Rhythm & Roots

Rhythm & Roots, Southern Music Traditions is the first SAF exhibit to feature music and musicians from the South. Utilizing text panels, artifacts, fieldwork, photographs, and sound recordings, the exhibit provides context for music traditions and their relationship to community. The exhibit features an audio component that allows museum visitors to experience the voices and music of Southern music traditions.

While the South has a rich tradition of deeply rooted music forms-Appalachian, Blues, Bluegrass, Cajun, Country and Gospel among them.  The region is also home to numerous transplanted music traditions. Music from Asian, Caribbean, Latino and Native American communities is constantly evolving and flourishing in new environments.