Flo Garvin

Flo Garvin-Deakyne

(January 15, 1927 - November 20, 2005)

Flo Garvin-Deakyne, pianist and song stylist, was among the first musicians to pave the way into the once all-white nightclubs in Indianapolis back in the 1930s and ’40s. Realizing the lack of jobs for African-Americans in the music industry in Indianapolis, this was somewhat of an emancipation time for popular music in Indianapolis. Not only did she play locally, but she played all over the Midwest as a piano soloist. Flo (as she is known by her friends) had a style similar to that of Eartha Kill and Leslie Uggams.

During her long musical career, Flo appeared on pleasure ships cruising the Great Lakes and appeared in all the top nightspots in Naptown. She appeared with stars like Rav Brown, Wes Montgomery, Mel Torme, Les Spann and the ever-loving Floyd Smith. During her long career, she managed to record two of her own original records on the King label, “Let Me Keep Warm” and “Outside In.”  She also at one time had a live television show on WFBM Channel 6 and was sponsored by Bud Gates Auto Dealership back in the 1950s. Her advice to young and upcoming musicians is simple and straight to the point: “Don’t do drugs and put God in your heart; He will show you the way. Our Heavenly Father never takes anything from His children unless He plans to give them something better.”