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 focus on Swain’s work with the legendary jazz trumpeter and bandleader Cootie Williams. Swain was a member of Williams’ orchestra from 1947 to 1949.

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 “Champion” Jack Dupree and Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson.

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 the Indianapolis Gospel Music Awards.

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 Hubbard, J.J. Johnson and more.

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 Rodney Stepp, Lonnie Williams and Greg Russell. Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds will also share his memories--his band Manchild was one of Rapture’s biggest rivals.

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 band Rapture, which was a dominating force in the 1970s Indianapolis club scene.

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 with Little Bill Gaither.

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 cut over 25 songs together for Decca Records during the summer of 1936.

For the next three weeks on Echoes of Indiana Avenue, learn about the music of Gilbert “Honey” Hill, an Indianapolis blues pianist. On this week’s episode, listen to Hill’s early recordings with Little Bill Gaither.

Celebrate the life of the Indianapolis teacher and vocalist Lexie Webster, who passed away on June 24, 2025, at the age of 96. She was also the widow of the acclaimed Indianapolis jazz saxophonist Russell Webster. Hear excerpts from Kyle Long’s 2023 interview with Lexie and her daughter, Bonita Webster-Coleman, along with classic recordings from Russell Webster.