Everett Greene

Everett Greene

(February 16, 1934 - Present) 

Everett Greene was born in Washington, D.C. and, as a youth, he began performing in school quartets. Having entered the Marine Corps in 1952 and following a tour in Korea, Greene married and settled to raise a family in Indianapolis. He became interested in jazz when he heard local musicians such as Wes Montgomery, Freddie Hubbard, and David Baker. But Greene did not pursue his love of jazz for many years. He had a day job where he worked as a mold maker in the melting department of Indianapolis factories.  It was not until after his retirement in 1982 that Greene truly focused on his professional music career.

Following retirement, Greene became a full-time performer and was a stage actor in several touring shows. Eventually, he became interested in jazz again.  With his deep baritone voice, he has been known to hint at Billy Eckstine and Arthur Prysock, without copying them.  In 1994 he recorded his debut album, At Last, followed by his release of My Foolish Heart in 1998 and I’ve Got Love in 2002. He is featured with the Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra on the album, Heart & Soul: The Music of Hoagy Carmichael.  

 Everett has performed with jazz greats Wes Montgomery, Snooky Young, David Baker, JR Mance, Norman Simmons, Larry Ridley, and Buddy Montgomery, just to name a few. He has been a featured vocalist throughout the United States, Canada, Africa, Japan, Italy, and Germany in jazz festivals, on cruise ships, and in concert venues as a guest artist and singer. Jazz festival credits include the Montreal Jazz Festival, Indy Jazz Fest, the World Music Festival in Japan, the Rhinelander Jazz Festival, and dozens more.  Everett has also performed with several great performing organizations as a featured vocalist including The Smithsonian Jazz Orchestra, Harlem Renaissance, Chicago Jazz, The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and Seattle Jazz.  He spent time touring and performing with the great Count Basie Orchestra.

The Indianapolis Jazz Foundation is proud to celebrate our musical legacy. The accomplishments of two Indianapolis Jazz Hall of Fame musicians were recently recognized. Reverend Marvin Chandler, Civil Rights activist, Indianapolis Jazz musician, and lecturer in the Jordan College of the Arts, and Everett F. Greene, Sr., legendary Indianapolis Jazz musician and lecturer in the Jordan College of the Arts, received honorary doctorate degrees during Butler University’s Spring Commencement ceremonies on May 5, 2023, at Hinkle Fieldhouse…