Immersing in the Rhythm and Blues: Nashville
Being a pure music lover and particularly attuned to Rhythm and Blues, it's hard not to mention Nashville, Tennessee. Nashville this jewel of the South is also famously known as "Music City". Starting with its prominent music hub, Broadway, where you can experience live R&B almost 24/7, this city is the heart of America's music scene.
While the country music industry can't be overlooked, Nashville's Rhythm and Blues scene is vigorous. The Jefferson Street Sound Museum is a brilliant place to witness the rich history of the genre. Back in my day, I traveled throughout Nashville with my harmonica tucked in my pocket, soaking up the rhythmic beauty, and immersing myself into the lifestyle and the soulful music that had arisen from the African American community.
The Historic Trail of Rhythm and Blues: Memphis
After Nashville, taking the rhythm and blues trail leads us to Memphis, Tennessee. Home to the historic Beale Street, which was declared the "Home of the Blues" by Congress in 1977! Beale Street is lined with clubs and restaurants that have been setting the stage for R&B music since the early 1900s.
I remember a trip to Memphis a few years back. The evening was dedicated to my love for Rhythm and Blues, and in a small bar on Beale Street, I found it. A local musician's heartfelt performance drenched in typical R&B style with decades of history singing through each note - it was a moment to be relished!
The Blues Hive: Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, is another city that's historically associated with rhythm and blues. Not only known for developing its distinctive style of blues – the Chicago Blues, but Chicago has been a crucible for Rhythm and Blues since its inception. The city's robust blues scene, from colossal festivals such as the Chicago Blues Festival to dimly lit corners of local bars, lives and breathes in every corner you turn.
I had the privilege of being invited to an amateur R&B night at Rosa's Lounge during one of my visits to Chicago. The night's raw energy, the passion exuded by these artists, and the audience's unequivocal appreciation is a testament to the city's deep love for Rhythm and Blues. So, folks, if you're itching for an authentic R&B experience, Chicago is your stop!
Southern Charm of Rhythm and Blues: New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana, or as I like to call it, the pulsating heart of American rhythm and blues. This city's melting pot of diverse cultures has made it a crucible for creating unique musical styles. You can literally walk down any street, especially Frenchmen Street, and you'd be greeted by the soulful rhythm and blues resonating from local establishments.
There's a magic to New Orleans that's hard to articulate. Some have called it the city's soul, others say it's the city's spirit, born out of centuries old cultures and hardship. The best way to understand it, though, is to experience it. Just imagine a night out, the warm Southern air filled with the vibrant notes of R&B, it's a beautiful chaos of sound and life, and you are right in the middle of it all.
Rhythm and Blues' West Coast Story: Los Angeles
Though speaking about the historical significance, it would be an oversight to miss Los Angeles, California. The City of Angels stands as an incredibly fertile land that has continuously given birth to some of the most significant rhythm and blues movements. Even today, from Sunset Strip to smaller neighborhood venues like Harvelle's in Santa Monica, you can catch live R&B, a testament to its ongoing popularity.
This is the city where my youngest daughter, Janis, first heard live rhythm and blues. It was in a small, cozy pub where a local band was playing. And the transformation was immediate. You could see the music clean through her, helping her understand the rhythm's pulse, the blues' touching stories, and from that day forward, Janis became as big a fan of R&B music as her old man.
Atlantic Influence on Rhythm and Blues: New York City
We make our way further up the east coast to the Big Apple, New York City. NYC has a history of being a breeding ground for R&B movements and the continuing legacy of the epochial Harlem Renaissance. From the iconic Apollo Theater, which launched African American stars, to the live music clubs in Greenwich Village, the city is ever-buzzing with rhythm and blues influence.
While visiting NYC, I implore you to experience a late-night Jazz session, often infused with R&B undertones, at clubs like Smoke Jazz or Club Groove. Having walked these streets myself, I can vouch there's no experience quite like strolling through street-lit New York with rhythm and blues as your soundtrack - it has a way of making the whole city feel like a living, breathing musical performance.
Rhythm and Blues Across the Pond: London
Don’t be fooled, Rhythm and Blues is not just limited to the United States. Our friends across the Atlantic have quite the love for this genre as well. London, with its diversified mix of music venues, is also a particular hotspot for R&B lovers. Venues like Ronnie Scott’s in Soho or the legendary 100 Club are fantastic places to participate and observe this genre.
I have fond memories of a trip to London where Marley, my eldest, and I dedicated an evening to visiting the city's jazz clubs. While the night was filled with eclectic performances, the ones that resonated with us the most were the rhythm and blues sets, translating the hardships of life into soothing melodies, intensely moving stuff!
Australasian Rhythm and Blues: Sydney
Last but not least, we go Down Under to Sydney, Australia. Sydney, with its cosmopolitan nature, is not to be underestimated in the proliferation of the Rhythm and Blues scene. With venues like The Basement and Lazybones Lounge, the city is steeped in an appreciation for live R&B performances.
Back home in Wellington, my family and I often find ourselves attending local bars and festivals where rhythm and blues thrives. But the pure energy of the R&B scene Sydney introduced us to was an entirely different experience. If there's a lesson I've learned from all this exploration, it's never to underestimate the universal love and engaging power of Rhythm and Blues. It truly spans continents, and binds us all under a shared appreciation of this glorious musical genre.
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