Steam Sound System

Rivers have always played an important role in the movement and mixing of musical styles, cultures and technologies. The Ohio river in particular saw a flourishing of musical culture throughout historic steamship era(1800's-early 1900's), with musicians innovating and performing the emerging rhythmic dance genres of Ragtime, Jazz, Swing, etc for audiences on the steam powered ships which traveled to and from American cities such as Louisville, New Orleans, Pittsburg, St. Louis, etc.  Spread to ears and dancefloors far and wide via the expansive river systems, these musics formed the model for the first true American "Pop" musics. A template which has created(in our humble opinion) some of the best music ever to be musicked, by exploring two important creative tools...rhythm and experimentation! It's these tools that are at the heart of the Steam Sound System.

If you find yourself on the Belle of Louisville or the Mary M Miller Steamboats in Louisville, KY, give it a try yourself.

If you're interested in learning more about the history of American rivers, steam boats and music then check out the Belle of Louisville's youtube.