African-Americans

Celebrating Cultural Legacies

You can’t discuss Austin’s culture without discussing its music scene. The capital city is, after all, well-known for its something-for-everyone musical atmosphere, which has evolved from a crossroads of cultures for more than 80 years. And the African-American influence has been there from the start.

In the 1920s, performers such as Duke Ellington and Count Basie visited the city's jazz joints. By the 1960s, Austin’s blues scene emerged from R&B houses like the Johnny Holmes' Victory Grill, once part of a network of Southern venues where black musicians performed.

As the city continued to expand, so did its music scene. The area along East 11th Street became known as the East End Cultural Heritage District and currently plays host to East End Fourth Fridays and the East End Summertime Concert Series. The concerts celebrate the area's heritage with rhythm and blues, jazz, and gospel music, and span from April through October.

In September, the multi-day Austin Jazz and Arts Festival takes center stage, showcasing nationally and internationally acclaimed musicians and artists at the popular venue, Kenny Dorham's Backyard. In addition, the Pro Arts Collective presents a year-round schedule of performances that celebrate African-American artistic influence in the community.

Of course, music is just one part of Austin's cultural scene. For more on Austin's diverse culture, check out www.austintexassoul.org. In partnership with griotmedia, the Austin CVB recently developed this new interactive portal that is a one-stop destination highlighting the best of the African-American experience, culture, music, food and community in Austin.