Indiana jazz thread

[ghost of miles]

Hey all,

Inspired by some conversation between BruceH & me in the Cole Porter thread (Cole was a Hoosier, from Brazil, IN) and my latest radio project, I thought I'd start a thread on jazz musicians from Indiana. I'm about to commence work on a five-part series that will air on Indiana public radio stations in October 2005; I'll also be compiling a 2-CD set and writing liner notes for a compilation to be released simultaneously by the Indiana Historical Society, which is parterning with my home station on the series. So if you have any stories, anecdotes, interesting facts, etc., please feel free to post them here. BruceH mentioned how many great jazz musicians came from Indianapolis; here's a list off the top of my head, and feel free to tell me if I've left somebody out!

J.J. Johnson

Freddie Hubbard

Wes Montgomery

Buddy Montgomery

Monk Montgomery

David Baker

Slide Hampton

The Hampton Sisters

Leroy Vinnegar

James Spaudling

Larry Ridley

Carl Perkins

Mel Rhyne

David Young

Paul Weeden

Jimmy Coe

Killer Ray Appleton

Edited February 27, 2004 by ghost of miles

[ghost of miles]

I'm actually going to get to see Baker & Young play this Saturday in Bloomington. David wants to recreate the sound of the band he had at the Topper, a bar in late-50's Indpls; it was this band that was absorbed into the George Russell Sextet:

IU's David Baker and fellow jazz masters to revisit Indianapolis jazz scene of the 1930s and '40s

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- During the 1930s and '40s, when swing was king and bebop was beginning to blast off, the Indianapolis jazz scene was one of the hottest in the country, and at the heart of that scene was the Circle City's own Indiana Avenue.

"(Indiana Avenue) was very much like a section of Harlem, with two or three major ballrooms and clubs dotted all the way from Ohio Street and Indiana Avenue to Lockefield Gardens. It was the center of black culture, a place where music played six nights a week, all night long," recalled David Baker, Indiana University Distinguished Professor of Music and one of the many jazz greats who started out there on the path to stardom.

Baker has gathered a team of musicians, including fellow Indianapolis jazz master David Young, IU jazz professor Luke Gillespie and bassist Frankie Smith, to recreate the city's legendary jazz scene in a concert on Feb. 28 at 8 p.m. at the John Waldron Arts Center Auditorium in Bloomington. Also appearing as part of the "Indiana Avenue Revisited" concert will be the Hampton Sisters, who will be accompanied by Indy saxophone titan Alonzo "Pookie" Johnson and percussionist Lawrence Clark III. The concert is part of a series of events scheduled during IU's 20th annual Arts Weeks celebration.

"David Young and I not only played together, but we played two years together at the Topper (a jazz hotspot on 34th Street in Indianapolis). This will give us a chance to recreate the tunes we played back then," Baker said. He added that he welcomes the opportunity to perform at the Waldron auditorium, which will offer an intimate, almost club-like setting.

A one-mile stretch of road, just northwest of Indianapolis' Monument Circle, Indiana Avenue once was filled with jazz clubs, restaurants, cafes and theaters. The neighborhood served as a training ground for a who's who of the century's greatest jazz musicians, including J.J. Johnson, the Montgomery brothers (Wes, Buddy and Monk), Slide Hampton, Leroy Vinnegar, Freddie Hubbard, Larry Ridley, Jimmy Spaulding, Virgil Jones, Jimmy Coe, Carl Perkins, Melvin Rhyne, David Young and Baker himself.

Indiana Avenue also hosted some of the biggest acts of the day. B.B. King, Count Basie's Orchestra, Louis Armstrong, Lionel Hampton, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker and Miles Davis all made stops at "The Avenue" to headline venues like the Cotton Club, Sunset Terrace and the Walker Theatre. The latter was built by Madame C.J. Walker, an entrepreneur, philanthropist and social activist who became the nation's first self-made black millionairess. The Walker Theatre opened in 1927 at 617 Indiana Ave. and soon became the center of the jazz scene. A $2.3 million renovation of the theatre was completed in 1987, and today it is listed as a National Historic Landmark.

Indianapolis was still a segregated city during the heyday of the city's jazz boom, and several musicians, including Baker and his mentor J.J. Johnson, were products of the all-black Crispus Attucks High School. Yet Baker said that the clubs on Indiana Avenue refused to reciprocate in the racial discrimination. "There were black and tan clubs where whites were welcome and any musician could come to cut his teeth," Baker said. "I can't remember any one club being all black. Everyone was welcome."

