Deep Ellum has a rich musical history that persists to this day. Blues and jazz, specifically, have a long history in this musical Dallas neighborhood, which acted as a gateway for many famous musicians.
Venues like the Gypsy Tea Room and the Texas Harlem Theater served as safe places for creative expression and artistry, especially for Black Dallasites.
The past
Deep Ellum became part of the national Harlem Renaissance movement in the early 20th century, as it was a hub for the city’s Black culture and music after the Civil War.
In the 1920s and 1930s, the neighborhood became more diverse, and was known for its nightlife and numerous clubs that helped craft the jazz and blues scene of Dallas. Many of these places could be found around the intersection of the Texas Central track and Elm Street.
Many clubs and establishments found themselves on the 200 block of Central Avenue many opened by other musicians and families in the community. Hotspots like The Gay Paree and the Gypsy Tea Room provided a place for musicians — like Blind Lemon Jefferson, Bessie Smith, Texas Bill Day, and Huddie “Lead Belly” Ledbetter — to get their start.
Many of these venues have since disappeared, due to the construction of the Central Expressway in the 1950s, but their historical impact remains the same.
The present
Deep Ellum still has influences of the past within its community. The area still has its share of live music venues and festivals celebrating the history of the neighborhood’s musical roots.
Deep Ellum Community Arts Fair is an annual event that features live music performances by musicians from all walks of life, including jazz and blues musicians. The festival takes place every year in the first week of April. Local acts including RC Williams, Cure for Paranoia and The Grays, and 40 Acre Mule have all performed at the festival previously. The festival also features a variety of vendors offering food, drinks, and arts and crafts. It is free and open to the public.
Music venues like The Freeman Cajun Cafe & Lounge also have bands who play nightly at the venue at 7 p.m. Many local acts play a variety of jazz styles and genres, from traditional New Orleans jazz to modern jazz fusion.
Last year, the neighborhood became a national historic landmark. Visitors can see music history recognized in areas like Blues Alley on Clover Street, which uses art to recognize North Texas musicians, including many blues greats like Blind Lemon and Ray Charles.
Deep Ellum is now home to many music venues, breweries, and stores in the area.
Photo cred via @jaimesasco
In recent years, more music venues have also popped up in Deep Ellum. With the emergence of The Bomb Factory, Club Dada, and The Green Room, locals can still see live music in the neighborhood.
The Deep Ellum Community Center also works to preserve and maintain the history of the neighborhood. The permanent exhibition, “When You Go Down in Deep Ellum,” curated by writer and folklorist Alan Govenar, features a listening room and an operational recording studio. The first of its kind in the nation.
