History
Named for the legendary jazz trumpeter and East Austinite, Kenny Dorham's Backyard is an outdoor music venue located in the heart of the historic East End cultural district, just down the street from Kenny Dorham's last home in Austin. Home to the Austin Jazz and Arts Fest, East End Summer Music Series, SoulFest, and the Backyard Blues Series. The bulk of the live music programming honors the traditional African American music community - jazz, blues, rhythm and blues and gospel - once anchored along East 11th Street in classic venues such as the Victory Grill and Charlie's Playhouse. In addition to music, the venue also features an organic community garden and East Austin's most eclectic group of ethnic food trailers.