Another Round of Performers Announced for 83rd National Folk Festival

Artists from across Mississippi to appear at the festival in Downtown Jackson this November

Jackson, MS, July 21, 2026 — The 83rd National Folk Festival announced today eight more groups appearing at the festival in Downtown Jackson, November 13-15. Representing cultural communities from Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, these artists join an artistic program that reflects the richness and variety of American culture. Half of today’s announced groups come from across Mississippi, and represent the iconic American musical and cultural traditions for which the state is known. 

“Jackson’s story has always been told through music, and this year’s National Folk Festival lets the world hear that story in full,” said Jackson Mayor John Horhn. “From blues and gospel to Choctaw social dance and the energy of HBCU step teams, these artists show how deeply Mississippi has shaped American culture. We’re proud to host them in Downtown Jackson and invite everyone to be part of this celebration in the heart of our city. As we welcome artists from across the South and around the country, this year’s festival also highlights the diversity of American folk traditions and the communities that keep them thriving.”

“You can’t tell the story of American music without Mississippi,” said Blaine Waide, executive director of the National Council of the Traditional Arts (NCTA). “As we continue to celebrate and reflect on our nation’s 250th anniversary, Mississippi is the perfect place to present a festival that celebrates the richness, variety, and excellence of American music. It’s also an opportunity to highlight musicians like the artists we’ve announced today who continue to carry the state’s legacy forward.”

Approximately 300 artists—musicians, dancers, storytellers, and craftspeople—will take part in the National Folk Festival, with more than 30 different musical groups performing on as many as six outdoor performance venues throughout Downtown Jackson. The eight artists announced today include:

• Dexter Allen (Jackson, Mississippi) – blues Former lead guitarist and producer for soul blues legend Bobby Rush, this Jackson favorite is making his own mark with a sound that exudes soulful vocals and dynamic guitar solos.

  
  

• Epi Martinez & Friends (Rio Grande Valley, Texas) – conjunto tejano With deep roots in the music, culture, and traditions of the Rio Grande Valley, this mother-and- son-led conjunto offers charming duet harmony lines that invite their audience to two-step.

  
  

• Melissa Carper & Emily Gimble (Austin, Texas) – classic country Two renowned musicians brought together by their shared love of classic country music collaborate to create a fresh sound that also intertwines western swing, jazz, and old-time.

  Johnny Gimble, Emily’s grandfather, received an NEA National Heritage Fellowship in 1994.

  
  

• Mystic Wind Choctaw Social Dance Group (Choctaw, Mississippi) – Choctaw social dance Wearing traditional dress and guided by a chanter’s singing and percussive sticks, Choctaw dancers have been dancing Chahta Hihla (Choctaw dancing) for centuries, fostering fellowship and community.

  
  

• Revival Worship from the Jackson Revival Center (Jackson, Mississippi) – praise and worship music Bringing their powerful voices, devotion, and spiritually uplifting message, this award-winning praise team always leaves their listeners inspired and full of joy.

  
  

• Stanley & the Ten Sleepless Knights (St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands) – quelbe music These St. Croix legends, the foremost conservators of quelbe music, shine a light on this unique, infectious dance music, the official traditional music of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

  Stanley Jacobs received an NEA National Heritage Fellowship in 2022.

  
  

• "Steppin' in the 'Sip" (Mississippi) – step team competition A celebration of Black culture and HBCU campus life, Divine Nine stepping teams from across Mississippi bring everything to the stage to showcase their skill, coordination, and precision.

  
  

• Winnsboro Easter Rock Ensemble (Winnsboro, Louisiana) – Easter Rock spiritual ensemble

  Continuing a tradition passed down over five generations, the last group rocking on Easter Eve in Louisiana’s Franklin Parish shares their sacred service filled with devotion and symbolism.

  Winnsboro Easter Rock Ensemble received an NEA National Heritage Fellowship in 2021.

  
  

Over 15 people of different backgrounds—and with a deep knowledge of music and art forms—came together from across Mississippi to serve as the local Festival Programming Advisory Committee. This committee’s role is to consider—and help the NCTA select—the artists who will perform at the National Folk Festival each year.

To learn more about these artists and their stories, please visit nationalfolkfestival.com/artists. The National Folk Festival will feature individual artists on its Facebook page (facebook.com/NFFJackson) and Instagram (instagram.com/NFFJackson) throughout the summer.

More performers will be announced as they are confirmed. The eight artists announced today join the following performers:

• Annie & the Caldwells (West Point, Mississippi) – soul gospel

• Capoeira Luanda (New York, New York) – Brazilian capoeira

Mestre Jelon Vieira, leader of Capoeira Luanda, received an NEA National Heritage Fellowship in 2008.

• Dat Mighty 9 feat. Big Chief Romeo (New Orleans, Louisiana) – Mardi Gras Indian music

• Eddie Cotton, Jr. (Clinton, Mississippi) – soul blues

• The Jerry Douglas Band (Nashville, Tennessee) – bluegrass

Jerry Douglas received an NEA National Heritage Fellowship in 2004.

• Mavis Staples (Chicago, Illinois) – gospel, soul, and rhythm and bluesMavis Staples received an NEA National Heritage Fellowship in 2006.

• Mississippi Alumni All-Star Band (Jackson, Mississippi) – HBCU marching band

• Mississippi Mass Choir (Jackson, Mississippi) – gospel

• Rahim AlHaj Trio (Albuquerque, New Mexico) – Iraqi oudRahim AlHaj received an NEA National Heritage Fellowship in 2015.

• Rahzel (New York, New York) – beatboxing

• Raiatea Helm (Honolulu, Hawai’i) – Hawaiian falsetto singing

• Rebolú (Queens, New York, and Tampa, Florida) – Colombian 

• Rondalla Club of Los Angeles (Los Angeles, California) – Filipino rondalla

Tagumpay de Leon, or “Uncle Pi,” received an NEA National Heritage Fellowship in 2021.

• Savoy Family Cajun Band (Eunice, Louisiana) – CajunMarc Savoy received an NEA National Heritage Fellowship in 1992.

• Tay Cheesy (Atlanta, Georgia) – trail ride line dancing

Performer assets may be downloaded here: bit.ly/NFFPressKit.

The National Folk Festival is a partnership of the National Council for the Traditional Arts, the City of Jackson, Visit Jackson, Downtown Jackson Partners, the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership, the Community Foundation for Mississippi, the Mississippi Arts Commission, the Mississippi Humanities Council, Visit Mississippi, and the National Park Service. The festival is FREE to the public.