Echoes of Indiana Avenue

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Carl Perkins - The Naptown pianist who became a favorite of Miles Davis

5/17/2026 • 17 min

This is our third and final installment of our centennial celebration of Miles Davis. May 26 marks the 100th anniversary of his birth. Join Rodney Stepp as we spotlight the music of Carl Perkins, one of the most important jazz pianists to emerge from Indiana Avenue, and one of Miles Davis' favorite pianists. Play episode

Wes Montgomery and Freddie Hubbard play the music of Miles Davis
Miles Davis at 100 – Exploring his recordings with Naptown’s J.J. Johnson
Ebony Rhythm Funk Campaign’s Lost Sessions
A history of the Indianapolis soul group Words of Wisdom
Celebrating the music of drummer Jozell Carter – Part 2
Celebrating the music of drummer Jozell Carter – Part 1
Remembering John Terrell, founder of KnapTown Records
Legendary Blues women of Naptown
The girl groups of Naptown
Exploring John Coltrane’s connections to Indiana Avenue
Remembering Indianapolis gospel artist M.L. Allen Jr. of The Wandering Tra…
The original talking bass - Orville “Hoppy” Jones and the Ink Spots
Bandleader, teacher, and saxophonist Larry Liggett
The Naptown R&B pioneer Enoch “Sonny Boy” Wiliams
Indiana Avenue’s Black Christmas Party
Celebrating Christmas at Sea Ferguson’s Cotton Club
Celebrating the musical collaboration of Wes Montgomery and Jimmy Smith
ARCHIVES: Rap Songs that Sampled the Avenue
Thanksgiving night dances on the Avenue
The early rock and roll heroes of Naptown
ARCHIVES: The Avenue as a Birthplace for Rock and Roll
B.B. King’s connection to Indiana Avenue
Remembering Jack DeJohnette through his work with Freddie Hubbard
The sorrowful blues of Naptown's Brooks Berry
James Moody and the jazz masters of Indiana Avenue
Naptown musicians on King Records
The Bebop Society of Indianapolis
Celebrating the music of Naptown bassist Heavy Swain – Part 3
Celebrating the music of Naptown bassist Heavy Swain – Part 2
Celebrating the music of Naptown bassist Heavy Swain – Part 1
The legendary Naptown gospel keyboardist Ezra Bufford
Oscar Peterson and the masters of Indiana Avenue jazz
The history of Rodney Stepp’s legendary Naptown funk band Rapture – Part 2
The history of Rodney Stepp’s legendary Naptown funk band Rapture – Part 1
The music of Naptown blues pianist Honey Hill – Part 3
The music of Naptown blues pianist Honey Hill – Part 2
The music of Naptown blues pianist Honey Hill
Remembering the vocalist and teacher Lexie Webster
The music of Indiana jazz trumpeter Reunald Jones – Part 3
The music of Indiana jazz trumpeter Reunald Jones – Part 2
The music of Indiana jazz trumpeter Reunald Jones – Part 1
The musical legacy of the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA
Exploring the history of female impersonators on the Avenue
Remembering Naptown funk musician DeMorris “DeGe” Smith
Phil Ranelin – Part 3: Remembering his work and friendship with Freddie Hu…
Phil Ranelin – Part 2: Reflecting on his work with Wes Montgomery
Phil Ranelin – Part 1: New releases and return to Indianapolis
The early years of Ebony Rhythm Funk Campaign’s Lester Johnson
Naptown pianists Herve Duerson and Turner Parrish

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