Students Experience Music Culture During Pat Patrick Jazz Trip

Students embarked on a three day trip throughout the south to learn about the style, context, history, artists and influence of the blues and jazz movement. 

 

The first stop was in Memphis where students visited the Blues Hall of Fame, legendary recording sites including as Stax and Sun, and performed at the renown B.B. King's Blues Club. There was also a generous helping of BBQ to top off the day. 

 

The second stop took the students down into the Mississippi Delta to study greats John Hooker, Muddy Waters, Howling Wolf and more. Seeing this area of the country was critical in understanding the geography, demographics and economic circumstances that helped develop the blues style. Clarksdale offered the Delta Blues Museum, the Cross-Roads where famous guitarist Robert Johnson reportedly sold his soul to the devil for talent, as well as several "juke joints" to see authentic Delta Blues. The students spent the night at the Shack Up Inn, an authentic replication of the old Delta Shacks where many of these musicians would have lived and played. 

 

The last leg of the trip took students into Indianola, Mississippi, home of the King of the Blues, B.B. King. Students visited his world class museum and burial site to learn more about his influence and impact on music. 

 

The Pat Patrick Blues Trip offers such a rich education, not only in the form of museums, performances and education of legendary blues artists, but also in viewing and absorbing the cultural climate that produced this uniquely American music.

To learn more about MBA's music program, please click here.