The USA is known to set music lovers’ excitement high, with its rock and jazz music. Various destinations in the country are associated with music history, which is a huge attraction for tourists who love music.
New Orleans, Louisiana
The USA is known to set music lovers’ excitement high, with its rock and jazz music. Various destinations in the country are associated with music history, which is a huge attraction for tourists who love music.
Rhythms of the South story
Atlanta, Nashville and New Orleans unique experiences, yet share a common thread of authentic Southern culture. From Atlanta’s rap and indie music, New Orleans’ jazz and Nashville’s country and rock, visitors can enjoy the music and musicians who have defined these cities. Atlanta, GeorgiaВ combines the romance of the Old South with the vitality of the New South. It’s a city of shops, restaurants, theatres, art centres and museums. Nashville, Tennessee lives up to its name, Music City. A creative melting pot that stirs together rock, country, bluegrass, jazz and more, it also blends in art, cuisine, unique shops and outdoor activities. New Orleans, Louisiana; famous for its Mardi Gras, jazz, exquisite architecture and its Cajun and Creole cuisine; is a city that greets visitors with an old-world appeal.
The Memphis Music Scene – Memphis, Tennessee
Downtown, Beale Street throbs with blues and rock bands every afternoon, and all night long. Beale’s best bets are B B King’s Blues Club, named after the guitarist who got his start here, and the Rum Boogie CafГ©/Mr Handy’s Blues Hall, which has a house band and guitar collection. Free music takes place at Beale’s open-air pavilion under a statue of W C Handy, the band leader whose 1912 recording вЂMemphis Blues’ launched 12-bar blues into popular culture. Handy’s historic home, a wooden shotgun house furnished with early 1900s furniture, instruments and sheet music, has been preserved as a museum here on the fabled street widely regarded as the birthplace of the blues.
Nearby, Automatic Slim’s Tonga Club is a chic cocktail spot and site of occasional live music. Along Main Street, the Center for Southern Folklore, an eclectic folk-art gallery with a cosy coffee shop, lures nationally known singer-songwriters of all musical genres.
Elsewhere around town, headliners such as Elvis Costello and other hipsters can be heard at the Hi-Tone Café, near the Memphis College of Art; while laid-back blues and beer sold by the quart draw crowds to Wild Bill’s, a no-frills juke joint on the outskirts of downtown. Redemption for such revelry awaits a stone’s throw from Graceland, where most Sunday mornings, the Grammy Award-winning soul singer and ordained reverend Al Green preaches and leads a hand-clapping, sing-out-to-Jesus service from the pulpit at his Full Gospel Tabernacle.
Austin, Texas: Live music and urban excitement
Set in the heart of America’s second largest state, Austin has a unique culture and hospitality. Relaxed and approachable, it’s a great place to visit, due to its vibrant arts and music scene. Austin’s world-renowned live music scene is second to none; there is music everywhere. Visitors can hear music in grocery stores, at the airport and in more than 250 venues throughout the city. With 2,000 local artists playing blues to pop, rock to indie – the Austin music scene is rich with diversity. The city also plays host to a wide variety of festivals and events throughout the year, drawing in some of the biggest names in music. One should check out the Austin City Limits Music Festival, South by Southwest, Pachanga Latino Music Festival, and Fun Fun Fun Fest.
Diverse entertainment districts
For nightlife and entertainment, one can check out Rainey Street – a street lined with historic bungalow homes, many of which have been turned into unique bars and restaurants. Sixth Street – an iconic district in the heart of downtown – attracts locals and visitors alike. The neighbourhood of South Congress also offers many curiosity shops and restaurants, as well as music and art venues.
With 300 days of sunshine annually, a trip to Austin wouldn’t be complete without enjoying outdoor dining. Local favourites include Shady Grove, Easy Tiger and Guero’s Taco Bar. Also popular is the annual Austin Food and Wine Festival, with more than 100 food, wine and spirit exhibitors, numerous celebrity chef showcases and live music.