Indiana Avenue continued to thrive until the end of the 1950s, Baker said. However, the next decade ushered in the era of urban renewal and desegregation. The avenue underwent a gradual change, Baker said, but by the late 1960s it had ceased to be the jazz mecca it had previously been. Most of the musicians who had honed their skills there had moved on to make their marks in cities like New York, Chicago and New Orleans. By the late 1950s, Baker and David Young had left Indianapolis to become founding members of the George Russell Sextet. By the end of the 1960s, Baker had learned a new instrument (the cello), established a jazz studies department at IU Bloomington and set forth in his current role as a cultural leader and advocate for jazz education.

Still, Baker said, there was a time when Indiana Avenue was "the place to be." Most nights he could be heard playing with his group at the Topper on 34th Street. The Dave Baker Quartet featured Baker on trombone, Young on tenor saxophone, Harold Gooch on bass and "Killer" Ray Appleton on drums. The musicians would play until 1 a.m., then hop over to one of the after-hours clubs, such as the Missile Room, and sit in with groups led by the late guitarist Wes Montgomery or trombonist J.J. Johnson, who passed away in 2001. In the 1940s and '50s, it also was fashionable to go listen to the soulful sounds of the Hampton family, which included sisters Aletra and Virtue, who are still going strong in their sixth decade of performing swing, and rhythm and blues.

When the Hampton Sisters and Baker's group get together in Bloomington on Feb. 28, they will represent a generation whose legacy will be felt for years to come. Baker is excited about introducing a new generation of jazz lovers to the sounds made famous on Indiana Avenue. "We're going to try to recreate what it was like at the Topper," he said.

Ticket prices are $12 for the general public, $10 for students and senior citizens, and $6 for children 12 and under. For more information about Arts Weeks events, visit http://www.indiana.edu/~artsweek/.

[rachel]

Ghost~

I saw an excellent Research Presentation at IAJE entitled "The Role of Crispus Attucks High School in the Musical Development of African American Jazz Musicians in Indianapolis in the 1930s and 1940s" presented by Dr. Lissa Fleming May from IU. She did extensive interviewing w/the survivors from that era. I think she would be an excellent source for you. You might already know about her presentation, etc, but I thought I'd offer it up anyway.

If you've heard about this presentation, do you have any information as to whether it might be published?

Thanks for the heads up regarding the Indiana Revisited concert. I might try to catch it. Love those Hampton Sisters!

Edited February 28, 2004 by rachel

[sheldonm]

Rachel,

I friend of mine was at IAJE and told me about it. I would like to see it get published, as it sounds very interesting. You're right about those Hampton Sisters. I got a chance to photograph them at their tribute show at the Indiana Historical Society. Ghost was at this show also, were you there?

Mark

[sheldonm]

Virgil Jones, Billy Wooten (played Vibes with Grant Green), Phil Rainlin, Benny Barth (Played drums with Buddy and Monk Montgomery in the Mastersounds), Pookie Johnson. I'm sure there are others, give me a while to think.

I was speaking to Freddie Hubbard this past September when Slide Hampton came up to us and told me that Freddie used to call him early in the morning to come over and practice because it was the only thing they could do to take their mind off the fact they didn't have anything to eat (This was when they were teenagers). I photographed a show the night after the Indy Jazz Fest, Freddie was in town to perform with musicians, almost all of whom were from Indy. Indianapolis does have a great jazz legacy! I look forward to your cd Ghost, if you need or want any photographs, e-mail me! Have fun at the show, it sounds like much fun! I'll be around Bloomington tomorrow night but won't be able to break free for the show .

Mark

[ghost of miles]

Ghost~

I saw an excellent Research Presentation at IAJE entitled "The Role of Crispus Attucks High School in the Musical Development of African American Jazz Musicians in Indianapolis in the 1930s and 1940s" presented by Dr. Lissa Fleming May from IU. She did extensive interviewing w/the survivors from that era. I think she would be an excellent source for you. You might already know about her presentation, etc, but I thought I'd offer it up anyway.

If you've heard about this presentation, do you have any information as to whether it might be published?

Thanks for the heads up regardning the Indiana Revisited concert. I might try to catch it. Love those Hampton Sisters!

Rachel, no, I didn't know about it! There have been several lengthy dissertations written about Indiana Avenue as well, and you can bet I'll be looking into those (I'm devoting one entire episode to Indiana Avenue, and several people from it will factor in another episode). Thanks for the tip--I'll get in touch with Dr. May. Crispus Attucks played a HUGE part in the Indianapolis scene, to be sure. Long ago, on the BNBB I think, I started a thread about the unsung heroes of jazz history--the high school music teachers, particularly in segregated African-American schools, who were early tutors of so many jazz greats. Attucks had several such teachers, and they factor in the jazz histories of Los Angeles (CENTRAL AVENUE SOUNDS) and Detroit (BEFORE MOTOWN) as well.

Sorry you won't be able to make the show, Mark! That one at the IHS in November was a smoker, wasn't it?

