Many people have often said that music tells a unique story based on where it originated from. Remnants of past cultures, lives, and so much more can be discerned from songs of history. In the modern day, music has evolved into a much more complex, yet no less sophisticated, form. Certain cities from around the world are famous for their contributions to the musical industry, with one of the biggest cities being New York.
What Type of Music Originated Out of New York City?
New York City is the home to music from a number of cultures around the world, but the city is most famous from bringing popular genres such as Jazz, Rock'n'roll, R&B, Urban Blues, and more to light. Turning back the clock all the way to when New York City was nothing more than a colony, the English influence over the colony is where its musical history truly began.
Ballad operas and theatre performances were among the more popular forms of music at the time, resulting in the construction of multiple opera houses and theatres in the cities earliest days, including Broadway. Jumping over a century ahead to the 20th century, the Harlem Renaissance was a driver for an increase in popularity of African American music. Both the Blues and Jazz started to take hold at this point, sparking the creation of soft jazz bars and blues lounges for a more casual listening experience.
The rise of Rock'n'roll took over the streets of New York City in the 50s and 60s, with concert style venues increasing in popularity. As time continued into the 70s, Hip-Hop took roots for a number of years only to be overshadowed by more modern forms of music. Nowadays, New York City retains all of the above forms of music in one location, making it the perfect mixing pot of musical culture for any travelers.
The History of Broadway
Broadway itself is so immense that it deserves its own discussion. While theatre performances don't always include music in its purest form, some of the best sounds have originated from the various theatres of Broadway. The theatre presence in New York City was established in the late 1700s, but most theatres we know and love today didn't move to the theatre district until the later 1800s.
From that time, Broadway grew until it encompassed over 40 theaters, each of which containing 500 or more seats for patrons. To this day, iconic shows such as Hamilton, The Phantom of the Opera, Lion King, The Book of Mormon, and so many more have made a name for themselves on the various stages that make up Broadway.
Top Musical Landmarks to Visit in New York
There are a large number of attractions in New York City for music lovers that go beyond the basics such as the Statue of Liberty or Brooklyn Bridge. When planning a musical vacation, the following five venues are absolute must-see attractions for all types of music lovers:
1. Carnegie Hall
First opening its doors in 1891, Carnegie Hall is one of the oldest attractions you can visit in New York City. Located on the corner of 57th Street and Seventh Ave, the Hall itself is made up of three venues: Stern Auditorium, Weill Recital Hall, and Zankel Hall.
Hosting some of the world's finest artists over the years, such as The Beatles, Billie Holiday, Benny Goodman, and more, this Hall was once slated for demolition, only to be saved and renovated. It now stands stronger than ever for visitors who want to see a piece of musical history.
2. Radio City Music Hall
Completed in 1931, Radio City Music Hall was created as a part of the construction of Rockefeller Center. Designed to be a haven for those seeking high-quality entertainment at an affordable price, this music hall quickly skyrocketed in popularity. Over 300 million people have visited the site, and it has since been the home of iconic movies and performers alike.
3. The Apollo Theater
Known as the Soul of American Culture, the Apollo Theater is located at 253 West 125th Street in Harlem, specifically in Upper Manhattan. It opened its doors back in 1914 and has played a huge role in increasing the popularity of genres such as Jazz, Swing, Blues, Soul, Gospel, and so much more. With a capacity of over 1,500 patrons at a given time, this theater stands as a historic monument to African American music in particular.
4. The Palladium
The Palladium Times Square has a rich history starting as a movie theater in the early 1970s. However, it has since reopened under multiple new names over the years before finally becoming The Palladium Times Square in the 2000s. With a large standing room orchestra section and two private mezzanines, this theater has been retrofitted as a live music venue and nightclub, making it popular for more modern music of the day.
5. Kings Theatre
Finally, all music lovers in New York City need to take a trip to Kings Theatre during their travels. Featuring French Renaissance architecture originally inspired by the Palace of Versailles in France, this venue has been home to iconic performances. Located in Brooklyn away from much of the hustle and bustle of other theatres, patrons can enjoy their time without feeling surrounded by tourists. It seats over 3,000 patrons, making it one of the largest theatres in New York City as well. Still putting on shows today, all visitors can enjoy transporting themselves to the past through both the music and architecture.
Create a music vacation today
Anybody who is a musical buff and who is looking for their next vacation destination should consider New York City without a second thought. This city can be made to fit any budget, meaning you can go purely as a sightseer or you can catch a potential show on Broadway if you're interested. Don't overlook this unique vacation opportunity to learn more about the musical industry and its roots.
* This is a contributed article and this content does not necessarily represent the views of musictimes.com
