In addition to its beautiful, mountainous terrain and friendly, Southern appeal, Tennessee is well-known for its thriving music scene, particularly in the jazz and blues genre. From Nashville to Memphis, some of the greatest minds in the music industry have recorded, lived or played in the state, taking advantage of its musical heritage and deep-rooted fan base. Both the jazz and blues genres have their roots in African-American communities; however, over time, the genres have evolved to reflect and include all cultures and faces.
Jazz Roots
Tennessee blues is rooted in piano, guitar and vocal chord progressions and raw, gritty lyrics that reflect the struggles of everyday life. No topic is taboo when it comes to the blues, with songs relating to racism, love, loss, finances and more - all meant to reflect the pain and emotion of society at the time. Meanwhile, jazz is a bit more upbeat, incorporating blue notes and vocal improvisation to a melodious sound. Jazz is generally a bit more polished and includes more instruments than blues, which is usually more dependent on percussion, guitar and vocals.
Founding Father of Blues
When it comes to great artists, W.C. Handy is known as the Father of Memphis Blues and is credited with writing one of the first Memphis blues songs, appropriately titled "Memphis Blues." He also was the author of "Beale Street Blues," aptly written to describe one of the main thoroughfares through the heart of Memphis. Many people credit Handy with the entire inception of the Memphis blues genre and for bringing it to the forefront of the music industry.
Tennessee Music Festivals
Since music is such a large part of Tennessee's history, there are several festivals and celebrations centered around music annually. Two of the biggest festivals held in Memphis, both of which are well-attended by residents and tourists alike, are the Memphis in May music festival and the International Blues Challenge. Both of these festivals draw large crowds and feature some of the best performers in the industry.
Past artists in attendance at these festivals have included BB King, Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis, the North Mississippi All Stars, James Brown and many others. The Blues Challenge is a competition that draws more than 100 acts from around the world, all of them competing for cash, industry recognition, record deals and other prizes. The Challenge is put on by the Blues Foundation in an effort to continue the tradition of showcasing new talent to keep the genre from being eclipsed by more popular musical trends.
Another great festival is the Memphis in May music festival, which spans an entire month and incorporates the Beale Street Music Festival as one of its events. For visitors looking to hear some real, down home jazz and blues, the Beale Street Music Festival is the place to be. It most represents what Tennessee music is all about and boasts an unlimited amount of raw, real talent in one place.
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