legendary Naptown blues musician. Franklin was born in Indianapolis in 1928. His style was influenced by the early Naptown blues duo of Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell - but Franklin developed his own unique sound. On this edition, hear Franklin’s early recordings with blues greats including Sunnlyand Slim and Tampa Red.

The Blakey Specials
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The Blakey Specials
October 8, 2023

The Blakey Specials were a legendary Indianapolis gospel band founded in 1967 by the pianist, composer, and vocalist Eugene Blakey. Listen to rare recordings from the band and interviews with two original members: vocalist Henry Hinch and bassist/vocalist Hubert “Skeet” Canady.

Remembering bassist Richard Davis
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Remembering bassist Richard Davis
October 1, 2023

The life and music of the Chicago-born bass player Richard Davis who passed away last month. Davis was ranked among the top bassists in jazz history. He performed often with the genre’s top stars, including Miles Davis and Louis Armstrong. He also performed with the jazz masters of Indiana Avenue – including Freddie Hubbard, Virgil Jones, David Young, James Spaulding, Wes Montgomery, and J.J. Johnson.

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