Nashville's musical legacy extends far beyond the mainstream country narrative. Tucked away in North Nashville, the Jefferson Street Sound Museum stands as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of jazz, soul, and rhythm and blues that thrived from the 1940s through the 1970s. Founded and curated by Lorenzo Washington, this museum isn't just a collection of artefacts – it's a living, breathing continuation of the African American music and community that shaped generations.
We’re talking about artists like Jimi Hendrix, Etta James, James Brown, Little Richard, Peggy Gaines, Jimmy Church, Frank Howard, Jackie Shane, Ike and Tina Turner and many more, when they played the many clubs that lined Jefferson Street, alongside the local enterprises that provided ‘everything you need to sustain a community’. That was until around half a century ago, when the construction of Interstate 40 displaced more than a thousand black residents, destroyed a business and cultural district on Jefferson Street that was thriving against the odds, and cut the neighbourhood in half.
Lorenzo tells of how ‘black museums start in the kitchen’ – literally – and his was no different. What he thought might last a year or so has since grown to consume his entire house, win multiple awards, and spawn a new generation of folk taking up the mantle. The brilliant short film on PBS, Exit 207, opens with Lorenzo walking astride young leader Carlos Partee, founder of the Nashville Black Market, just part of the cultural and economic resurgence on and around Jefferson Street. And Lorenzo’s open mic nights, recording studio, community events, conversations with legends and more, continue to not just preserve a legacy, but create one.
When I met up with this dapper, funny, humble and still sprightly 82-year-old at the Museum, he was gearing up for the Annual Gala on April 3 - in honor of what is now Lorenzo Washington Day in Nashville, Tennessee. But he kindly found time for this tour and yarn with us. We’re greeted at the door by the Museum’s VP, Karen Coffee, before being joined by Lorenzo. And we end up with a song produced for him at the Museum by Nashville’s Queen of the Blues, Marion James.
I’ve been hanging out to bring you this one. Let’s head to Jefferson St.
There are a bunch of photos on the episode web page too (and more for paid subscribers soon).
With thanks to new subscribers here on Substack, Rowena Morrow and Gabrielle Mann (thanks sister). And to the good men clocking up 3 years of treasured support on Patreon – Mike Mouritz, Reuben Parker-Greer, Rob Scott & John Macpherson.