[rachel]

Sheldonm~ No I missed their tribute show! (and I'm sorry I did) I just love them; I'm trying to re-arrange stuff tomorrow to try to catch this one in B'ton as I'm also a huge David Baker fan. BTW, I visited the Indy Jazz Fest webpage-- great photos!

Ghost~ Dr. May's presentation touched on what an influence the Attucks' band teacher had on these young musicians and how nurtured they felt there -- The taped interviews were great. I think you'll enjoy speaking w/her about this subject. Please let us know when your project is finished.

How's the mini training coming?

[ghost of miles]

Sheldonm~ No I missed their tribute show! (and I'm sorry I did) I just love them; I'm trying to re-arrange stuff tomorrow to try to catch this one in B'ton as I'm also a huge David Baker fan. BTW, I visited the Indy Jazz Fest webpage-- great photos!

Ghost~ Dr. May's presentation touched on what an influence the Attucks' band teacher had on these young musicians and how nurtured they felt there -- The taped interviews were great. I think you'll enjoy speaking w/her about this subject. Please let us know when your project is finished.

How's the mini training coming?

Uh--we were too late! All 30,000 spots have been reserved.

I am now mini-training for 2005, and that's coming along fine. Up to 3 miles a day, 4-5 days a week--should be well on pace for May of next year!

[montg]

Wilbur and Sidney De Paris were born in Crawfordsville. Good ole Crawfordsville--always stop at the McDonalds there before I head into Indy.

[ghost of miles]

Yep--they will definitely get mentioned, as will Eddie Condon, who was also born here. Also Jack Purvis, the Condoli Brothers, Claude Thornhill, and, of course, Hoagy Carmichael.

[sheldonm]

Rachel,

Thanks for the kind word on my photographs on the Indy Jazz Fest site .

Mark

[jazzmessenger]

I was at the Jazz Kitchen tonight and heard Jimmy Coe passed away yesterday. Another great Indy jazz artist has left us.

Rest in peace, Jimmy Coe.

[sheldonm]

Jazzmessanger,

That is very sad news! I just spoke to Jimmy a couple of weeks ago, he has been in poor health for some time. The last few times I saw him perform, he was in a wheel chair. Jimmy was a very good player, he will be missed.

Mark

[ghost of miles]

I was at the Jazz Kitchen tonight and heard Jimmy Coe passed away yesterday. Another great Indy jazz artist has left us.

Rest in peace, Jimmy Coe.

Oh my God... I had not heard that. I'm sure it will be announced at the concert tonight. I just saw him play not all that long ago. He played with Charlie Parker in Jay McShann's band (told me a story last summer about doing nutmeg with Bird when Bird wasn't able to score!). That's so sad. Damn.

[ghost of miles]

Obit from the Indpls. Star:

Jimmy Coe, well-known jazz musician and band leader, dies

Saxophonist emerged in city's fertile jazz scene during the 1940s and '50s and chose to remain here.

 

By Jay Harvey

jay.harvey@indystar.com

February 28, 2004

Jimmy Coe, an Indianapolis bandleader and jazz saxophonist, died Thursday at Methodist Hospital after a long illness.

Coe, who would have turned 83 on March 20, was one of the most durable symbols of the Indiana Avenue jazz scene of the 1940s and '50s.

Out of that musical crucible -- comprising a dozen or so small clubs in the heart of the city's black community -- came Wes Montgomery, Freddie Hubbard, J.J. Johnson, Melvin Rhyne and other national figures. Coe was among several notable jazz musicians who opted to stay here.

He was born in Tompkinsville, Ky., and moved to Indianapolis with his family when he was 3. He came through Indianapolis' segregated public schools, graduating from Attucks High School when it was renowned for its music program.

His widow, Delores Coe, recalled his ability to play any instrument, but he specialized in alto and tenor saxophones. As an altoist, he replaced Charlie "Bird" Parker in Jay McShann's band in 1942. Upon returning to his adopted hometown after Army service in World War II, Coe led small and big bands here. He recorded rhythm and blues successfully for small labels in the 1950s. In his later years, Coe was known as an adept arranger for the big band he led under his own name.

The Coes were special guests of a jazz festival in Switzerland in 2002, when Coe gave three performances. In January, the International Association for Jazz Education presented a tribute to Coe at its annual convention in New York City.

"He spent his life making people happy with his music," said Delores, his wife of 46 years. "He was something else."

To support himself and his family, Coe held jobs with the city of Indianapolis, the Marion County juvenile court and the U.S. Postal Service. After retiring in the 1980s, he devoted himself to music. Two of his children followed him into music: Earl, a drummer, and Jimmy Jr., a trumpeter.

Coe rebounded from a mild stroke in the early 1990s but was plagued in recent years by colon cancer and diabetes. Despite health problems, he could be seen occasionally playing from his wheelchair at special events, including the Independent Jazz Community Celebration in September at the Fountain Square Theatre, featuring Hubbard and others, and the Hampton Sisters Tribute by the Indiana Historical Society in November.

