Juke Joints
According to WikiPedia a Juke Joint (also jukejoint, jook house, jook, or juke) is an informal establishment featuring music, dancing, gambling, and drinking, primarily operated by African Americans in the southeastern United States. A juke joint may also be called a "barrelhouse". The Jook was the first secular cultural arena to emerge among African-American freedmen.
While local musicians played all types of music in juke joints the Blues was the stock-in-trade of many.
Juke Joint is an African-American vernacular term.
The word juke comes from the Southern United States Creole known as Gullah — in which juke or joog means "wicked" or "disorderly." Others believe "juke" comes from juice, or to "dance or change directions demonstrating agility", and is also derived from the word "jukebox".
History
The origins of juke joints were most likely the 'community rooms' set up on many Southern plantations as 'hangouts' for slaves who weren't able to leave the premises to socialize elsewhere.
Similar spaces were often provided at places like work camps including lumber, levee and turpentine camps. They were a way for the 'bosses' to keep an eye on workers and keep them pacified.
The stereotype juke joint would be a shack at a rural intersection with no electricity or running water. They became commonplace between the World Wars and, while few remain today, they do still exist.
These clubs were a necessity in less populated locations where they provided drinking, gambling and socializing for working class people.
After emancipation, gathering places were still needed. As the plantation system broke down small time entrepreneurs stepped in and filled the need. In the span between the World Wars juke joints provided a place for people like Tommy Johnson, Son House, Robert Johnson and many others to sharpen the focus off Blues and grow it into a vibrant cultural icon.
The Blue Front Café opened in 1948 under the ownership of Carey and Mary Holmes. In its heyday the Blue Front was famed for its buffalo fish, blues, and moonshine whiskey. One of the couple’s sons, Jimmy Holmes, took over the café in 1970 and continued to operate it as an informal, down-home blues venue.
Nehemiah “Skip” James was Bentonia’s most renowned blues singer. He played guitar and piano at the Blue Front during one of his periodic stays in Bentonia (1948-53). Bentonia guitarist Jack Owens was part of the filming of a 1995 commercial for Levi’s ‘501 Blues shot at the Blue Front.
Junior's Juke Joint, located in a cotton field outside Chulahoma Mississippi, became world-renowned thanks to visits from the likes of Iggy Pop and members of the Stones, U2, and others. Mr. Kimbrough passed on in 1998 and his juke joint burned to the ground in 2000.
Juke Joints and Blues-bars with blues music with roots in the past
Blind Willie’s
Blind Willie’s is named after Georgia-native Blind Willie McTell (there’s an annual blues festival in his honor in nearby Thomson, Georgia). It is located in the vibrant neighborhood Virginia-Highland, a few minutes outside of downtown Atlanta.
Live music seven nights a week with many local acts and the occasional touring band.
828 North Highland Avenue NE, Atlanta, Georgia.
Red’s Lounge and Ground Zero Blues Club
Experience at Red’s Lounge the closest thing you’ll find to an original juke joint.
Award-winning actor and part-time Mississippi resident Morgan Freeman co-owns the Ground Zero Blues Club, with great food, a full bar and nightly blues.
Red's Lounge (Mr. Red Paden passed away Dec 2023, but Red’s is still open), 398 Sunflower Avenue, Clarksdale.
Ground Zero Blues Club, 387 Delta Ave., Clarksdale, Mississippi.
Slippery Noodle Inn
The oldest pub in Indiana, the Slippery Noodle Inn in Indianapolis, was founded in 1850 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s housed a bordello, a stop on the Underground Railroad, a slaughterhouse, a brewery and distillery.
Now, the Slippery Noodle is a downtown Indianapolis hotspot to hear blues music. Enjoy live music nightly; it’s open microphone night on Wednesday.
Slippery Noodle Inn, 372 South Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Indiana.
Teddy’s Juke Joint
Most nights, the bar’s namesake, Lloyd “Teddy” Johnson, spins soul and blues tunes while his wife serves Southern food like giant turkey wings and red beans and rice. On nights with live music, listen to local artists or an occasional touring act.
Zachary, 16999 Old Scenic Highway, Zachary, Louisiana
Bradfordville Blues Club
On Friday and Saturday nights lighted up with live music in an authentic juke-joint atmosphere – a concrete-block house off a dirt road, surrounded by live oaks dripping with Spanish moss. Each table was topped with an autographed painting of previous performers, including Bobby Rush, Percy Sledge, Big Jack Johnson and Eddie Kirkland. In the Florida Panhandle, the club was on the historic Chitlin’ Circuit, a collection of entertainment venues that catered exclusively to African-Americans during the first half of the 20th century.
Bradfordville Blues Club,7152 Moses Ln, Tallahassee, FL, United States, Florida (old address.
BBC (Bradville Blues Club) at the Legion
A group of about 10 people who call themselves Mac Daddy Blues Production are fighting to keep the iconic venue open by bringing its magic to a new location. The American Legion Sauls-Bridges Post 13 at 229 Lake Ella Drive now hosts the Bradfordville Blues Club performances.
BBC at the Legion (the temporary home of BBC), The American Legion Hall, Lake Ella Drive, Tallahassee, Florida.
Mr. Handy's Blues Hall
It's the excellent music that keeps people returning to this tiny, soulful club. There's live music seven nights a week. Seating is limited, but there's plenty of standing room. Locals consider this the last authentic "juke joint" on the overly commercialized Beale Street.
Mr. Handy's Blues Hall, Memphis, Tennessee.