Key West’s musical soul is an outpost of humanity, in a sea of swirling, turbulent, incivility. Music permeates Key West right down to the coral rock. The Soul of Key West is a combination of its historical music core and the One Human Family juju that charms the spirit of Key West life. A melting pot of musical talent blends the harmony of the soul of Key West.  Key West is becoming a music destination much like Nashville or New Orleans. Our island is full of talent that migrated here from those much larger music cities. If Nashville is the “Music City” then Key West is most certainly the ‘Music Island’.

About the Presenter:

Ralph De Palma is a Key West based photo journalist that specializes in presenting the amazing Key West music scene. He is also the author of a series of books about the amazing music scene, the Soul of Key West, Volume I & II (and soon Volume III).

He has photographed music performances in Key West for well over a decade. His passion for Key West’s vibrant music scene led him to spend countless hours photographing and interviewing dozens of musicians. The photographs capture the rocking spirit of a tiny island filled with over fifty venues featuring live music, and the words roll out the stories, struggles, and triumphs of musicians who play for us night after night.

Funding for this program was sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional support from The Helmerich Trust, Aloys & Carol Metty and The John & Marilyn Rintamaki Family Charitable Fund.