Newport, Rhode Island: Listen to jazz in a legendary setting
Newport changed the standard method of jazz presentation, giving jazzmen the opportunity to play before huge crowds. By the late 1960s, the festival had begun booking rock and R&B acts, which changed its character so much that founder Wein pulled the plug in 1971. For the next 10 years, he took his festival around the world, but in 1981 it returned to Newport with a renewed focus on the music that had made it famous. Today, it still attracts some of the biggest names in jazz each August – McCoy Tyner, Joe Lovano, Chick Corea, Carla Bley, Bill Frisell and Wynton Marsalis among them.
Other festivals round out Newport’s summer calendar. The Newport Folk Festival, another Wein brainchild, was first presented in 1959 and has seen many historic performances, including Bob Dylan’s вЂDylan Goes Electric’ set in 1965. Held over three days in early August, the Folk Festival attracts the likes of Richard Thompson, Nanci Griffith, Arlo Guthrie, Elvis Costello and Emmylou Harris. The Newport Music Festival, which takes place over three weeks in July, presents more than 60 classical recitals and chamber music programmes in Newport’s 19th-century cottages.
New Orleans, Louisiana: The birthplace of jazz
The Big Easy’s annual Jazz and Heritage Festival (Jazz Fest) is one of America’s great music parties. For 10 days in late April and early May, hundreds of musicians perform on 10 stages, offering not just jazz, but also Cajun, Latin, zydeco, R&B, rock, gospel and African-Caribbean music. Hundreds of artisans sell their wares, and the best of Louisiana’s culinary heritage (from shrimp po’boys to alligator piquante) shares the spotlight at over 100 stalls.
Top jazz venues
There are many music halls and jazz venues to choose from throughout New Orleans. One can watch a performance at Preservation Hall, where they can witness this American art form which is still played in its original form. Another good location to catch live jazz is Frenchmen Street, just about a block outside the French Quarter. This area has come to be known by the locals as one of the best places to enjoy live music and food in the city. There are countless music halls and jazz clubs to choose from, and one particular favourite is the Spotted Cat Music Club.
Rhythms of the South story
Atlanta, Nashville and New Orleans unique experiences, yet share a common thread of authentic Southern culture. From Atlanta’s rap and indie music, New Orleans’ jazz and Nashville’s country and rock, visitors can enjoy the music and musicians who have defined these cities. Atlanta, GeorgiaВ combines the romance of the Old South with the vitality of the New South. It’s a city of shops, restaurants, theatres, art centres and museums. Nashville, Tennessee lives up to its name, Music City. A creative melting pot that stirs together rock, country, bluegrass, jazz and more, it also blends in art, cuisine, unique shops and outdoor activities. New Orleans, Louisiana; famous for its Mardi Gras, jazz, exquisite architecture and its Cajun and Creole cuisine; is a city that greets visitors with an old-world appeal.
The Memphis Music Scene – Memphis, Tennessee
Downtown, Beale
Street throbs with blues and rock bands every afternoon, and all night long. Beale’s best bets are B B King’s Blues Club, named after the guitarist who got his start here, and the Rum Boogie CafГ©/Mr Handy’s Blues Hall, which has a house band and guitar collection. Free music takes place at Beale’s open-air pavilion under a statue of W C Handy, the band leader whose 1912 recording вЂMemphis Blues’ launched 12-bar blues into popular culture. Handy’s historic home, a wooden shotgun house furnished with early 1900s furniture, instruments and sheet music, has been preserved as a museum here on the fabled street widely regarded as the birthplace of the blues.
Nearby, Automatic Slim’s Tonga Club is a chic cocktail spot and site of occasional live music. Along Main Street, the Center for Southern Folklore, an eclectic folk-art gallery with a cosy coffee shop, lures nationally known singer-songwriters of all musical genres.
