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These interviews trace the life histories of five blues musicians in Indianapolis, Indiana. The interviewees discuss their experiences, their knowledge of blues and jazz, and their musical contemporaries. In addition, several comment on the segregation and racism that characterized life in the earlier part of the twentieth century.
Deakyne, Florence R. Garvin
Edwards, Willie "Kid"
Grandy, Errol
Hall, J. Wallace
Rachell, James Yank
| Interviewee: | Deakyne, Florence R. Garvin |
| Call number: | 85-073 |
| Date(s) of Interview: | February 27, 1985 |
| Physical Description: | not transcribed; 4 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 3 hours 55 minutes |
| Physical Location: | Interviews are housed in Weatherly Hall North, Room 122. Copies are also housed at the Indiana University Archives in Herman B Wells Library E460. For other locations housing the interviews from this project, please contact the Center for the Study of History and Memory office. |
| Access Status: | Restricted (quotes may be used only with the permission of the interviewee) |
| Interviewer: | Wheeler, Will; Barrow, Garry; Harrah-Conforth, Bruce |
Florence R. Garvin Deakyne, born on January 15, 1927, describes her life history and experiences as a musician in Indianapolis, Indiana.
blues musician
| Interviewee: | Edwards, Willie "Kid" |
| Call number: | 85-075 |
| Date(s) of Interview: | June 22, 1985 |
| Physical Description: | not transcribed; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 60 minutes |
| Physical Location: | Interviews are housed in Weatherly Hall North, Room 122. Copies are also housed at the Indiana University Archives in Herman B Wells Library E460. For other locations housing the interviews from this project, please contact the Center for the Study of History and Memory office. |
| Access Status: | Restricted |
| Interviewer: | Wheeler, Will; Barrow, Garry; Harrah-Conforth, Bruce |
Willie "Kid" Edwards discusses his life as a blues musician in Indianapolis, Indiana.
blues musician
| Interviewee: | Grandy, Errol |
| Call number: | 85-071 |
| Date(s) of Interview: | February 16, 1985 |
| Physical Description: | 31 pp.; 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 69 minutes; no index |
| Physical Location: | Interviews are housed in Weatherly Hall North, Room 122. Copies are also housed at the Indiana University Archives in Herman B Wells Library E460. For other locations housing the interviews from this project, please contact the Center for the Study of History and Memory office. |
| Access Status: | Open |
| Interviewer: | Wheeler, Will; Barrow, Garry; Harrah-Conforth, Bruce |
Errol Grandy, born on February 2, 1918, discusses his career as a professional blues pianist, a talent he discovered playing music at his father's church. He speaks of several Indianapolis clubs, his memories of fellow musicians, and of the differences between jazz and blues music. In addition, Mr. Grandy comments on the violence that often invaded some Indianapolis jazz clubs.
Sunset Club
Paradise Club
Walker Casino
Hampton
Carr, Leroy
Ellington, Duke
pianist
blues music
gospel music
jazz music
night club violence
| Interviewee: | Hall, J. Wallace |
| Call number: | 85-074 |
| Date(s) of Interview: | February 27, 1985 |
| Physical Description: | 77 pp.; 3 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 139 minutes; no index |
| Physical Location: | Interviews are housed in Weatherly Hall North, Room 122. Copies are also housed at the Indiana University Archives in Herman B Wells Library E460. For other locations housing the interviews from this project, please contact the Center for the Study of History and Memory office. |
| Access Status: | Open |
| Interviewer: | Wheeler, Will; Barrow, Garry; Harrah-Conforth, Bruce |
J. Wallace Hall, born on August 2, 1890, relates some details of his life history, including stories of his youth in rural Kentucky, his experiences with the Ku Klux Klan, racism, and segregation, and his work as a saxophone player and night club owner in Indianapolis, Indiana. He speaks of his heritage; his mother, a former slave, and his father, part Native American, contributed to his wide and varied knowledge and pursuits. In addition, Mr. Hall comments on the best ways to make money, his education, farming, and home remedies.
Club Royale
Ku Klux Klan
Armstrong, Louis
Bennet, Frank
Buffalo, New York
Mount Sterling, Kentucky
saxophone player
African-Americans
Black history
discrimination
education
farming
home remedies
horse training
jazz music
marijuana
prostitution
racial violence
racism
segregation
syncopation
| Interviewee: | Rachell, James Yank |
| Call number: | 85-072 |
| Date(s) of Interview: | February 16, 1985 |
| Physical Description: | not transcribed; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 28 minutes |
| Physical Location: | Interviews are housed in Weatherly Hall North, Room 122. Copies are also housed at the Indiana University Archives in Herman B Wells Library E460. For other locations housing the interviews from this project, please contact the Center for the Study of History and Memory office. |
| Access Status: | Open |
| Interviewer: | Wheeler, Will; Barrow, Garry; Harrah-Conforth, Bruce |
James Yank Rachell discusses his life history and experiences as a blues musician.
blues musician