David Hardiman, Sr.

"Little" David was in my bible classes at Martindale Avenue Church of Christ (as the church was known in those days). At that time he lived just south of IPS 56 on Martindale Avenue with his mother & grandmother, respectively Sadie & Juanita Hardiman. He was also involved with the Vacation Bible Schools during those times. His family was always a real support and encouraged him to stay involved in music, regardless where it was held.

Years now have passed since he once blew his trumpet at the church, in schools and the All City Youth Indianapolis Orchestra. I placed a phone call to him recently as he is a faculty person in California. Dr. Willis Kirk gave me his phone number; we chatted for quite a while and plan to talk again. He is doing well and loves the California coast, quite a change from Indianapolis. His travels take him to the jazz concerts as a performer and at the National Convention of Jazz Artists. Occasionally he gets back to the Indiana Avenue (Madam Walker Center) with other musicians. Of course the business of music has expanded and David has managed to move along with other instrumentation.

Willis Kirk, the Beat Man

I remember Willis back in 1953 when I entered Jordan College of Music (Butler University) at its beginning. Our music buildings were then located at 1204 & 1116 N. Delaware Street, Indianapolis. These had been the estates of L.S. Ayres & William H. Block who were clothing store owners during the early days. My piano instructor, Lillian Brown (now Carson) took me to this college in preparation for music education. Of course I didn't even know what I wanted to do in music -- just learn and get the experience.

Willis was one of my first mentors. He was then sophomore/junior percussionist, studying on the G.I. bill (as were many in those days). My mother & father operated a small grocery store located on the corners of 25th Street and Sangster that serviced many Blacks in that area. It was from this experience they knew the Kirk family and the day Willis was born. At the university, I believe that Dr. Charles Henzie was his primary percussion teacher

The Kirk Family grew up on the East side of Indianapolis at 25th & Caroline Avenues There were many Kirks. Willis or "little Willis" as he was called at that time, studied at IPS 37; probably at IPS 26 and possibly graduated from Crispus Attucks High School.

You can imagine how I felt to see that Willis had been awarded a honorary Doctor of Arts degree from Butler University. He completed his bachelor's in 1956; masters in 1964 and moved to California working in the Oakland City area. He was president of City College from 1989 to 1991.

I know that music instructors, Dean Ehlert, Mrs. Stratton, Dr. William Pelz, Dr. Harold Johnson of the olden days would be super proud to know that one of their students had earned this distinction.

My quips only!

The Four Tops

Just guess who I met at one time in my life.."Obie" (aka: Renaldo Benson). The Four Tops Quartet use to seranade many times at 1000 Yuma Street, Manhattan, Kansas in summer of 1960.

I became acquainted with "Obie" and his wife Val while my husband was serving at the Big Red One/Fort Riley. The Four Tops all signed together with the U.S. military and went on many weekend trips while stationed at Ft. Riley.

Levi Stubbs and Abdul "Duke" Fakir sang together in a group while at Pershing High School, later joined with Renaldo Benson and Lawrence Payton (who attended Northern High School, all in Detroit, MI). They began singing at a friends birthday party in 1954 and began calling themselves the Four Aims.

In 1964, they signed with Berry Gordy's Motown records and the rest is history. I did not know that "Obie" was a co-writer of Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" that is still widely sung today....even the quoted saying of "what's goin' on". Blog for more info on these guys...they were super.

Nancy --Ahh Nancy Wilson

What about that Nancy Wilson who was born in Chillicothe, Ohio; grew up in Columbus where her Father provided early exposure to vocalists as Billy Eckstine, Louis Jordan, Ruth Brown, LaVerne Baker, Nat King Cole, Jimmy Rushing, & Little Jimmy Scott. Rushing sang with Count Basie's Orchestra and Scott with Lionel Hampton. Nancy began her career at age 15 singing in church & school choirs..

In 1959, Nancy moved to New York city desiring a contract with Capitol records as her label; within four weeks she got her big break as a fill in for Irene Reid at The Blue Morocco. She was booked singing four nights and worked as a receptionist during the day. John Levy caught her show and from there she went only upwards.

Nancy appeared in many variety shows as The Andy Williams Show, The Carol Burnett Show, The Flip Wilson Show, I Spy, Hawaii Five-O, Police Story, The Cosby Show, Soul Food, The Parker's and many more in acting roles.

R.S.V.P.(Rare Songs, Very Personal) was released on August 25, 2004 and in 2005 she received the GRAMMY Award for Best Jazz vocal Album; releasing in 1964 "How Glad I Am"

Today, she works hard to raise AIDS awareness in African-American communities in the USA, appearing occasionally on shows. Google Nancy Wilson for more!

Freddie Hubbard - High Energy

Freddie Hubbard - High Energy,
originally uploaded by dereck von.

Dear Ones, lest I forget my memories of being in the performance presence of this beautiful artist. Little would I have ever thought that Freddie would be blowing his wonderful machine in the Heavens before me.

The Hubbard family of Indianapolis, Indiana was very talented and lived in my area; I believe that one of the Hubbards attended I.P.S. 37 with me (just can't remember his name at the present).

While in Indianapolis, I was priviledged to visit the Hub-Bub (30th near Illinois Streets), 34th & Illinois Street and 40th Street Club (near 40th & Boulevard Place). Many a time we (Jerry & me) stopped in on Friday evenings to hear the combo play until the wee hours, about 2:00am. You just never know who you will meet and where life will take both of you.

I lost contact with Freddie after the 1960's, but probably sure that he returned to Indy many times for different occasions. He may have appeared at the Jazz Kitchen (54th & College Avenue), it seems to get all the musician "greats" with large crowds and great food.

My salute to a fine musician who will be missed!

Odetta

Odetta_1453,
originally uploaded by Eggward Shell.

One of the vocal jazz greats crossed over in 2008. There were a number of these persons who left us in 2008 (mostly in mid-December), Eartha Kitt, Miriam Makeba and trumpeter, Freddie Hubbard.

I would listen to her mostly on 33 1/3's as she was one among those singers in the civil rights days. Odetta may have visited Indianapolis at least one time during the 1960's; however, I was unable to see her in concert. Her photo is from the Ottawa Folk Festival on August 17, 2008.

She is one of the featured singers on a CD entitled "This Land is Your Land" along with the Weavers, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Kingston Trio, Judy Collins & Buffy Sainte-Marie. The CD can be found in the Children's Division of the Manhattan Public Library, Manhattan Kansas.