Echoes of Indiana Avenue

About Echoes of Indiana Avenue

Produced by Kyle Long and narrated by musician Rodney Stepp, listen each week as WFYI celebrates the legacy and achievements of Black artists and musicians from Central Indiana.

Publisher

WFYI Public Media

Category

music

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

12 Jan 2021

Latest episode

20 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

294 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   20 Sept 2026

   Winston Walls - The Hammond B-3 legend live

   Explore the life and music of Winston Walls, one of the most remarkable Hammond B-3 organists to emerge from the golden age of soul jazz. He appeared often in the Avenue neighborhood — playing gigs at The Queen of Clubs, The West End, and Walker Theatre. We'll share never-before-heard performances by Walls, recorded live in Indianapolis.

2. 

   13 Sept 2026

   Les “Bear” Taylor, Naptown’s renowned baritone sax player

   Join host Rodney Stepp for music from Les "Bear" Taylor, featuring his work with Ella Fitzgerald, Bill Doggett, Floyd Smith, Mel Rhyne, Larry Clark, Bill Myers, and more. Taylor was a towering presence on the Indiana Avenue music scene — a big man with a big sound, and one of the most respected baritone sax players to come out of Naptown.

3. 

   6 Sept 2026

   Edgar Bateman - From Naptown to the jazz avant-garde

   Before he became a celebrated figure in Philadelphia’s jazz scene, drummer Edgar Bateman spent part of the 1950s playing alongside legendary musicians in Naptown, including Jimmy Coe, Mel Rhyne and Pookie Johnson. Join host Rodney Stepp for music featuring Edgar Bateman — from his Indianapolis years to his collaborations with some of modern jazz’s most influential musicians.

Who has been a guest on Echoes of Indiana Avenue

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Reunald Jones
• Count Basie
• Mezz Mezzrow
• Jimmie Lunceford
• DeMorris “DeGe” Smith

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

4,353,311

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.8 / 5

12 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

7 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 82 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

94

Social presence

0

YouTube

93

Engagement

82

Contact Echoes of Indiana Avenue

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.