When Houston Had the Blues Traces the Bayou City's Forgotten Musical Legacy

When Houston Had the Blues Documentary:Photo byUrban Scene

Houston’s early and indelible mark on American music and the blues—often overlooked despite its rich history—is celebrated in the soulful, feature-length documentary, When Houston Had the Blues. You can watch the film on 'video-on-demand' on major platforms, including iTunes, Apple TV, and Tubi.

The backstory recalls how many cities in the United States are historically known for their vibrant jazz and blues scenes, and iconic metropolitan areas such as New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles quickly come to mind. And don't forget Mississippi, Tennessee, and Alabama.

These northern, down south, and eastern cities have long celebrated their rich musical heritage rooted in the experiences of African Americans during the Great Migration from the southern to northern regions of the country in the 20th century. These cultural movements not only shaped the cities themselves but also left an enduring impact on the soundscape of American music.

For example, cities like New Orleans, Memphis, and Kansas City boast rich histories and have played crucial roles in influencing American popular music. Often overlooked in these discussions is Houston, the Bayou City. But no more. A relatively unknown director named Alan Swyer created a superb historical documentary called "When Houston Had the Blues" released on September 24.

Houston, a city with a distinctive essence and palate not commonly found in other American cities, including those in Texas, boasts a diverse blues scene that has flourished over time. From raw and authentic "gut bucket" performances to refined and intricate shows, Houston's blues landscape is a fusion of musical genres such as salsa, Tejano, cajun, zydeco (formerly referred to as la-la), jazz, country, and later, rock 'n' roll.

Houston, Known As the Bayou City is Celebrated For its Blues & Jazz Cultural History in a Documentary "When Houston Had The Blues"Photo byHouston.org

Compelling Arguments

The new documentary offers a compelling argument for including the Bayou City in the cultural dialogue among the greatest blues scenes in America. Available on video-on-demand beginning September 24, the documentary sheds light on Houston's significant contribution to the music scene and prompts a reevaluation of its cultural significance.

Showcasing a blend of personal reflections from artists and historical images, emphasizing the significant impact Houston has had on the blues scene. Among the notable musical figures linked to the city are Lightnin' Hopkins, Big Mama Thornton, Albert Collins, Illinois Jacquet, Clarence 'Gatemouth' Brown, and Clifton Chenier, who have made noteworthy contributions to the music scene.

Throughout Houston, dedicated fans of blues, R&B, and jazz had several options to enjoy live music in areas such as Fifth Ward, Third Ward, Sunnyside, and even in the northern parts of Houston.

Here are the names of several popular places attended by fans:

• Popular venues included the Palladium Ballroom, Eldorado Ballroom, Continental Zydeco Ballroom, Ebony Club, and Shady's Playhouse.
• Don Robey made history in Houston as the first black man in the U.S. to own an independent record label, Duke-Peacock Records, a decade before Berry Gordy founded Motown in 1959.

World-Renowned Musical Entertainers Hired Local Talent in Houston

Houston has long been recognized as a hub of musical talent, attracting renowned musicians such as James Brown, Ray Charles, and B.B. King, who frequently hired local players. Among these talents was saxophonist Grady Gaines, notable for his role in music and cinema history. Gaines showcased his skills in the 1956 film "Don't Knock the Rock" by performing atop Little Richard's piano.

Recollecting the Houston Music Scene

The documentary creates a dynamic atmosphere reflected upon by a diverse range of musicians, who share their reminiscences:

• ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons,
• C.J. Chenier (Clifton's son),
• Marcia Ball,
• Augie Meyers (of the Texas Tornados),
• Guitar Shorty, Jewel Brown, Billy Vera, Trudy Lynn, Diunna Greenleaf, and Milton Hopkins among others, as well as such longtime observers as;
• Roger Wood (author of "Down in Houston: Bayou City Blues" and "Texas Zydeco"),
• KPFT-FM host Nuri Nuri and Houston-born music industry
• executive/producer Bill Bentley. The portrayal emerges of Houston as a pivotal point on the Gulf Coast, where diverse musical traditions such as jazz, blues, country, and zydeco converged to create a distinctive and rich cultural tapestry.

Watch Brief Video Here: When Houston Had The Blues (OFFICIAL TRAILER) - YouTube

As highlighted in the documentary, Houston faced significant challenges due to the confluence of the decline of segregation and more appealing opportunities for its musical talents in Europe and the West Coast which resulted in respected musicians like Joe Sample, the founder of Crusaders, and renowned jazz flutist Hubert Laws, relocating from the city.

Adding to the gaps in the industry was the closure of the Duke-Peacock label in 1973 previously owned by millionaire Don Robey marked a definitive shift in the music scene as the vibrant creative environment in neighborhoods like Third Ward and Fifth Ward gradually lost its vibrancy.

Gatemouth Brown Became the First Artist for Don Robey's Peacock Records in HoustonPhoto byAmazon

It's worth noting that this movement was not exclusive to Black musicians; white rock musicians across Texas, including Boz Scaggs, Steve Miller, Janis Joplin, and the Winter brothers, Edgar and Johnny, also chose to pursue greater opportunities outside the state. Consequently, this mass exodus of musicians significantly altered the cultural landscape, leaving a void in the once-thriving music community of Houston.

A city known for prioritizing progress over preserving its history, according to Houston Chronicle reporter Cary Darling is that Houston doesn't seem very sentimental about its heritage, unlike its Gulf Coast counterpart, New Orleans.

Texas in general hasn't done much to highlight its musical history., according to reporter Darling. While cities like Kansas City, New Orleans, and Memphis have dedicated museums to jazz and music, there isn't a well-funded museum in Texas that tells the complete story of its musical heritage. Although Austin has a Texas Music Museum, it can only display 10% of its collection due to limited space.

For those seeking to delve into the origins of Houston's phenomenal blues and jazz scene "When Houston Had the Blues" serves as a compelling introduction, offering a glimpse into its beginnings. I give it four out of five stars.

Arts & Entertainment journalist, historical researcher & news media reporter Clarence Walker can be reached at newsjournalist360@gmail.com