Mexico City’s Son Rompe Pera began performing at local events alongside their father when they were kids, accompanying him on the traditional Mexican marimba. Today, they are at the forefront of the contemporary international cumbia scene, as they take what they learned in their youth to new heights and push the marimba to its limits. … Continued
“…her right thumb plunks the bass part while her forefinger upstrokes notes and chords, leaving the other three fingers unused. A banjo technique, it’s also used by acoustic blues guitarists. Her fingers are long and strong – Robert Johnson hands – in jarring contrast to the waif they’re attached to. The walking bass line sounds … Continued
Since his earliest infatuations with guitar, Buffalo Nichols has asked himself the same question: How can I bring the blues of the past into the future? After cutting his teeth between a Baptist church and bars in Milwaukee, it was a globetrotting trip through West Africa and Europe during a creative down period that began … Continued
The new all-star roots project Mighty Poplar brings together some of the finest players of this generation, including Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse, Noam Pikelny and Chris Eldridge of Punch Brothers, and bassist Greg Garrison (Leftover Salmon). Harnessing the fierce and playful energy of an all-night jam between old friends who just happen to be grandmasters … Continued
Allison Russell, musician, poet, singer, songwriter, and activist (and co-founder of Our Native Daughters and Birds of Chicago) is an extraordinary artist of power, empathy, and grace. Outside Child, the Montreal native’s acclaimed debut solo LP, hailed around the world as one of 2021’s best and most essential new albums, is a heartbreaking reflection and … Continued
With six studio albums and almost 20 years under their belt, The Devil Makes Three (TDM3) breathes a slightly punk perspective into vintage American blues. Laced with elements of ragtime, country, folk, and rockabilly, the critically praised drummer-less trio brings forth a genuine approach to acoustic music that is deeply steeped in rhythm. Over the … Continued
Co-founder of the GRAMMY award-winning string band Carolina Chocolate Drops and a MacArthur grant winner among other accolades, the singer/banjo player/fiddler Rhiannon Giddens masterfully blends American musical genres such as gospel, jazz, blues, and country, showcasing her extraordinary emotional range and dazzling vocal prowess. Giddens also won a 2023 Pulitzer Prize for “Omar,” an innovative … Continued
One of the finest, in-demand rock ‘n’ roll ensembles working today, Lukas Nelson & POTR are bringing their powerful, joyous live show to FreshGrass 2023, promising well-known POTR hits alongside new favorites, with a recent review proclaiming “[their] set was nothing short of inspired.” Lukas Nelson & POTR (bassist Corey McCormick, drummer Anthony LoGerfo, percussionist … Continued
With a celebrated discography including 2005’s gold-selling Warrior’s Code and the near double-platinum classic “I’m Shipping Up To Boston,” these underdogs turned champions have quietly moved 8 million-plus units worldwide. Whether you caught a legendary gig at The Rathskeller (The Rat) under Kenmore Square, found the band by taking the T to Newbury Comics to cop Do Or … Continued
Alsarah & the Nubatones were born out of many dinner conversations between Alsarah and Rami El Aasser about nubian ‘songs of return’, modern migration patterns and the cultural exchanges between Sudan and Egypt. A common love for the richness of pentatonic sounds, and shared migration experiences, expanded the conversation to include armenian – american oud player … Continued
