A Cultural History of Washington D.C. Music
D.C.’s evolution as a city has been informed by music from the start. Recent histories have focused disproportionately on the ‘80s punk scene, but jazz, folk, classical, and go-go were just as instrumental in shaping the character of the city.
We’ll discuss moments when music history and D.C. history converged, including:
− The James Brown benefit concert in the aftermath of the 1968 riots on 14th Street;
− Stravinsky’s “Dumbarton Oaks Concerto”;
− Bo Didley’s basement recording studio at 2614 Rhode Island Ave. NE, where he helped
launch the career of other musicians;
− “Town and Country Time,” a 1950s TV show highlighting regional country music acts;
− The Beatles’ first American concert, at the Washington Coliseum in 1964;
− Duke Ellington’s early history as a journeymen musician in the 1920s, before the Harlem Renaissance;
− John Fahey’s time at American University working on “The Skip James Project”;
− The ascent of John Philip Sousa;
− The success of the underground cult-classic film “Heavy Metal Parking Lot.”
We’ll conclude by sharing our views on the past, present and future of D.C, and how music will impact the community in the coming years.
Location
Above the Bike Shop
2501 Champlain St. NW
Washington,
DC
Neighborhood: Adams Morgan
Access to this location requires climbing a flight of stairs.
Past event
Instructor
Neal Fersko grew up in suburban New York and has lived in the D.C. area since 2003. He has written on music for Spectrum Culture and Canonball.