Archives Online at Indiana University

View options:

Search within this document:

 

Want to learn more?

  • Do you have a question about this collection?
  • Would you like to view the original items in this collection?
  • Are you seeking permission to publish or reproduce items in this collection?

Please contact the holding repository: Center for Documentary Research and Practice, IU Bloomington

Email: ohrc@indiana.edu

Bookmark and Share

Indianapolis Blues, 1985

A Guide to the Collection of Oral History Interviews at Indiana University Bloomington

Finding aid prepared by the staff of the Center for the Study of History and Memory with a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities Division of Preservation and Access, 2000-2002

Overview of the Collection

Repository
Indiana University Center for Documentary Research and Practice
Indiana University
Franklin Hall 0030B
601 E. Kirkwood Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47405
Phone: 812/855-2856
Fax: 812/855-0002
E-mail: ohrc@indiana.edu
https://cdrp.mediaschool.indiana.edu

Creator
Indiana University Center for the Study of History and Memory

Title
Indianapolis Blues, 1985

Project No.
ohrc069

Interviews
5 interviews. Audiotapes, transcripts, and collateral materials.

Physical Location
Interviews are housed in Franklin Hall, Room 0030B. Copies of interview transcripts are also held by the IU Libraries University Archives. Contact archives@indiana.edu for more information. For other locations housing the interviews from this project, please contact the Center for Documentary Research and Practice office.

Language
Materials are in English

Abstract
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.

Scope and Content Note

This collection contains five interviews conducted over five months. The interviews range from twenty-eight minutes to approximately four hours. All interviews consist of audio tapes and most have typed transcripts.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information
Oral history interviews conducted by the Indiana University Center for the Study of History and Memory from 1968 to the present, with particular focus on the history of twentieth-century America and the Midwest.
Usage Restrictions
The archive of the Center for Documentary Research and Practice at Indiana University is open to the use of researchers. Copies of transcript pages are available only when such copies are permitted by the deed of gift. Scholars must honor any restrictions the interviewee placed on the use of the interview. Since some of our earlier (pre-computer) transcripts do not exist in final form, any editing marks in a transcript (deletions, additions, corrections) are to be quoted as marked. Audio files may not be copied for patrons unless the deed of gift permits it, and a transcript is unavailable for that interview. The same rules of use that apply to a transcript apply to the audio interview. Interviews may not be reproduced in full for any public use, but excerpted quotes may be used as long as researchers fully cite the data in their research, including accession number, interview date, interviewee's and interviewer's name, and page(s).
Preferred Citation
[interviewee first name last name] interview, by [interviewer first name last name], [interview date(s)], [call number], [project name], Center for Documentary Research and Practice, Indiana University, Bloomington, [page number(s) or tape number and side if no transcript; if digital audio and no transcript, cite time when quote occurs].

Interview List


Interviewee
Deakyne, Florence R. Garvin February 27, 1985 

Call Number
85-073

Physical Description

Not transcribed; 4 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 3 hours 55 minutes

Interviewer
Wheeler, Will; Barrow, Garry; Harrah-Conforth, Bruce

Access Status

Restricted: Contact the Center for Documentary Research and Practice for more informaiton.

Scope and Content Note

Florence R. Garvin Deakyne was born on January 15, 1927 and died on November 20, 2005. She describes her life history and experiences with family and friends as a musician in Indianapolis, Indiana.

  • Keywords
    • Occupation Names
    • blues musician

Interviewee
Edwards, Willie "Kid" June 22, 1985 

Call Number
85-075

Physical Description

Not transcribed; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 60 minutes

Interviewer
Wheeler, Will; Barrow, Garry; Harrah-Conforth, Bruce

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

Willie "Kid" Edwards discusses his life as a blues musician in Indianapolis, Indiana.

  • Keywords
    • Occupation Names
    • blues musician

Interviewee
Grandy, Errol February 16, 1985 

Call Number
85-071

Physical Description

31 pages; 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 69 minutes; no index

Interviewer
Wheeler, Will; Barrow, Garry; Harrah-Conforth, Bruce

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

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.

  • Keywords
    • Corporation Names
    • Paradise Club
    • Sunset Club
    • Walker Casino
    • Family Names
    • Hampton
    • Occupation Names
    • pianist
    • Personal Names
    • Carr, Leroy
    • Ellington, Duke
    • Subjects
    • blues music
    • gospel music
    • jazz music
    • night club violence

Interviewee
Hall, J. Wallace February 27, 1985 

Call Number
85-074

Physical Description

77 pages; 3 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 139 minutes; no index

Interviewer
Wheeler, Will; Barrow, Garry; Harrah-Conforth, Bruce

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

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.

  • Keywords
    • Corporation Names
    • Club Royale
    • Ku Klux Klan
    • Family Names
    • Buffalo, New York
    • Mount Sterling, Kentucky
    • Occupation Names
    • saxophone player
    • Personal Names
    • Armstrong, Louis
    • Bennet, Frank
    • Subjects
    • African-Americans
    • Black history
    • discrimination
    • education
    • farming
    • home remedies
    • horse training
    • jazz music
    • marijuana
    • prostitution
    • racial violence
    • racism
    • segregation
    • syncopation

Interviewee
Rachell, James Yank February 16, 1985 

Call Number
85-072

Physical Description

Not transcribed; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 28 minutes

Interviewer
Wheeler, Will; Barrow, Garry; Harrah-Conforth, Bruce

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

James Yank Rachell discusses his life history and experiences as a blues musician.

  • Keywords
    • Occupation Names
    • blues musician

Accessibility Help