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Steve Allee: Naptown Sound
If you ask the average music fan to name the greatest jazz cities in America, it's unlikely that Indianapolis would top their list. That's a shame, as those familiar with the city's history know better. They see the unique fingerprints of Indianapolis musicians across the broad timeline of jazz.
In all fairness, Indianapolis, or Naptown as we locals affectionately call it, doesn't have the unrivaled depth of history you'll discover in the music's birthplace New Orleans, or the incalculably vast network of clubs, musicians and labels you'll find in a megalopolis like New York City. What Indianapolis does have is an undeniably rich jazz culture that has shaped the development of this music in profound ways. It's a culture that continues to expand and evolve, as you'll hear on this brilliant album from the Steve Allee Big Band, an album that celebrates the musicians, teachers, mentors, history, and places that make Naptown a sparkling jewel in the geography of jazz music.
The legacy of Indianapolis jazz has had a remarkable reach. During World War I, the Indianapolis vocalist and bandleader
Noble Sissle
band / ensemble / orchestra- 1975
Eubie Blake
piano1887 - 1983
J.J. Johnson
trombone1924 - 2001
Freddie Hubbard
trumpet1938 - 2008
Wes Montgomery
guitar1923 - 1968
Leroy Vinnegar
bass, acoustic1928 - 1999
Carl Perkins
piano1928 - 1958
James Spaulding
saxophone, altob.1937
Virgil Jones
trumpet1939 - 2012
Larry Ridley
bassb.1937
The aforementioned names represent a small sample of the Indianapolis jazz performers who've gained national notoriety. There's
Melvin Rhyne
organ, Hammond B31936 - 2013
David Baker
trombone1931 - 2016
Slide Hampton
trombone1932 - 2021
Monk Montgomery
bass1921 - 1982
Pharez Whitted
trumpet
Buddy Montgomery
piano1930 - 2009
Phil Ranelin
tromboneb.1939
Rob Dixon
saxophonePianist, composer, arranger and bandleader Steve Allee came of age at a time when many historic Naptown players were still active on the scene. Some befriended the young Allee, others became mentors or colleagues, all left an indelible mark on his life and music. "Naptown Sound pays tribute to the influences and character of this area of Indiana in the highest way that I can," Allee told me.
And what is the Naptown sound? Like the term Naptown itself, the sound originated along the streets of Indiana Avenue, a historic Black neighborhood located near downtown Indianapolis. In the era of segregation, Indiana Avenue was the center of Black life in Central Indiana. During the Avenue's prime years, in the mid-1900s, the area was home to dozens of nightclubs that featured performances from local legends and jazz royalty—
Duke Ellington
piano1899 - 1974
Jelly Roll Morton
piano1890 - 1941
Louis Armstrong
trumpet and vocals1901 - 1971
Lester Young
saxophone1909 - 1959
Charlie Parker
saxophone, alto1920 - 1955
Ella Fitzgerald
vocals1917 - 1996
Count Basie
piano1904 - 1984
Miles Davis
trumpet1926 - 1991
John Coltrane
saxophone1926 - 1967
The Avenue provided more than entertainment; the neighborhood also hosted a variety of institutions offering high-level music education. Notable among these was Ruth McArthur's Conservatory of Music, where young jazz players including Larry Ridley, Slide Hampton and David Hardiman refined their skills. Crispus Attucks High School must also be mentioned, the school's venerated staff of music educators molded the young minds of J.J. Johnson, David Baker and many others. There were also individual instructors, like pianist Errol Grandy, that offered private lessons. Grandy, who mentored Wes Montgomery and others, has been called the "dean of Indiana Avenue" and "the godfather of Indianapolis jazz."
Local jazz and blues players shared their neighborhood pride on nationally distributed recordings, including historically significant releases like Nina Reeves and Jesse Crump's Indiana Avenue Blues (1921). Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell's Naptown Blues (1929), Herve Duerson's Avenue Strut b/w Naptown Special (1929), Little Bill Gaither and Honey Hill's Naptown Stomp (1935), Christine Chatman's Naptown Boogie (1944), and Wes Montgomery's Naptown Blues (1965), among many other examples.
It was in this cauldron of influences that the Naptown sound was cultivated and disseminated. While tracing the history of the sound is a fairly straightforward process, defining the Naptown sound in words can be challenging. During a conversation with Allee, he described it as a "lilting straight eighth note swing style," a sound he'd heard in the music of Errol Grandy and Wes Montgomery. He also emphasized the "unbelievable harmonic richness" found in the music of J.J. Johnson and Slide Hampton.
Allee was introduced to the Naptown sound at an early age. By the time he reached high school, Allee was gaining notoriety as a musician. A 1967 article published by the Indianapolis Star speculated that Allee "may some day go down in history as one of Indiana's famous musicians." Allee was a junior at Ben Davis High School at that time. At age 19, Allee was touring nationally with the jazz star
Buddy Rich
drums1917 - 1987
During the early 1970s, Allee and Sifferlen entered a period of intense practice and performance together. They developed a compelling dual keyboard sound utilizing the Fender Rhodes and Farfisa organ. This unique sound can be heard on their 1973 album The Baron Von Ohlen Quartet, which also included John Von Ohlen on drums and Mary Ann Moss on vocals. The album was issued on Stan Kenton's Creative World label. The Baron Von Ohlen Quartet was Allee's recording debut, introducing the young pianist to the greater jazz world. The LP remains a cult classic today, selling for hundreds of dollars on the collector's market.
