Folk Alliance 2020 - The Story of People and Place"

The theme of this year’s Folk Alliance was “The Story of People and Place,” with a conscious attempt to explore diversity, equity, and inclusion – appropriate indeed in the melting pot that is New Orleans. As with the 2017 conference, coming in the wake of Trump’s inauguration, there was a strong thread of activism among the speakers. New Orleans resident Ani DiFranco, who galvanized us in 2017, was just as powerful in a candid conversation with NPR’s Ann Powers about her life as an artist, feminist, and entrepreneur. Another NPR correspondent, Melissa Block, spoke with the indomitable Mavis Staples, who keeps the dream of social justice alive. And Rhiannon Giddens had us transfixed in her inspiring keynote speech, which posited, “There is no world music, it’s all folk music!”

Although I got out of the hotel for several choice meals (and a beignet at Café du Monde), I regret there wasn’t time to tap into New Orleans’ rich music scene, with the exception of a random second line headed down Bourbon St. (I realized too late I should’ve come a day or two early. I did attend Jazz Fest 9 years ago and Preservation Hall about 40 years ago.) The way they schedule the conference, it’s non-stop music from late afternoon with official showcases through the wee hours in private showcases in hotel rooms.

It’s impossible to list all the artists I heard, but here are some who made an impression. (With rare exceptions, I pretty concentrate on ones I haven’t heard before.) Perhaps my favorite was Rising Appalachia, a killer band from Asheville, NC, led by the sisters Leah and Chloe Smith. Speaking of siblings, Sean and Sara Watkins brought some star power to the Watkins Family Hour. Other groups with energy included The Barefoot Movement from L.A. and Corner Boy from Ireland. Two male duos, Mapache from L.A. and Frances Luke Accord from Nashville, catered to my love of harmony.

There was no shortage of married musical couples in New Orleans, ranging from The Mastersons from L.A. to Ordinary Elephant and Guy Forsyth & Jeska Bailey from Austin to Burnstick from Winnipeg to Darling West from Norway. Closer to home was Nefesh Mountain, a progressive bluegrass band from Montclair led by Doni Zasloff and Eric Lindberg, who combine Jewish culture with Americana. Aidan Quinn and Christine Stay from Greenville, SC, who perform as Friction Farm, caught my ear with a topical song, “Angels in Our Midst,” which I hope they’ll record soon.

Jordi Baizan from Houston, who had already made my Spotify playlist of Compassion and Commitment, was an appealing presence. A couple of veterans, Tom Rush (with Matt Nakoa on keyboards) and David Jacobs-Strain (with Bob Beach on harmonica) proved they’ve got plenty of gas in their tank. Perhaps the biggest buzz for a male artist came from Shane Hennessy, a 22-year-old guitar virtuoso from Ireland to rival Tommy Emmanuel.

Siobhan O’Brien is an Irish émigré now living in Washington, D.C. with a wonderful voice. Other strong females included Kelly Hunt from Kansas City (whose debut album Even the Sparrow was nominated for the Folk Alliance Album of the Year), Sierra Ferrell and Mary Bragg from Nashville, Alisa Amador from Boston (a standout at NERFA), and Raye Zaragoza, a topical songwriter who’s moved from NYC to L.A.

One of the more heartening showcases (shown in the photo) featured The Bright Siders, a project formed by Kristin Andreassen and Brooklyn child psychologist Dr. Kari Groff to help kids deal with their emotions. They were joined at Folk Alliance by Kristin’s husband, Chris (Critter) Eldridge, of Punch Brothers fame on guitar and vocals. Longtime Folk Alliance favorite Rose Cousins from Halifax, NS, presented songs from her new album, Bravado, accompanied by a seeming cast of thousands. And then there’s the incomparable Susan Werner, now back in Philadelphia who’s known for her own bravado. Appropriately, she played songs from her latest album, NOLA, accompanies by a trombone player from the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

There are many more I could list – and if you were there, you certainly have others you would mention. Hopefully over time I’ll be able to get to some of them on the Sunday Supper as well!