Fans were treated to a notable musical combination on Friday, February 7, 2025, between the genre-blurring funk band from Boston, Mass., Lettuce, and rapper GZA (aka The Genius), who is a founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan. This all took place at Brooklyn Steel, located in Brooklyn, NY.

For his first release after signing with Mountain Home Music Company, multi-instrumentalist Jesse Smathers digs deeper into the vein of his earlier singles with a neatly multi-flavored version of “Sleepy Eyed John,” an old favorite written by a Kentucky fiddler turned Hollywood western swing musician and found in the repertoire of old-time, country, swing and bluegrass musicians alike.

esperanza spalding has detailed a number of key performances for 2025, including a 12-night residency at the Blue Note in NYC, beginning February 18.  spalding’s itinerary also includes Big Ears in Knoxville, TN on March 28 and tour dates in New Orleans and Kansas in April.  See below for spalding’s full itinerary, and at https://esperanzaspalding.com/ 

Fugitiv Films, in collaboration with The Reel Blues Fest and Northern Light Productions, is pleased to announce the wide release of Bonnie Blue: James Cotton’s Life in the Blues. This riveting new documentary offers an intimate look at the life of James “Super Harp” Cotton (1935–2017), whose remarkable journey carried the blues from the post-Depression Mississippi Delta to the forefront of American music and beyond.

A Blues Legacy That Shaped American Music

After turning up the heat with their single “Birdwatcher,” Hot Mustard is back and officially cooking with “Hall of Giants.” Serving as the opening track to their forthcoming album, Monster Season, “Hall of Giants” channels classic boom-bap energy fused with retro soul, setting the stage for an electrifying musical journey.

Susto Stringband will release their debut album, Susto Stringband: Volume 1, on March 28, 2025 via New West Records. The 9-track set was produced by Ryan Stigmon and recorded at Mitch Easter’s Fidelitorium Recordings in Kernersville, NC. The debut album is a collaborative work between Justin Osborne, frontman of the acclaimed rock outfit Susto, and the Asheville-based Americana band Holler Choir.

One of the most electrifying guitarists of her generation, Samantha Fish, has consistently captivated audiences with her unparalleled energy, boldness, emotional depth and unique blend of rock and soul. Known for her expressive guitar playing and powerhouse performances, Fish's career hit warp speed with the release of her last album, 2023’s Death Wish Blues, which hit #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart, and earned her a Grammy nomination, plus invitations to support The Rolling Stones, Jon Spencer, Slash and more.

The Mallett Brothers Band unveils "Dogs and Horses," the latest single from their forthcoming album, Higher Up in the Hills, out April 4th. The track features legendary pianist Chuck Leavell—known for his work with The Rolling Stones and The Allman Brothers Band—who adds his signature piano and organ work, recorded at the historic Capricorn Studios.

Hog Wild Productions and Morgan Creek Farms are announcing a shagadelic lineup for the 11th Annual Fourth on the Farm running July 4-6, 2025 at Morgan Creek Farms in Quakertown, PA. This year’s event will feature two days of groovy music spread across 5 stages on Friday, July 4 and Saturday, July 5, with an intimate farm-to-table dinner on Friday evening.

The second annual Montreux Jazz Festival Miami, February 28 – March 2, 2025 at The Hangar at Regatta Cove in Coconut Grove, proudly announces exciting new additions to its artist lineup. This year’s festival will elevate the live music experience with a mix of legendary and emerging artists across diverse genres.