There would be no American folk music without the contribution of African-American artists, some celebrated, others unsung heroes, whose passion for preserving—and reimagining—musical traditions indelibly shapes America’s musical heritage. Rhythms, instruments and vocal styles born of the African diaspora echo in every American roots music genre, while a new generation of artists are bringing the rich and diverse treasures of Black Americana  to the forefront of contemporary sounds. 

Over the years, Sugar Maple Festival fans have had the great fortune to welcome veteran and emerging Black artists to the stage, a tradition that continues this year with the powerful sound of punk-folk artist @Sunny War:

“…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 like a hammer striking piano keys in perfect meter, while the fills are dynamic flurries – like cluster bombs. I haven’t heard a young guitarist this dexterous and ass-kicking in eons.” – Michael Simmons, L.A Weekly

Milwaukee-born musical duo (and Sugar Maple Festival alums) SistaStrings took to the stage this year at the Grammy’s with legend Joni Mitchell during Mitchell’s first-ever Grammy performance at 80 years old.

Sisters Chauntee and Monique Ross, who performed at Sugar Maple in 2021, are now working on a studio album which will be produced by Brandi Carlile. The two will also be featured in an exhibit showcasing current artists at the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum in Nashville.

The Piedmont Bluz acoustic duo (Sugar Maple Festival 2016)  is dedicated to the preservation of Piedmont-style country blues and  keeping this rural, east coast tradition alive by educating audiences about the unique aspects of African American culture through musical entertainment.  Husband and wife Valerie and Ben Turner believe “there are stories to tell, people to remember, and things that must be said” and their music weaves a bit of history into the presentation of each song. The duo are bringing those traditions to The Fort Worth African American Roots Music Festival (FWAAMFest) next month, where they will join a lineup of award-winning artists from across North America.  FWAAMFest is the only major city festival of its kind in the United States, Black-led and centered on Black artists reclaiming their place in roots music through preservation and innovation.

In addition to preserving history and cultural traditions, Black music has also inspired and accompanied the freedom struggles and social movements we commemorate this month–from the civil rights struggle to Black Lives Matter. Artist Buffalo Nichols carries this tradition on with songs like  “Another Man,” singing: “When my grandpa was young / He had to hold his tongue / Cause they’d hang you from a bridge downtown / Now they call it stand your ground / Another man is dead.” He was inspired by “Another Man Done Gone,” a traditional song about prison work farms, and wanted to draw a direct line between that history and contemporary police violence. 

Nichols journey led him from Milwaukee’s punk scene to West African Griot music and back to the American Blues tradition he has embraced and introduced to a new generation.

If you can’t make it to FWAAMFest  next month, check out this Playlist featuring up-and-coming voices of Black Folk here: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/14/arts/music/amplifier-newsletter-black-folk-singers.html and look forward to an amazing show when Sunny War takes the stage at Sugar Maple Festival next summer!