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Billy Wooten was a US vibraphonist and percussionist born in New York. He began his musical journey on the piano before exploring various brass instruments, including the trumpet, trombone, and French horn, eventually focusing on the vibraphone and marimba. During his college years at Rutgers University, he left around 1960-61 to tour as a sideman with the blues act Dean and Jean. From 1964 to 1968, he led his own group, Billy Wooten and the Invaders, which performed jazz and R&B, and had the opportunity to back notable artists like Smokey Robinson and Gladys Night. Wooten's initial visit to Indianapolis in 1968 led to regular performances at the Hub-Bub Lounge and the 19th Hole, where he was under contract with Janie Robinson. He toured and recorded with guitarist Grant Green from 1969 to 1971, significantly contributing to Green's albums on Blue Note during that time, including Visions and Shades of Green. He also recorded with singer Jerry Butler and the Soulful Strings. Due to contract disputes, Wooten and other members of Green's band returned to the 19th Hole, performing as the Wooden Glass for about five years, with frequent engagements. Wooden Glass recorded a self-titled live album in 1972 on Wooten's own label, Interim, and a studio album called 19th Hole on Eastbound Records. Although his

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