Rhode Island, a state of the United States in the New England region, is known for a diverse and thriving music scene.

History

In 1733, the first organ said to be designed for church use, was installed at Trinity Church in Newport.

In the late 1990s, the state's music scene, which is centered around the capital city of Providence, became nationally known for the noise rock scene that revolved around the Fort Thunder artists' collective.

The state is home to a wide range of artists performing of a number of genres, most notably folk rock, jazz, hardcore punk, hip hop, and Cape Verdean music.

The state is known for the famous Newport Jazz and Newport Folk festivals.

State song

In 1996, Rhode Island declared "Rhode Island, It's for Me" as the official state song. The lyrics were written by Charlie Hall, the music was written by Maria Day, and the piece was arranged by Kathryn Chester. "Rhode Island, It's for Me" replaced "Rhode Island", which was subsequently named the official state march.

Other state-affiliated songs

"Rhode Island"

About

“Rhode Island", written by T. Clarke Browne, was the official state song for over 50 years, when it was replaced by "Rhode Island, It's For Me". It has since been renamed the official state march.

Lyrics

The following are the lyrics for the song "Rhode Island":

"Rhode Island Is Famous for You"

About

“Rhode Island Is Famous for You" was originally written by Howard Dietz and Arthur Schwartz in 1948, for Inside U.S.A., a 1940s Broadway show about the U.S. States. The number was performed by Estelle Loring, who was awarded a Theater World Award for the piece, and Jack Haley.

“Rhode Island Is Famous for You" also served as the theme song for Buddy Cianci's Radio Show, and was performed by Robert Goulet and Cianci himself at his 1995 mayoral inauguration.

Other music

Indigenous music

Portuguese music

Due to the large population of Portuguese immigrants in Southern New England, Portuguese traditional music is played in small communities. Usually Roman Catholic churches are the center of the communities activities, where music is played.

Fado, which has been compared with the Spanish flamenco, is a form of music characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics, often about the sea or the life of the poor, and infused with a characteristic sentiment of resignation, fatefulness, and melancholia (loosely captured by the word saudade, or "longing"). Fado performers play at local venues throughout Rhode Island and Southern Massachusetts.

The Azores is the major heritage of many Portuguese-Americans. In Rhode Island, most Portuguese traditional music is played by Azorean people. Azoreans maintain some distinct musical traditions, such as the traditionally fiddle-driven chamarrita dance. This dance and music is played mainly at weddings and Church festivals.

Azorean-Portuguese sensation Jorge Ferreira is a popular musician throughout New England, singing at many festivals and events.

Cape Verdean music

Of special importance is the music of the large Cape Verdean population. Although Cape Verdean music is largely unknown outside of the expatriate community, Rhode Island is the acknowledged center for Cape Verdean morna and other styles in the United States.

Music festivals

Newport Jazz Festival

The Newport Jazz Festival began in 1954 by George Wein and has been documented on recordings by Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, Muddy Waters, Nina Simone, Ray Charles, John Coltrane and Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. The 1958 festival was documented in the 1960 film Jazz on a Summer's Day. The festival moved to New York City in 1971. In 1985, the festival was revived in Newport as a JVC Jazz Festival.

Newport Folk Festival

The Newport Folk Festival began in 1959, co-founded by Jazz Festival founder George Wein. The festival is best known for the July 25, 1965 performance of Bob Dylan, where he performed for the first time with electric instruments. Like the Jazz Festival, the folk festival moved to New York City in 1971, but returned in 1986. Notable performers at the festivals included: Joan Baez, Phil Ochs, Bob Dylan, Buffalo Springfield, Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, Richie Havens, Bonnie Raitt, Alison Krauss, Ry Cooder, Little Feat, Janis Ian, Suzanne Vega, Violent Femmes, The String Cheese Incident, Indigo Girls, and The Pixies.

Newport Music Festival

The Newport Music Festival is a classical music festival that began in 1969 as a summer season of the Metropolitan Opera. The outdoor venue was not conducive to classical music performance, and instead the grand rooms of the stately Newport mansions were put to use for chamber music concerts. The early concerts used many members of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Mark P. Malkovich, III has been the general director for 31 of the 37 seasons. It has become known for giving young international artists, such as Inessa Galante, a venue for their American debut.

Sunset Music Festival

The Sunset Music Festival began in 1997 in Newport and has included performances by acts as varied as Saves the Day, Jason Mraz, Paula Cole, moe., Little Feat, Jack's Mannequin, Peter Frampton, Bo Bice, Bruce Hornsby, Guster, Something Corporate, Ben Folds (who has played at several festivals), Better Than Ezra, Cheap Trick, Gin Blossoms and Anna Nalick and also local artists like Becky Chace, Zox, and Monty Are I.

  • Amazing Royal Crowns
  • Angry Salad
  • AraabMuzik
  • Arab on Radar
  • Arc Iris
  • Atwater-Donnelly
  • Jon B.
  • Badfish
  • The Body
  • Dicky Barrett
  • Belly
  • Black Dice (re-located to New York City)
  • Blu Cantrell
  • The Brother Kite
  • Wendy Carlos
  • George M. Cohan
  • Combustible Edison
  • Bill Conti
  • The Cowsills
  • Darkside (re-located to New York City)
  • Daughters
  • The Dear Hunter
  • Deer Tick
  • Downtown Boys
  • Dropdead
  • Ronnie Earl
  • The Empire Shall Fall
  • Face Dancer
  • Fang Island
  • Foxtrot Zulu
  • Sage Francis
  • Paul Geremia
  • Billy Gilman
  • Bobby Hackett
  • Scott Hamilton
  • Kristin Hersh
  • Honeybunch
  • John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band
  • Les Savy Fav (re-located to New York City)
  • Lightning Bolt
  • The Low Anthem
  • Kilgore
  • M-80
  • Monty Are I
  • Neutral Nation
  • Jeffrey Osborne
  • The Others
  • Duke Robillard
  • Roomful of Blues
  • Rubber Rodeo
  • The Schemers
  • Six Finger Satellite
  • Carol Sloane
  • Someday Providence
  • Small Factory
  • Space Needle
  • Talking Heads (re-located to New York City)
  • Tavares
  • Throwing Muses
  • Velvet Crush
  • Verse
  • Vital Remains
  • What Cheer? Brigade
  • The White Mice
  • The Young Adults
  • ZOX

References

Bibliography

  • Roots Music in Rhode Island, Eastern Connecticut, and Southeastern Massachusetts
  • Rhode Island Philharmonic
  • The Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame