Sparks will fly Fourth of July weekend at The Caverns when a new bluegrass festival emerges from Payne’s Cove featuring a cavalcade of award-winning bluegrass artists. On July 1 & 2, 2023, The Caverns presents the inaugural Big Mouth Bluegrass Festival.

Sometimes, inspiration strikes in the strangest of places. According to three-time Juno Award nominee Del Barber, his new tune, “Still Got You,” flashed before his eyes while he was taking a leak outside one night on his little farm in western Manitoba. “The stars looked like they were crammed in the sky like sardines, the wolves were howling, cows were bawling,” Barber remembers. “I had my dog Fischer next to me.

 “It’s exciting to work with talented people outside the strict structure of a band,” says bassist/singer James Searl of Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad (GPGDS). That statement rang true during the creation of their diverse new album Love In Time, which comes out April 7th via Easy Star Records. Influenced by the need for more social and personal connection during the pandemic, GPGDS wanted to lean into the “squad” in their name by working and collaborating with artists outside of their tight knit circle.

Three-time Grammy award winning singer-songwriter Joe Henry has just released his latest work All The Eye Can See. Henry, who also took upon the role as producer, recorded his most personal album to-date in the comfort of his home. A video of the artist performing the song “Karen Dalton” at his home studio gives an insight of this process. It premieres today at 16.00 CET / 12.00 pm ET / 09.00 am PT on the earMUSIC YouTube channel.

Smithsonian Folkways Recordings has just released the groundbreaking new album Ears of the People: Ekonting Songs from Senegal and The Gambia that represents the first full length representation of the West African ekonting. Considered the key ancestor of the American banjo, the ekonting is alive and well in West Africa, telling the stories of the artists who love it today. And yet it still exhibits some of the same or similar playing techniques as the American banjo, separated by centuries and some of the worst history in the world.

Dub Pistols, the multi-cultural collective founded by Barry Ashworth, has involved dozens of artists and musicians over the years. Since releasing their 1998 breakthrough album Point Blank, the Dub Pistols sound has accordingly morphed a variety of times, taking in dub, punk, jungle, ska, breakbeat, hip-hop and a whole lot more...it’s been a long road traveled. 

Award-winning singer/songwriter Daryl Mosley shares words of wisdom with his new single, “A Life Well Lived.” The record, which premiered on Bluegrass Today and was featured on Roughstock earlier this week, is the first release and title track of Mosley’s upcoming album due later this year on Pinecastle Records. The single is available to radio via Airplay Direct, and fans can order it HERE now.

Americana artist Juliana Riccardi has released her latest single, “Right On Time,” an inspiring country-folk tune about owning your choices and having the confidence to forge your own path. “Right On Time,” the first single in her forthcoming 2-song series, The Nashville Session, is available to stream and download on all digital platforms (available March 1st, 2023).

Don’t miss the chance to see acclaimed jazz guitarist Steve Cardenas and his formidable trio perform at Zinc on Monday, February 13. He will be joined by Ben Allison on bass and Allison Miller on drums.

Showtimes are at 7:00 pm & 8:30 pm. Tickets: $25 in advance / $30 day of show. For more info, visit https://www.zincjazz.com.

As we celebrate Black History Month, there is an opportunity for us to reflect on the indispensable contributions that African American musicians have made to the world of jazz. From the roots of blues and ragtime, to the swing era, bebop, and beyond, jazz has always been shaped by the talent, creativity, and vision of black artists. From Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, to Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone, these artists have left an indelible mark on the world of music.