African Americans

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Alonzo (Pookie) Johnson

(Oct. 5, 1927-Sept. 3, 2005). Alonzo Ernest Johnson, known as “Pookie,” was born in Indianapolis. He grew up downtown, attending… Read More »Alonzo (Pookie) Johnson

James Louis (J. J.) Johnson

(Jan. 22, 1924 -Feb. 4, 2001). James Louis (J. J.) Johnson entered the world of music at nine years old.… Read More »James Louis (J. J.) Johnson

Mingo Jones

(Dec. 16, 1928-Apr. 3, 2017). Mingo Jones was born and raised in Missouri. His father and uncle played the trumpet… Read More »Mingo Jones

John Leslie (Wes) Montgomery

(Mar. 6, 1923-June 15, 1968). Born John Leslie Montgomery in Indianapolis, Montgomery took up the guitar in 1943, joining the… Read More »John Leslie (Wes) Montgomery

William Howard (Monk) Montgomery

(Oct. 10, 1921-May 20, 1982). William Howard “Monk” Montgomery was born in Indianapolis. Monk, a member of the musical Montgomery… Read More »William Howard (Monk) Montgomery

Betty Perry

(Aug 8,1948 -Feb. 11, 2022). Perry was born in Brooklyn, New York, as Betty Jo-Ann Montgomery. She was the oldest… Read More »Betty Perry

James (Yank) Rachell

(Mar. 16, 1910-Apr. 9, 1997). James (Yank) Rachell was born in Brownsville, Tennessee. He spent his youth on a farm… Read More »James (Yank) Rachell

Ragtime

This uniquely American musical genre, based upon African American rhythms and styles rendered initially by Black banjoists and pianists, flourished… Read More »Ragtime

Noble Lee Sissle

(July 10, 1889-Dec. 17, 1975). As a young boy, Noble Sissle, a native of Indianapolis, worked as an office boy… Read More »Noble Lee Sissle

Soul People Repertory Company 

, a trained theater actress, established Soul People Repertory Company in Indianapolis in September 1975. She structured the organization “to… Read More »Soul People Repertory Company