Music scene · Hot Springs

Once a notorious spa town where Al Capone relaxed, Hot Springs still carries jazz and blues in its bones. The Ohio Club, Arkansas' oldest bar, has hosted live music since 1905. The Spa City Blues Society and Hot Springs JazzFest keep the traditions burning, while the Big Steam Blues and Roots Festival draws national talent. From the historic bathhouse district to the Big Chill, roots and rock echo the city's colorful past.

Hot Springs developed a musical identity during its heyday as a spa destination. The Ohio Club, opened in 1905, hosted Al Jolson in 1915 and Mae West in the 1930s. African American entertainers performed at the Woodmen of the Union Building, where Duke Ellington and Bessie Smith appeared. Smith was inspired to write 'The Hot Springs Blues' after visiting.

The Ohio Club presents live music seven nights a week in its historic upstairs room. The Big Chill offers cozy bar performances and open mic jams. Vapors Live provides a stage for local and touring acts. The Arlington Resort hosts the Stardust Big Band for monthly dances in its Crystal Ballroom.

Hot Springs has been home to jazz pianist Clyde Pound, bluesman Larry Womack, and singer Lightnin' Lee Langdon. The city also attracted Al Jolson and Babe Ruth, who frequented the Ohio Club.

The Big Chill hosts an Open Mic Jam welcoming new players to sit in. The Spa City Blues Society and Hot Springs Jazz Society present free concerts and educational programs. KUHS community radio provides a platform for local musicians, and the annual JazzFest over Labor Day weekend offers networking.