BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) – Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room has brought music lovers together since it opened in 2014, but the club is also a museum.
Southern Louisiana music is Henry Turner Jr.’s first and foremost influence. The venue opened in 2017 and focuses on Blues, R&B and other roots music.
“The museum covers my career with the Flavor Band and its various music genres, including Reggae, Blues and Funk,” Turner said. “Starting with my neighborhood band Back Yard Funk to Crystal Band that toured regionally. Of course, Flavor has toured nationally and internationally.”
The stage has been graced by artists including Smokehouse Porter and Miss Mamie, former “American Idol” contestant Mikey Duran and Louisiana singer-songwriter Larry “LZ” Dillon.
Spoken word and poetry performances are also welcome. One motivational speaker is ‘Nspire.
“We have spoken word artists regularly. Some of them are our Listening Room All-Stars,” Turner said.
The room was originally only open from 8 p.m. to midnight every Thursday but expanded into the weekend. Friday shows include touring acts from around the country and sometimes an undiscovered band. Saturday night has live acoustic performances by Turner and special guests. Tickets are $10 each.
When he’s not performing, he’s in his favorite spot at the corner of the bar. When he’s not working, you can find him at Teddy’s Juke Joint on Old Scenic Highway.
The listening room is open to all ages. Turner said he made it a point to not serve alcohol or allow smoking inside so families could come.
“It would be about the music and not so much the booze,” he said.
Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room Heritage Museum is located at 2733 North St. and is open from 8 p.m. to midnight Thursday, Friday and Saturday.