Bands & Musicians in Missouri

Missouri bookends American roots music: Scott Joplin wrote ragtime in Sedalia, St. Louis produced Chuck Berry and a blues tradition of its own, and Kansas City jazz gave the world Charlie Parker and Count Basie's swing. Branson later built a country entertainment industry in the Ozarks, while St. Louis hip-hop broke nationally through Nelly.

In St. Louis, the Pageant and the Delmar Loop anchor touring shows, and Blueberry Hill's Duck Room hosted Chuck Berry's long monthly residency. Kansas City counters with Knuckleheads for roots and blues and the Midland downtown. Columbia's Blue Note serves the college crowd, and Springfield's Gillioz Theatre covers the Ozarks.

Chuck Berry built rock and roll in St. Louis, Charlie Parker grew up in Kansas City, and Sheryl Crow came from Kennett. Nelly and Tech N9ne took Missouri hip-hop national from St. Louis and Kansas City respectively, while Angel Olsen emerged from St. Louis's indie scene.

St. Louis's Delmar Loop and South City bars and Kansas City's Crossroads district hold the thickest gig calendars, with open mics running weeknights. Columbia, home of Mizzou, supports a busy student-driven circuit, and Springfield covers southern Missouri. Find bandmates in your corner of the state on BandMate.