[BruceH]

Clearly, SOMEbody should write a book about Indiana jazz. ...Ah, ghost???

[sheldonm]

There have been many books written about Indiana musicians and Indiana Jazz in general, but I'd always like to see more.

Mark

[sheldonm]

David,

How was the show last night??? Did you get a chance to talk to the participants?

Mark

[ghost of miles]

David,

How was the show last night??? Did you get a chance to talk to the participants?

Mark

Mark--I'd say the Hampton Sisters and the David Baker Quintet came close to burning down the Waldron last night. Aletra Hampton in particular was on fire--more energized than at the IHS tribute last November. (She's 88--man! Virtue is 82.) And the David Baker Quintet was amazing. I heard Lida Baker say to somebody that it had been a long, long time since Baker & Young had played together, and I think that's the happiest I've seen David Baker onstage in awhile. Young did a tour de force solo on "In a Sentimental Mood" that brought him a near-standing, extended ovation. Deno Sanders on drums played with his usual edgy power, and Luke Gillespie continues to be my favorite Indiana-based pianist. A great, great night, one of the best jazz nights out I've had in a long time. The Waldron sold out and a number of people were turned away at the door. I think it was the Topper in 1960 for David B. all over again!

David delivered a pre-concert lecture on Indiana Avenue that was interesting and informative, and I talked to him afterwards. I asked him to sign my copy of STRATUSPHUNK, and he said, "Damn, man, where did you find that?" (I think he thinks it's OOP.) He signed it and said, "Show that to David (Young), man, he'll flip out!" I didn't get to see David Young till after the Hampton Sisters set, though. He was really nice, signed it for me, and initially was hesitant about doing an interview for the series sometime--"I never know what to say, man," he said. "Pookie (who was standing next to him) can tell you, just the other night I turned around and some guy was shoving this microphone into my face saying 'What do you think about this?' and 'What's up with that?'" But then he said, "Just look me up in the book, we can do it." I really want to bring his name forth more in the Indiana series.

BruceH--I've toyed with the idea. Duncan Scheidt has written an excellent book called THE JAZZ STATE OF INDIANA; its focus is more on early jazz. David Baker has long been at work on a book about Indiana Avenue, and there's another buff/enthusiast/amateur scholar who's supposedly writing one as well. (There have also been several dissertations done throughout the years.) I think at this point I consider myself extremely fortunate to have the series to work on--but I would like to write some articles about Indiana jazz for Traces, the Indiana Historical Society's magazine, and that may come about soon.

[sheldonm]

David,

Thanks for the recap, sounds like you saw a great show! David Young is such a nice guy, very quiet (almost shy) and very underrated in my opinion. That's cool you spoke to him after the show. I saw him during a holiday show at the IHS and was talking to Marvin Chandler and Jack Gilfoy turned around and David was sitting there all by himself. I sat down next to him and starting chatting with him. I gave him one of my photographs and he was very appreciative and humble. I love "Stratusphunk", I picked it up on a trip to Chicago a couple of years ago, what a smokin' recording. I'd like to hear more about it sometime. There is a tribute show for Jimmie Coe this coming Friday night at the Walker Theater. His showing/burial is this Tue/Wed in Indy. I'll probably go to the Walker, let me know if you can make it.

Mark

[rachel]

Sigh..... Thanks for the great review. I certainly missed out (Pacer tix but big deal, no AI or Big Dog last night...) What a great show that must have been. I absolutely love Virtue and her big bad bass playing. And Aletra just rocks. I would have loved to see David Baker *in his element*, so to speak. He is such an engaging, full of life, full of music guy who seems bigger than life to me but, I think Sheldonm is right, is probably very shy. I stalked him a bit at IAJE but was too *shy* myself to start a conversation. I won't make that mistake again.

What makes me more thoughtful about missing this show is the sad news about the recent passing of Jimmy Coe. It's just a fact of life that a lot of these greats don't have many years left w/ us, and we need to experience them as much as we can whenever we can...

Edited February 29, 2004 by rachel

[sheldonm]

I have a photograph that I made of Jimmy playing at the J.J.Johnson tribute a few years ago not long after JJ died. I posted it on the www.jazzhouse.org site in the gallery section. Take a look if you have time.

Mark

[jazzmessenger]

Ghost,

It sounded like a great show. I have seen David Baker play the cello a few times, but never seen him play the trombone. I assume that's what he played last night.

David Young is really great. He should come out more and play his horn!

[rachel]

Anybody else going to the Madame Walker Theater for Jimmy Coe's tribute?

[jazzmessenger]

I just walked back from the Jimmy Coe tribute concert. I really loved the big band led by Earl Coe. They should have played more.