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
TitleIndianapolis 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.
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Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Paradise Club
- Sunset Club
- Walker Casino
-
-
-
-
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.
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Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Club Royale
- Ku Klux Klan
-
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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.
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Keywords
-
-
Occupation Names
- blues musician