In 1948, Jerry Wexler, a music journalist for Billboard magazine, coined the term "rhythm and blues."

This video features Mark Puryear, curator of the 2011 Folklife Festival program Rhythm and Blues: Tell It Like It Is.

Jerry “Swamp Dogg” Williams will be performing every day on the National Mall on June 30th to July 4th.

In partnership with the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Festival features a special rhythm and blues (R&B) program that brings live music to our nation's front lawn

Olivia Cadaval, co-curator of the México program, introduces the music participants.

Mariachi Tradicional Los Tios from El Manguito, a remote community in the Sierra Madre Occidental Mountains of Jalisco, perform in a distinctive regional style that has flourished for more than 150 years.

Los Cardencheros de Sapioriz from the Comarca Lagunera region of Mexico perform their song "Hasta pronto mis queridos amigos" (Farewell My Dear Friends) in their passionate a capella style.

Blending the traditional Comcaac language, Seri, with the modernity of rock and roll, the Mexican band Hamac Caziim engages the crowd at the 2010 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

Two high ranking officials of the Republic of the Fiji Islands' Embassy in Washington, D.C. perform as the ensemble, Fiji Vesi Tagitagi.

Taiko drums are large traditional Japanese drums. Nen Daiko, a taiko drum ensemble based in Fairfax, Virginia, performs an interpretation of an ancient Japanese tale.