Elsewhere around town, headliners such as Elvis Costello and other hipsters can be heard at the Hi-Tone Café, near the Memphis College of Art; while laid-back blues and beer sold by the quart draw crowds to Wild Bill’s, a no-frills juke joint on the outskirts of downtown. Redemption for such revelry awaits a stone’s throw from Graceland, where most Sunday mornings, the Grammy Award-winning soul singer and ordained reverend Al Green preaches and leads a hand-clapping, sing-out-to-Jesus service from the pulpit at his Full Gospel Tabernacle.
Austin, Texas: Live music and urban excitement
Set in the heart of America’s second largest state, Austin has a unique culture and hospitality. Relaxed and approachable, it’s a great place to visit, due to its vibrant arts and music scene. Austin’s world-renowned live music scene is second to none; there is music everywhere. Visitors can hear music in grocery stores, at the airport and in more than 250 venues throughout the city. With 2,000 local artists playing blues to pop, rock to indie – the Austin music scene is rich with diversity. The city also plays host to a wide variety of festivals and events throughout the year, drawing in some of the biggest names in music. One should check out the Austin City Limits Music Festival, South by Southwest, Pachanga Latino Music Festival, and Fun Fun Fun Fest.
Diverse entertainment districts
For nightlife and entertainment, one can check out Rainey Street – a street lined with historic bungalow homes, many of which have been turned into unique bars and restaurants. Sixth Street – an iconic district in the heart of downtown – attracts locals and visitors alike. The neighbourhood of South Congress also offers many curiosity shops and restaurants, as well as music and art venues.
With 300 days of sunshine annually, a trip to Austin wouldn’t be complete without enjoying outdoor dining. Local favourites include Shady Grove, Easy Tiger and Guero’s Taco Bar. Also popular is the annual Austin Food and Wine Festival, with more than 100 food, wine and spirit exhibitors, numerous celebrity chef showcases and live music.
Newport, Rhode Island: Listen to jazz in a legendary setting
Newport changed the standard method of jazz presentation, giving jazzmen the opportunity to play before huge crowds. By the late 1960s, the festival had begun booking rock and R&B acts, which changed its character so much that founder Wein pulled the plug in 1971. For the next 10 years, he took his festival around the world, but in 1981 it returned to Newport with a renewed focus on the music that had made it famous. Today, it still attracts some of the biggest names in jazz each August – McCoy Tyner, Joe Lovano, Chick Corea, Carla Bley, Bill Frisell and Wynton Marsalis among them.
Other festivals round out Newport’s summer calendar. The Newport Folk Festival, another Wein brainchild, was first presented in 1959 and has seen many historic performances, including Bob Dylan’s вЂDylan Goes Electric’ set in 1965. Held over three days in early August, the Folk Festival attracts the likes of Richard Thompson, Nanci Griffith, Arlo Guthrie, Elvis Costello and Emmylou Harris. The Newport Music Festival, which takes place over three weeks in July, presents more than 60 classical recitals and chamber music programmes in Newport’s 19th-century cottages.
New Orleans, Louisiana: The birthplace of jazz
The Big Easy’s annual Jazz and Heritage Festival (Jazz Fest) is one of America’s great music parties. For 10 days in late April and early May, hundreds of musicians perform on 10 stages, offering not just jazz, but also Cajun, Latin, zydeco, R&B, rock, gospel and African-Caribbean music. Hundreds of artisans sell their wares, and the best of Louisiana’s culinary heritage (from shrimp po’boys to alligator piquante) shares the spotlight at over 100 stalls.
Top jazz venues
There are many music halls and jazz venues to choose from throughout New Orleans. One can watch a performance at Preservation Hall, where they can witness this American art form which is still played in its original form. Another good location to catch live jazz is Frenchmen Street, just about a block outside the French Quarter. This area has come to be known by the locals as one of the best places to enjoy live music and food in the city. There are countless music halls and jazz clubs to choose from, and one particular favourite is the Spotted Cat Music Club.
