Crys Matthews Ask about the new generation of social justice music-makers and Crys Matthews will be mentioned. A prolific lyricist, Matthews blends Americana, folk, jazz, blues, bluegrass and funk into a bold, complex performance steeped in traditional melodies punctuated by honest, original lyrics. “While each and every day, on each…
Reggie Harris Reggie Harris is an innovative guitarist, a fearlessly creative vocalist, and an engaging storyteller whose concert performances are infused with joy. It’s clear to all that he deeply loves singing and that it is more than his work. But that’s not all. Uniquely committed to “music as a…
SaulPaul SaulPaul is a 3X GRAMMY Nominated Musician with a Message. Part rapper/part singer-songwriter, SaulPaul is an entertaining artist who blends his voice, his guitar, and his loop pedal to create a live show that is nothing less than an experience. Lauded as a pioneer of Acoustic Hip Hop, SaulPaul…
Jen Chapin Jen Chapin has been celebrated for writing “brilliant soulfully poetic urban folk music” (NPR) for more than two decades, attracting notice with her debut, Open Wide, in 2002. Nurtured in and around NYC by a large family of artists, writers, and musicians, Jen's “observant, lyrically deft, politically aware…
Rising Appalachia (Genre: Folk; Location: Southern Appalachia/New Orleans, L.A.): Sisters Leah and Chloe Smith are artists with a genre-bending force of sound that uses vocal harmony, lyrical prowess, and diverse artistic collaborations to defy cultural clichés and ignite a musical revolution. They recently started the Slow Music Movement - an…
Jason Chu jason chu speaks hope and healing in a hurting world, matching high energy performances with hard-hitting lyricism. As an Asian American kid in suburban Delaware, he found a vocabulary for racial identity and liberation in hip-hop culture. He now tours extensively as a rapper, activist, and educator, bringing…
Brian Claflin and Ellie Grace(Genre: Folk/Americana; Locations: North Carolina (Brian) and Kansas City, MO (Ellie)):Ellie Grace is a folk artist and dancer who embraces the power of music in connecting people. She first took to the stage as a young member of her family band and now tours internationally as…
Emma’s Revolution (Genre: Folk/Mix; Location: Oakland, CA) Pat Humphries and Sandy Opatow have performed at protests for peace, women's rights, labor rights, environmental protection, and other progressive causes. They have composed songs for: School of the Americas Watch; Code Pink, the Refugee and Immigrant Women's Network; Black Lives Matter; and…
George Ensle (Genre: Country/Folk; Location: Texas) George is a country/folk artist who’s also the originator and songwriting director of PortraitSongs - a custom songwriting service designed to pay tribute and honor loved ones by “Giving them Their Own Song.” He teaches songwriting workshops on the creative process and the crafting aspect…
Steven Hernandez Steven, originally from Houston, Texas, began his career as an emcee, participating in rap battles during his teenage years. He quickly discovered his natural talent for the art form, but also encountered some negative influences that led him down a path of despair. However, he found solace in…