Jon Shain & FJ Ventre combine Piedmont blues with bluegrass, swing and ragtime to create a warm sound full of fiery acoustic guitar work, heartfelt basslines and insightful lyrics. Jon’s unique talent led him to victory in the solo/duo category of the 2019 International Blues Challenge.
Bulltown Strutters are a community parade band delivering a wild mix of old-school New Orleans second line classics and new-school funk. They burst out hip-shaking, smile-making boogie music and urge the audience to join them in parade, dance and merry-making.
Batalá Durham is an international samba reggae music project whose Durham chapter formed in 2015 to celebrate the upbeat and energetic rhythms of Afro-Brazilian culture.
John Saylor plays music in a style he’s dubbed “Neo-Post-Alt-Folk,” blending elements of lyrically-driven tunefulness with emotional depth and frequent bits of cerebral humor. His music creates a tasty stew of sonic delight for the mind and soul.