Two tracks on Naptown Sound reference this period of Allee's career. The first is "Twins," a track dedicated to musicians Steve and Greg Corn, two of Allee's early collaborators. The second is "Zebra II," a haunting tone poem composed by Sifferlen.
Allee continued to immerse himself in the Naptown sound throughout the following decades, performing with, and arranging for legendary Indianapolis players like Slide Hampton, Russell Webster and Pookie Johnson, all of whom trace their roots back to the Indiana Avenue scene. Their presence is felt in this music.
The spirit of Wes Montgomery also looms large over Naptown Sound.
Allee was just 17 years old when Montgomery unexpectedly passed away in 1968. Though Allee never met the famed guitarist, Montgomery's music left a lasting influence on his work. The album's opening cut features an exciting arrangement of the Montgomery composition "Full House." The original compositions "Hubbub" and "Wes at the Turf" reference Indianapolis nightclubs where Montgomery held extended residences.
"Wes at the Turf" celebrates Montgomery's time at the Turf Club, located in the Haughville neighborhood, across the river from Indiana Avenue. From 1955 to 1957, the Turf Club was a home base for the Montgomery-Johnson Quintet. The band featured Wes Montgomery on guitar, Buddy Montgomery on piano, Monk Montgomery on bass, Sonny Johnson on drums, and Pookie Johnson on sax.
"Hubbub" is an homage to the Hub-Bub Lounge. During the late 1950s and early '60s, Montgomery was a frequent headliner at the Hub-Bub. The club featured a variety of local and regional talent. Johnny Lylte, John Patton, James Blood Ulmer, Grant Green and Wilbert Longmire are just a few of the touring musicians who graced the Hub-Bub's stage
While history is at the core of Naptown Sound, the album is not an exercise in looking backward. Allee's intention is to honor the heroes and traditions of Naptown music in a modern context. Multiple compositions on the album reference contemporary themes. Those tracks include "Cookin' at the Kitchen," an ode to the Jazz Kitchen, the premiere Indianapolis jazz club of the 21st Century, and "Spang a Lang," a tune dedicated to the Steve Allee Big Band's drummer Steve Houghton, a renowned jazz musician who worked with the Indianapolis icon Freddie Hubbard.
The Steve Allee big band features a remarkable cast of musicians, and their performances on this project are impeccable. In the context of Indianapolis jazz, one player deserves special recognition, saxophonist Rob Dixon. His dynamic solos are a highlight of the album. Dixon is a central figure in the present day Indianapolis jazz scene. Fans and colleagues call him "The Mayor" in recognition of his importance. Dixon's frequent performances and tireless educational outreach ensure that jazz music remains a vital cultural force in Naptown.
Naptown Sound is a significant artistic work, full of lush harmonics, fiery solos and striking compositions that explore the full sonority of the big band sound. Steve Allee and his big band have created a passionate and heartfelt tribute to Indianapolis' jazz legacy.
Indianapolis jazz fans may continue to wonder if the Naptown sound will ever receive its full due on the national stage, I have no doubt that this project brings us one step closer to making that a reality.
Liner Notes copyright ? 2025 Steve Allee.
Naptown Sound can be purchased here.
Contact Steve Allee at All About Jazz.
Steve Allee, pianist, composer and arranger hails from Indianapolis.
Track Listing
Full House; Twins; Spang a Lang; Cookin' at the Kitchen; Naptown Nights; Wes at the Turf; Hubbub; Friends; Zebra II.
Personnel
Steve Allee
piano
John Clayton
bassMichael Stricklin
saxophone, tenorMatthew Pivec
saxophoneChip McNeill
saxophone, tenor
Rob Dixon
saxophoneNed Boyd
saxophoneJoey Tartell
trumpet
Derrick Gardner
trumpetJeff Conrad
trumpetAnsyn Banks
trumpet
John Raymond
trumpet
Jim Pugh
tromboneZachary Granger
tromboneRichard Dole
tromboneJared Rodin
tromboneSteve Houghton
drums
Jeremy Allen
bass, acoustic
Rusty Burge
vibraphoneSandy Williams
guitarAdditional Instrumentation
Erin Benedict, vocals; Brian Kilgore, percussion
Album information
Title: Naptown Sound | Year Released: 2025 | Record Label: Jazzville Studios
Tags
Liner Notes
AAJ Staff
Naptown Sound
Jazzville Studios
Steve Allee
Indianapolis
New Orleans
New York City
Noble Sissle
Eubie Blake
J.J. Johnson
Freddie Hubbard
Wes Montgomery
Leroy Vinnegar
Virgil Jones
Larry Ridley
Melvin Rhyne
David Baker
Slide Hampton
Monk Montgomery
Pharez Whitted
Buddy Montgomery
Phil Ranelin
Rob Dixon
duke ellington
Jelly Roll Morton
Louis Armstrong
Lester Young
Charlie Parker
Ella Fitzgerald
Count Basie
Miles Davis
John Coltrane
Buddy Rich
Carl Perkins
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