May Founder’s Letter

For many May is the month of NEW ADVENTURES and NEW BEGINNINGS. There are many high school, college and university graduations. This is the month for proms, engagements and marriages. To all experiencing these adventures and new beginnings we say CONGRATULATIONS and ENJOY LIFE’S RIDE.

SYMOR - START YOUR MONTH OFF RIGHT

Join us at Jefferson Street Sound Museum on Monday, May 5th, from 7pm-9pm for an OPEN MIC and ARTIST SHOWCASE featuring LADY CORDER CHAPMAN. Lady has served as MInister of Music in over twenty-five churches. She has traveled extensively with the Singing Corder Family, The Royal Gospel Singers, The James Dwight Group, The Novella Williams Aggregation and Bobby Jones and New Life.

GET READY TO LAUGH OUT LOUD with MIKE DREW, COMEDIAN EXTRAORDINAIRE.

This is a FREE EVENT!

SYMOR COMMUNITY. Calling all talented individuals: singers, musicians, comedians, spoken word and entertainers. This is YOUR TIME TO SHINE!

Join us on Saturday, May 10th, from 5pm - 6pm for the Jefferson Street Sound Museum Legacy Series Fireside Chat with THOMAS CAIN. Known by many as the Senior Director, Writer/Publisher Relations for BMI. Thomas Cain is first and foremost a great musician. He is a singer, publisher, producer and songwriter and has opened shows for artists such as Ray Charles, George Benson, Bill Withers, Ramsey Lewis, Donny Hathaway, Dave Brubeck Melba Moore and Johnny Mathis.

In 1999 he was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and in April of this year received the Jefferson Street Sound Museum Living Legends Award!

Step back in time and tour the Museum. Listen and learn about the artists that performed on Historic Jefferson Street from Jimi Hendrix, Etta James, James Brown, Little Richard, Peggy Gaines, Jimmy Church, Frank Howard Jackie Shane, Ike and Tina Turner and more.

For those of you celebrating your birthday this month, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Please come and tour the Museum as we continue to ensure that our history, our sound and our culture is visible and thriving.

Many Blessings,

Lorenzo Washington, JSSM Founder and Curator

Belmont Stories

Lorenzo Washington Recognized by Global Honors Program for Preserving Nashville's Musical Legacy

Cara Davis, Belmont Stories, Belmont University
Updated Sept. 19, 2024

Exit 207: The Soul of Nashville

"Exit 207: The Soul of Nashville” tells the story of Jefferson Street in North Nashville, a proud and resilient community that thrived during the Civil Rights Era, was deeply affected by the construction of Interstate 40 and is now fostering the future identity of Nashville’s Black community.

Become a Jefferson Street Ambassador!

A tour of the Jefferson Street Sound Museum will allow you to explore the BEST of the past!

“Our group thoroughly enjoyed visiting your establishment, we truly appreciate you guys allowing us to visit after hours. The stories that you and Lorenzo shared were truly inspiring. We certainly want to come visit you guys again.”

–Max Houston, group organizer from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, on a 9 day tour of civil rights sights in Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas and Tennessee.

The Museum welcomes students and visitors from all over the world.

Kings Academy 6th and 7th graders visited the Jefferson Street Sound Museum. A great group of students!

High school students from the Vanderbilt University Summer Camp tour the Jefferson Street Sound Museum.

Students were from all over the United States: Washington State, Ohio, Illinois, Tennessee, Indiana, Puerto Rico, Iowa, Wisconsin, Florida, and Washington D.C.

Students from the Trombone Shorty Foundation visit Lorenzo Washington and the Jefferson Street Sound Museum.

The Original Music Row.

  • Shows & Events

    Check out our upcoming shows, concerts and events.

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  • Rising Above

    Lorenzo Washington, founder and curator of JSSM writes about his life on Jefferson Street.

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Lorenzo Washington with Tom Adkinson author of 100 Things To Do In Nashville Before You Die. The Jefferson Street Sound Museum is included in the third edition being released in 2023.
Lorenzo Washington with the Grammy winning Wooten brothers, Victor, Regi, Lorenzo, Ron and Joseph( right to left)
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Lorenzo Washington Founder/Curator of the Jefferson Street Sound Museum is interviewed by Ron Hodges with American Dream about Historic Jefferson Street and the musical legacies created there in the 1940's - 1970's.
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Lorenzo Washington interviewed at Jefferson Street Sound Museum by Oscar Liu, Chicago TV Journalist that also works with international TV networks. The documentary will present African American communities in the United States and reflect on the his
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Lorenzo Washington and Karen Coffee at a gala supporting cancer patients and survivors
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Celebrating The Villlage and non-profits of color
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Contact Us

Museum Address:

2004 Jefferson Street

Nashville, TN 37208

Museum Hours:

Tuesdays - Thursdays: By appointment only

Saturdays: 11:00am - 4:00pm

Contact:

For all inquiries call 615-414-6675