The "Jazz Masters of Indiana Avenue" mural is one of 46 murals that was painted for the 46 for XLVI mural program administered by the Arts Council of Indianapolis.  The mural program was created as a part beautifying and preparing Indianapolis for the Super Bowl in February. 

The mural was painted by Pamela Bliss who also painted another program mural called "My Affair With Kurt Vonnegut".

The mural depicts musicians who played on the historic Indiana Avenue when the district was lively with music venues during the 50's and 60's.   Most of the musicians in the mural developed their skills on the avenue and went on to great success and fame.  Musicians in the mural include Wes Montgomery, Larry Ridley, Freddie Hubbard, J.J. Johnson, Dr. David Baker, Jimmy Coe, and David Young.   Photographer Duncan Schiedt documented all of these jazz greats frequenting the avenue and supplied most of the photos for the imagery.

Many of the musicians in the mural, who would have been in their 70's to 80's, have passed away.  Members of each family still live in the Indianapolis area.  The mural was created to honor the Indianapolis jazz greats and continue their legacy.   The Starr-Gennett Foundation will give each musician, or the surviving families, a recognition award for keeping Indiana's jazz heritage alive.  The foundation states that Indiana is "the cradle of recorded jazz". 

 

 

JazzMuralDedicationFlyer
Dedication Flyer 1 Dedication Flyer 2

   

 

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