More Performers Announced for 83rd National Folk Festival
- 18 hours ago
- 4 min read
Artists announced include Mavis Staples, legendary gospel and soul artist with deep ties to Mississippi
Jackson, MS, June 16, 2026 — Additional performers appearing at the 83rd National Folk Festival in Downtown Jackson, November 13-15, were announced today. These seven artists represent a broad spectrum of traditions, from gospel and soul to the Iraqi oud, the visual spectacles of Mardi Gras, HBCU marching bands, and more. This year marks the second year of the festival’s three-year residency in Jackson, Mississippi, and will prominently feature National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship recipients, our nation’s highest honor for the traditional arts, in a special program celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
“The National Folk Festival’s new lineup showcases some of the most powerful voices and traditions in American music, and I’m proud that Jackson will be the stage where these artists share their gifts with the world,” said Mayor John Horhn. “The Folk Festival brings the stories, sounds, and spirit of communities from across America to the heart of Jackson, and we’re honored to host it again as we celebrate our nation’s semiquincentennial.”
The 83rd National Folk Festival is also participating this year in Of the People: The Smithsonian Festival of Festivals, a series of programs and exchanges marking the U.S. Semiquincentennial and showcasing the country’s remarkable cultural landscape.
"This year's festival offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shine a national spotlight on the enduring contributions of Mississippi, and the Deep South, to 250 years of American culture," said Blaine Waide, executive director of the National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA). "As today’s announcement attests, it is a moment to revel in music traditions that define the soundtrack of our nation. It’s free, family friendly, and there’s something for everyone–all in Downtown Jackson."
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 seven artists announced today include:
Annie & the Caldwells (West Point, Mississippi) – soul gospel Blending fiery gospel sounds with the slow-burn groove of soul, this family band is a longtime favorite on the gospel circuit in Mississippi’s Golden Triangle, and of late, across the world.
Dat Mighty 9 feat. Big Chief Romeo (New Orleans, Louisiana) – Mardi Gras Indian music The visual splendor and high-energy sound of Black Masking Carnival culture meets Mardi Gras Indian funk instrumentation as this band propels a deep New Orleans tradition into thrilling new territory.
Mavis Staples (Chicago, Illinois) – gospel, soul, and rhythm and blues From traditional gospel to protest songs and self-empowerment anthems, this iconic vocalist will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the greatest gospel singers of all time.
Mavis Staples received an NEA National Heritage Fellowship in 2006.
Mississippi Alumni All-Star Band (Jackson, Mississippi) – HBCU marching band Featuring an extraordinary blend of tightly choreographed music, movement, and showmanship, this marching band is upholding Mississippi’s legacy of HBCU excellence.
Rahim AlHaj Trio (Albuquerque, New Mexico) – Iraqi oud This renowned Iraqi oud virtuoso and one-time political refugee is a cultural ambassador whose music evokes his homeland, the experiences of exile, new beginnings, and healing.
Rahim AlHaj received an NEA National Heritage Fellowship in 2015.
The Savoy Family Cajun Band (Eunice, Louisiana) – Cajun One of Cajun music’s most recognizable families shares an inspiring passion for their culture, from accordion-driven house party two-steps to timeless French ballads and twin fiddles.
Marc Savoy received an NEA National Heritage Fellowship in 1992.
Tay Cheesy (Atlanta, Georgia) – trial ride line dancing Known for viral TikTok videos full of lively and catchy dance steps, this up-and-coming dance teacher has spread the communal joy of line dancing throughout the South and beyond.
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 seven artists announced today join the following performers:
Capoeira Luanda (New York, New York) – Brazilian capoeira
Mestre Jelon Vieira, leader of Capoeira Luanda, received an NEA National Heritage Fellowship in 2008.
Eddie Cotton, Jr. (Clinton, Mississippi) – soul blues
The Jerry Douglas Band (Nashville, Tennessee) – bluegrass
Jerry Douglas received an NEA National Heritage Fellowship in 2004.
Mississippi Mass Choir (Jackson, Mississippi) – gospel
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.
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.
