High C at the Sunset Terrace

Set in Indianapolis in 1948 in the jazz clubs along Indiana Avenue, High C at the Sunset Terrace is the story of the triumphant love between trumpeter Marvin Turner and singer Cheryl Johnson. Their bond endures in the midst of personal challenges and momentous change in postwar America. The pair is at the forefront of musical developments such as bebop, jump blues and doo-wop. They encounter most of the pioneering figures in those genres. Many of them live and work in the Avenue neighborhood. Others come through Naptown and perform at the Sunset Terrace Ballroom, which was an actual venue that featured the top African-American talent of the day. When the road beckons, they find themselves witnessing history in other cities as well. Theirs is a world of neon lights, shady nightclub owners and booking agents, loyal mentors, barber-shop gossip, and after-hours jam sessions. Marvin and Cheryl first meet when each of them are guest performers with the house band at The Rhythm Room. Al, the club's proprietor, encourages them to get together, but circumstances force him to sell his establishment, and the new owner is determined to pull them apart, even if he has to resort to sinister means. This is a story of commitment to one's vision and a celebration of community and loyalty. What Marvin and Cheryl share becomes a force for healing and inspiration for all those in their lives. Those friends and family members are there to give back that support when Marvin and Cheryl face life-changing decisions. It's a tale peopled with actual legendary figures, as well as some of the most colorful and unforgettable characters to be found in this genre of fiction.

Barney Quick is a jazz and blues guitarist and arts journalist. He has contributed to Arts Indiana, Into Art, and Indie-music.com. He also writes a column for The Republic, the daily newspaper in Columbus, Indiana. He teaches jazz history, blues history and rock history at Indiana University - Purdue University - Columbus. Writing clips and samples of his work as a musician are available at www.barneyquick.net. He lives with his wife Wilma and three cats in central Indiana.