Rudolph Finnell, Sr.

Bio: Rudolph E. Finnell, Sr.

Rudolph Finnell, Sr., fondly called “Rudy” in his adult years, was raised on the near north side of Indianapolis. His first musical experience began at IPS School #26 with Mr. James Compton where he played the baritone horn and tuba. He played tuba in the Arsenal Technical High School Band under the direction of Mr. Raymond Brandes. With the encouragement of his older brother, Rudy started playing the string bass. It was Mr. Brandes that encouraged Rudy to become a music teacher. Listening to the jazz music of his brother, a musician, and older sister, influenced and developed his passion for jazz music. Rudy took private lessons in the home of Mr. David Baker prior to his professorship at Indiana University to cultivate development as an accomplished jazz artist. He demonstrated his ability with limited years of experience on the string bass by playing locally while attending Indiana Central University. Much of his success was due to the excellent instruction of Mr. Tom Reynolds, principle bassist of the Indianapolis Symphony. After graduation in 1969, Rudy played that summer with the Indianapolis Symphony Summer Parks Series, and with the Nat Nichols Trio at a resort in New Jersey.

He began his teaching career at West Side High School in Gary, Indiana as Orchestra and Assistant Band Director. He formed the Rudy Finnell Trio playing at numerous nightclubs. Some years later he played behind vocalist Delphine Cortez. Performing jazz and pop material at Chicago’s Mr. Kelly’s Supper Club, Playboy Club, Millionaires Club and numerous Holiday Inns and Ramada Inns, he maintained a steady performance schedule while teaching school. In Chicago he developed a friendship with bassist Rufus Reid who gave many tips on how to improving his concept of playing jazz.

After six years of teaching in Gary, Indiana, he attended the University of Iowa and received a Masters of Music Degree. In Iowa, he performed jazz at several nightspots and was employed with the Cedar Rapids Symphony.

Returning to Indianapolis in 1977, he accepted a teaching position at Manual High School and IPS School # 65, later transferring to Broad Ripple High School as Band and Orchestra Director in 1979.

At Broad Ripple, Rudolph, sometime called Rudy, enhanced the jazz program making it one of Indianapolis finest performing high school jazz ensembles. The Broad Ripple Jazz Band performed at many functions public and private including; opening band for Black Expos’ “Jazz Under The Stars,” numerous performances at the Governs Mansion, many local and national conventions in the Indianapolis area and also for President Bill Clinton. The Jazz Band travel to Anaheim, California and performed for the International Association of Jazz Educators with Dr. David Baker as guest soloist.

The Broad Ripple Jazz Band achieved the following awards in Rudy’s twenty-four year tenure: a. Twenty - one consecutive First Division Rating at the Indiana State Music Association Jazz Contest. b. Nine Sweepstakes Band Awards at the Indiana State University Jazz Festival. c. Five Honor Band and four Honorable Mention Awards at the Ball State University Jazz Festival

In 1979, Rudy started performing with Indianapolis’s legendary Mr. Jimmy Coe’s Big Band and small combo which also gave many of his student bassist opportunity to play in that band when he had other school obligation. He performed with Mr. Coe for seventeen years. He considers Jimmy Coe as one of his major musical influences and a mentor to many of his musical endeavors.

Retiring from teaching in 2003, Rudy formed the Finnell Factor Jazz Ensemble. Performances include; Black History Month at the Arts Garden, Jazz in the Park, Indiana Avenue Renaissance Festival and numerous private functions.

He is also an arranger and is very proud to be a contributing arranger for vocalist Kellen Strutz’s CD “Simply Beautiful”. He arranged for Mr. Bill Myers, director of the Rose Awards and Bill Myers’ tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “Martin and Me.”

Rudolph Finnell and his wife of forty-four years, Evelyn, are very proud parents of two children; Rudolph Jr. and Eloise. Incidentally, both children played in band at Broad Ripple under the direction of their father.

Awards

"Hall of Fame" 2010 - Indianapolis Jazz Foundation