Cultural Manifesto

On this week's show Kyle's guest is Elayne Jones, a world renown percussionist and the first Black woman in the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Jones worked with some of the greatest orchestras and conductors of the 20th Century, including Leopold Stokowski and Duke Ellington.

Host Kyle Long talks with Father Amde of the Watts Prophets, their 1971 debut release is widely regarded as the first rap album.

20 years ago host Kyle Long bought a box of vintage reel-to-reel tapes at a garage sale. Among the recordings was a fantastic demo containing an unreleased album by an obscure Indiana funk band called The Fatelics. After years of searching for the band, on this week's show Kyle meets The Fatelics' guitarist Rodney Wood, and listens to the group's long lost demo recordings.

Host Kyle Long pays tribute to some of the legendary women of Indianapolis soul music, with interviews and music from: Lois Blaine, Aretta La Marre, The Pearls, The Indy's, The Sentimentals, Debbie Nelson, Mary Brown, and Niambi Steele of 24 Carat Black.

This week, Kyle takes a look at the NPR's Tiny Desk Contest. Small Studio Sessions producer Melissa Davis joins the show to discuss the evolution of the WFYI's music series and its connection to the Tiny Desk contest. Kyle also airs his chat 2017 Tiny Desk winners Tank and The Bangas, and shares his interview with this month's Small Studio artist Okara Imani.

This week Kyle's guests are Dena El Saffar and Tim Moore of Salaam, a Middle Eastern music ensemble based in Bloomington. Kyle shares tracks from their new album Mediterranean Nights.

On this week's show host Kyle Long looks back to the 1920s, '30s and '40s to examine how Indianapolis musicians dealt with the severe economic and social problems brought on by catastrophic events like the Great depression and World War II. Kyle focuses on the music of Leroy Carr, Scrapper Blackwell, Little Bill Gaither, and Emry Arthur.

This week Kyle's guest is the Indianapolis jazz vocalist Sandy Lomax, who found success performing in Europe during the 1990s.

On this episode of Cultural Manifesto Kyle is joined by rock musician Rick Espinoza, a pioneer of Mexican-America music in Indianapolis.

On this edition of Cultural Manifesto Kyle Long's guest is jazz vocalist Yvonne Allu. Kyle and Yvonne listen to tracks off her new record 'Clymate Change.'

This week on Cultural Manifesto host Kyle Long celebrates the 97th anniversary of the birth of jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery. Kyle shares interviews featuring Wes' family, friends, and fellow musicians - including Herbie Hancock, Zakir Hussain, and others.

This week, Kyle talks with Indianapolis blues and R&B vocalist Debbie Nelson of the In Full Transition band. The two discuss her early years growing up along Indiana Avenue.

This week Kyle's guests are Mike Woods and Sandy Lomax of the legendary Indianapolis funk band Soul Relation. We discuss the band's legacy, and listen to some excellent unreleased recordings the band made during the 1970s.

This week host Kyle Long's guest is Indianapolis rapper/producer Willis. The two discuss his new album 'Welcome to the Universe.'

Kyle's guests are pianist Rev. Marvin Chandler and vocalist Everett Greene, who have been performing jazz music together in Indianapolis for over twenty years. The conversation focuses on the life of Rev. Chandler, from his work in music, to his work as an activist for civil rights.

This week, Kyle Long talks with Indianapolis-based DJ and electronic music producer D. Strange.

This week, Kyle Long talks with jazz saxophonist Amanda Gardier about her new album "Flyover Country."

Host Kyle Long pays tribute to 40 important musicians who passed away during 2019.

This week Kyle Long revisits some of his favorite interviews of 2019, including: Tank and The Bangas, Lonnie Holley, Anila Agha, Amerikkken, and Destiny Muhammad.

Host Kyle Long pays tribute to Rev. James Davis, founder and lead vocalist of the Indianapolis soul group "The Vanguards". Davis passed away in October of 2019.