Club Baron

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A Jefferson St club, active from the mid-50s through the mid-60s. It later became Elks Lodge #1102 in 1968. The building suffered structural damage related to the 2020 tornado.

Located at 2614 Jefferson Street, during the 1960s it was owned by Joel Vradenburg, who also owned the Sandpiper, and would later own most of the clubs in Printers Alley.

Notable performers include BB King, Muddy Waters, Ray Charles, Little Richard, Fats Domino and Etta James.

Nashville blues and rock lovers alike have long told the story of a fabled blues-guitar showdown between Hendrix and Jones at Club Baron in the '60s. Jones earned enough applause to be acknowledged as the winner, but he told The Tennessean in 2003 that he felt Hendrix had outplayed him. Still, Jones also acknowledged his influence on Hendrix. "For two years, (Hendrix) was under my wing. I had what he had to have. I had that lowdown smell of Mississippi in mine," Jones said of his own guitar style.


Marion James hosted her annual Musicians Reunion Benefit at Club Baron, starting in the 1980s, for more than 30 years until her death. Funds raised went toward the Marion James Musicians Aid Society that provided funds to aging musicians with medical or other needs.