Aleta Hodge, Author

"Impressive! Aleta Hodge has thoroughly researched and written the biography of Noble Sissle, Sr.

Global young adult readers and musicians need to read this book and know the history of American

jazz music." Highly recommended! 

Dr. Larry Ridley

Jazz Bassist and Professor Emeritus of Jazz

Rutgers University Livingston College of Music

 

"Aleta Hodge guides us through the legacy and work of Noble Sissle, Sr. with detailed research and

thorough historical framework. What an important and insightful documentation of one of the most

prolific entertainers, writers, and producers of American and French culture and history. Merci to

Monsieur Sissle for introducing jazz to Europe." Highly recommended! 

Dr. Monika Herzig
Professor of Artistic Research
Jam Music Lab Private University
Jazz Pianist/ Author/ Composer

 

 "Noble Sissle is one of the most important neglected figures in modern day American history." 

Dan Wakefield

Prolific Author & Civil Rights Advocate

The Robust Life & Music of Noble Sissle, Sr. is a biography of the 1921 Broadway show co-producer of Shuffle Along, lyricist, tenor soloist, Harlem Hellfighter, Veteran, international jazz conductor and entrepreneur. This book targets readers from young adults to adults and shares the rise from a young church soloist to an international jazz conductor. Along the way, Sissle performed with a variety of famous entertainers such as Eubie Blake, James Reese Europe and his Clef Club Orchestra, and many others. During World War I, Sissle was a Sergeant in the 369th Regimental Band in France and they introduced jazz to France and Europe. Vintage photos of Sissle, Blake, James Reese Europe, and historic landmarks in the U.S. and France are included. Sissle's life long work towards racial and social justice are key elements. The courageous members of the Regiments (369, 370, 371, and 372) including Privates Henry Johnson and Needham Roberts are highlighted. France gave the prestigious Croix de Guere medals to all the members of the above Regiments.

The life and musical history of Indiana Avenue from 1915 to 2015 are presented for readers from young adults to adults. It shows the robust legacy of music including ragtime, blues, jazz, spiritual, bebop, doo wop, Motown, opera and hip hop. A diverse array of Indiana music legends are represented including (Wes Montgomery, J.J. Johnson, Freddie Hubbard, The Ink Spots, David Baker, Larry Ridley, Slide Hampton, Hoagy Carmichael, and Angela Brown). Musicians and music educators share their advice for young musicians. Life during racially segregated times to current diversified times are discussed. The important contributions of women and women's empowerment for 100-years are highlighted. Glimpses of the Hodge family are interwoven with the musical history. Over sixty photos and maps illustrate the rich and notable history.

"Having once played in the bands of both Freddie Hubbard and J.J, Johnson, I listened and learned

quite a bit about the hsitory of Indiana Avenue. It's a rich and storied history. One that particularly

could not ever exixt again."

- Christian McBride, Jazz Bassist and NPR Host of Jazz Night in America

 

"The 'hidden treasures' of the great jazz music from Indiana Avenue is chronicled in an important

new book by Aleta Hodge - "Indiana Avenue - Life and Musical Journey from 1915 to 2015." This

is an in-depth look at some of the great jazz musicians from Indianapolis who gained national and

worldwide fame but were seldome recognized or celebrated in the mainstream media of their own

hometown."

- Dan Wakwfield, Author of Going All the Way

 

"Aleta Hodge has captured a significant portion of Americas's great musical history with this

historically revealing book. "She gives us an in-depth view of what musical life in Naptown was like

over the span of 100 years. I've never seen many of her insights in print before and her writing style

makes me feel I personally know all these wonderful people who helped make

history right her in mid-America. Captivating book. A must read."

- Jamey Abersold, Jazz saxophonist and jazz educator at jazzbooks.com