Echoes of Indiana Avenue Podcast
1) The Bebop Society of Indianapolis
Listen to an hour of music celebrating the legacy of The Bebop Society of Indianapolis. Hear rare recordings from Avenue musicians, including Wes Montgomery, Carl Perkins, David Baker, Pookie Johnson ...Show More
2) Celebrating the music of Naptown bassist Heavy Swain – Part 3
This is the final episode in our three-part series celebrating the work of the bass player Leonard Wilson Swain Jr., better known as “Heavy” Swain, an unsung hero of the Avenue music scene. On this ed...Show More
3) Celebrating the music of Naptown bassist Heavy Swain – Part 2
This is the second episode in our three-part series celebrating the work of the bass player Leonard Wilson Swain Jr., better known as “Heavy” Swain, an unsung hero of the Avenue music scene. We’ll foc...Show More
4) Celebrating the music of Naptown bassist Heavy Swain – Part 1
Celebrate the work of the bass player Leonard Wilson Swain Jr., better known as “Heavy” Swain, an unsung hero of the Avenue music scene. This episode is Part 1 of 3, focusing on his recordings with “C...Show More
5) The legendary Naptown gospel keyboardist Ezra Bufford
Listen to an interview with the legendary Indianapolis gospel keyboardist Ezra Bufford, known for his work with the Pentecostal Ambassadors. In 1988, Bufford was voted “Instrumentalist of the Year” by...Show More
6) Oscar Peterson and the masters of Indiana Avenue jazz
August of 2025 marks the 100th birthday of the late jazz pianist Oscar Peterson. Listen to music featuring Peterson’s work with the jazz masters of Indiana Avenue, including Slide Hampton, Freddie Hub...Show More
7) The history of Rodney Stepp’s legendary Naptown funk band Rapture – Part 2
Listen to the final episode in our two-part series exploring the music of Rapture, a legendary Indianapolis funk band led by keyboardist Rodney Stepp in the late 1970s. Hear interviews with Rapture’s ...Show More
8) The history of Rodney Stepp’s legendary Naptown funk band Rapture – Part 1
The keyboardist and bandleader Rodney Stepp is among the greatest living legends of the Avenue neighborhood. For the next two weeks, listen to an interview with Rodney as he shares the history of his ...Show More
9) The music of Naptown blues pianist Honey Hill – Part 3
Listen to the final episode in our three-part series exploring the music of Gilbert “Honey” Hill, an important Indianapolis blues pianist. This edition focuses on Hill’s final classic blues recordings...Show More
10) The music of Naptown blues pianist Honey Hill – Part 2
The second episode in our three-part series exploring the music of Gilbert “Honey” Hill, an important Indianapolis blues pianist. We’ll focus on Hill’s work with the blues star Bumble Bee Slim. They c...Show More