Blues@Logan presents: Jefferson St. Blues: Exit 207 with Young Rell
Sunday, April 27, 2025 – 2 pm
Logan Center Performance Penthouse (901)
FREE / $10 suggested Donation – RSVP Encouraged
Blues@Logan invites you to join us for a film, music and discussion featuring the short film “Exit 207: The Soul of Nashville” and performance by Blues artist – Young Rell.
The Jefferson Street community in North Nashville thrived during the Civil Rights Era and was all but destroyed by the construction of Interstate 40. The film underscores how infrastructure projects like these were weaponized, across the United States to destroy thriving Black arts and business districts and communities.
The film features The Jefferson Street Sound Museum, and its founder and curator 85-year-old Lorenzo Washington, a businessman and music impresario who was present during the heyday and demise of the historical Jefferson St. music scene. In the 1940s–1960s, the street’s entertainment venues were a center for Rock and Roll as well as Rhythm and Blues and Jazz. Artists including Jimi Hendrix, Etta James, Ray Charles, Little Richard and Otis Redding played in venues such as the Del Morocco, the New Era Club, Maceo’s, Club Baron and Club Stealaway.
“Preserving our community’s stories and inspiring the next generation of artists is my life’s calling.” Says Washington.
The post-screening panel will include:
-Harrell ‘Young Rell’ Davenport, Blues musician
-Jennifer Duck, Emmy award winning journalist and the film’s faculty advisor
-Chase Thompson, Exit 207 Director and Cinematographer
-Lorenzo Washington, Founder and Curator, The Jefferson Street Sound Museum
-Matthew Skoller, Blues@Logan Curator, musician, and panel moderator
Presented by Blues@Logan with the support of the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation.
Also check out other Entertainment events in Chicago, Music events in Chicago, Arts events in Chicago.
