The National Museum of African American Music Takes the Stage in Nashville
By: Melanie Radzicki McManus
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Nearly 20 years ago, in 2002, members of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce floated the idea of a national museum dedicated to African American music. After all, African Americans have had a strong influence on the nation’s music scene, and Nashville is known as Music City. After much research, changes in plans and a global pandemic, the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) finally opened its doors in early 2021.
The 56,000-square-foot (5,200-square-meter) museum sits in the heart of Nashville and features seven galleries showcasing various aspects of African American influence in the national music scene, including spirituals, blues, jazz, hip-hop and more. Their stories are told via interactive exhibits and a 1,600-item collection of artifacts, memorabilia, clothing and other pieces.
Plan to spend at least a couple of hours here, starting with a stop in the Roots Theater, where you can catch a short flick giving you an overview of the topic. Next, check out the Rivers of Rhythm Pathways, an animated timeline of American music history. Then, moving through the galleries in chronological order, Wade in the Water tackles the history and survival of religious music, beginning with the arrival of enslaved Africans in America. The Crossroads gallery delves into the blues, A Love Supreme looks at jazz, and One Nation Under a Groove explores rhythm and blues. Finally, The Message delves into the origins of hip-hop and rap.
Dr. Marquita Reed-Wright, NMAAM’s collections manager, archivist and gallery manager, says in a Zoom interview that visitors should come ready to have fun while learning all about African Americans’ musical innovation and creativity over the centuries. Just don’t expect to see a lot of iconic artifacts from famous artists. “We’re not trying to be a hall of fame,” she says. “We’re using artifacts to tell the whole story, not the story that fits the narrative.”
Here are four displays or experiences Reed-Wright says you shouldn’t miss.
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In the hip-hop MC booth, part of the Message Gallery, you can choose a song and rap along with it, or select a popular beat as a backing track and freestyle. “You can also do a rap battle against a friend,” Reed-Wright says. “It’s very popular.”
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The museum showcases one of the outrageous costumes of George Clinton, considered the godfather of funk, whose Parliament-Funkadelic Collective developed an influential and eclectic form of funk music that drew on science fiction and psychedelia in the 1970s.
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In this interactive exhibit, you stand in front of a green screen as Dr. Bobby Jones and The Nashville Super Choir appear. Then you then sing along with them, effectively becoming part of the choir. Your performance is recorded.
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A lot of people have never heard of the International Sweethearts of Rhythm, Reed-Wright says. But the all-female, interracial jazz band was a sensation in the 1930s and 1940s, performing across the nation and in Europe. “The trombone we have was donated by Helen Jones Woods, an original band member, and it’s just so beautiful,” she says, noting this exhibit highlights women in jazz as well.
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The museum is located in downtown Nashville, directly across the street from the world-famous Ryman Auditorium. If you plan to visit, check out the website for hours, directions and current COVID-19 guidelines for visiting.
When music legend Jimi Hendrix was just 8, he wrapped some rubber bands around a cigar box to create his own guitar. In doing so, he joined other prominent African American musicians who got their start playing a cigar-box instrument, including Blind Willie Johnson (guitar), Lightnin Hopkins (guitar), Charlie Christian (guitar) and George Benson (ukulele).
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