5 Groovy Vacations for Music Lovers

Listen to live music at venues like the historic Chris’ Jazz Cafe, the city’s longest operating jazz club, where hometown she-roes Billie Holiday and Ethel Waters once performed and the upscale jazz club and restaurant South Jazz Kitchen. In the summertime, music fans flock to the concert series at the Dell Music Center and the annual Roots Picnic at the Mann Center.

On Philadelphia’s Walk of Fame along Broad Street’s Avenue of the Arts, check out over 150 bronze commemorative plaques that honor native sons and daughters including Boyz II Men, Frankie Beverly, Sister Sledge, and Tammi Terrell.

View towering mural tributes to some of the city’s music greats including divas Patti LaBelle, Marian Anderson, and Jill Scott, whose crowned mural is featured at her alma mater Girls’ High.

Speaking of Jilly from Philly, during your getaway you might opt for the sun-drenched “Like It’s Golden” guest room at the Black-owned Akwaaba Philadelphia Bed & Breakfast Inn, where the rooms reflect the city’s love affair with music. Luxe choices also include the flirty and feather-accented “Itchy Gitchy Ya Ya” room inspired by Patti and the velvety "Swoon” suite inspired by silky soul crooners like Teddy P.

Where to Stay: Cambria Hotel Philadelphia Downtown Center City (budget); Kimpton Hotel Palomar (moderate); The Four Seasons (splurge)

Chicago

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Chicago has produced some of Black music’s best and brightest music stars, including Chaka Khan, Sam Cooke, Mavis Staples, Earth, Wind & Fire, Common, Donny Hathaway and Jennifer Hudson.

In the historic Bronzeville neighborhood – hailed as the city’s “Black metropolis” – you’ll find a mural that pays tribute to several African American icons, including Mahalia Jackson, Duke Ellington and Dinah Washington. Although Washington was born in Alabama, she spent her formative years in Chi-town, and her brassy vocals have inspired generations of jazz singers like Chicagoan Dee Alexander. In her honor, a Bronzeville street is named “Dinah Washington Way.”

Also on the South Side, the “Wonders of Woodlawn” painted steel sculpture references many of the community’s esteemed former residents, including Washington, Sun Ra, Cab Calloway, and Minnie Riperton. A mural entitled “Woodlawn Heroes” also spotlights the five-octave-range-blessed Riperton, who began her career as a backup singer at Chess Records for Etta James and Muddy Waters.

Reserve your spot and tour the legendary Chess Records studio, and plan your visit to coincide with the free Record Row concert series. To hear live blues year-round, check out Blue Chicago and Buddy Guy’s Legends.

Where to Stay: Freehand Chicago Hotel Downtown (budget); Sophy Hyde Park (moderate); The St. Regis Chicago (splurge)

Kingston, Jamaica

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Lively up yourself at the Bob Marley Museum, set in the former Kingston home of the reggae legend. Take a guided tour of this Jamaican Heritage Site, where Marley lived until his death in 1981. The tranquil home was transformed into a museum by Bob’s wife Rita and includes memorabilia, awards and photographs, Bob’s personal recording studio, a gift shop, and a theater showcasing Marley’s iconic live performances. After the tour, grab a tasty wrap sandwich and fresh juice at the One Love Café.

Another don’t miss stop is Trench Town Culture Yard – the seven-block plus area where reggae music is rooted. Marley grew up in Trench Town and it ignited his early creative spark (“I remember, when we used to sit in the government yard in Trench Town,” - “No Woman, No Cry”). The Culture Yard is a historical site and museum run by residents of this humble North Kingston district, that boasts a bright mural, a Bob Marley statue, and displays of instruments used by Marley, and members of the Wailers band, including Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh. You can also visit Marley’s mother’s home.

Where to Stay: Shirley Retreat Hotel (budget); S Hotel Kingston (moderate); Jamaica Inn (splurge), about an hour drive from Kingston in Ocho Rios

Memphis

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If Beale Street could talk, it would tell you to come to Memphis, the city that gave birth to blues, soul and rock ‘n’ roll.

Walk the nearly two-mile, downtown strip of bars, restaurants and nightclubs, and take a gander at the music greats who graced Beale Street on the Brass Notes Walk of Fame (B.B. King, Al Green, and Aretha Franklin are among the recognized artists).

Because Detroit has claimed her, you might forget that “ReRe” was from Memphis. Diehard “Queen of Soul” fans can stop by her childhood home in South Memphis, which was purchased by a local sister and saved from destruction.

Although Elvis’ Graceland is a draw for many, Memphis is also where Stax Records cranked out shake a tailfeather hits by its stellar roster of soul artists, including Carla Thomas, Otis Redding, Jean Knight, The Staples Singers, and Isaac Hayes.

Immerse yourself in the history of the legendary label at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, where thousands of artifacts, including

Hayes’ custom Cadillac Eldorado are on display. To continue your Memphis music lesson, visit the Smithsonian-affiliate Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum.

Where to Stay: Caption by Hyatt (budget); Central Station Hotel (moderate); The James Lee House (splurge)

Is there a city or neighborhood or venue that you associate with good music and great memories? Share your thoughts in the comments below.