Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson have unveiled “Marching Jaybird,” an instrumental track from their forthcoming album of North Carolina fiddle and banjo music, What Did the Blackbird Say to the Crow, due April 18. Revisiting this tune recorded by Etta Baker, one of their musical heroes and a key inspiration for making this new album, and recording it at Baker’s Morganton, NC, home "was a magical moment for Justin and me," Giddens says. "Walking into her house, which is frozen in time, looking just like it did when she was alive, very much reminded us of women in our families; sitting in her living room and recording this piece learned from her playing was pretty profound." You can watch the video here. Giddens has also announced a number of new tour dates, including the Hollywood Bowl, and shared more details about her Biscuits & Banjos festival, which takes place in Durham, NC, April 25–27.
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Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson have unveiled “Marching Jaybird” from their forthcoming album of North Carolina fiddle and banjo music, What Did the Blackbird Say to the Crow, due April 18. As part of their long-awaited reunion on this album, “Marching Jaybird” finds the duo revisiting a recording by influential guitarist and singer Etta Baker, one of their musical heroes and a key inspiration for making this new album.
The instrumental track, with Giddens and Robinson both on banjo, was recorded at Baker’s Morganton, NC home. The two longtime friends and collaborators experienced an extraordinary moment at Baker’s home while recording when her son, Edgar Baker, offhandedly mentioned that his mother had recorded “Carolina Breakdown” in her yard, and that a Carolina wren ended up on the recording. Robinson and Giddens were delighted to hear him tell this story, as that very recording had been their inspiration to record What Did the Blackbird Say to the Crow in the way they did—preserving place in music. The duo recorded Baker’s version of “Marching Jaybird” in the living room, as shown in the video, with Baker’s son listening.
“This was a magical moment for Justin and me,” Giddens says. “Walking into Etta Baker’s house, which is frozen in time, looking just like it did when she was alive, very much reminded us of women in our families; sitting in her living room and recording this piece we learned from her playing, was pretty profound.”
Giddens has also announced a number of new dates on her Rhiannon Giddens & The Old-Time Revue tour–featuring Robinson and four other string musicians, including multi-instrumentalist Dirk Powell. On June 18 they will headline the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, joined by special guests Our Native Daughters—in their first performance since 2022—as well as Steve Martin, Ed Helms, and more. Additional shows in July have been added to the itinerary as well; see below for the full list.
Giddens also shared more details about Biscuits & Banjos—revealing the remaining artist performances and panel lineup—her first festival, which takes place April 25-27 in downtown Durham, NC. Curated by Giddens, Biscuits & Banjos highlights the deep roots and enduring legacy of Black music, art, and culture while fostering community and storytelling. The sold-out festival will feature a much-anticipated Carolina Chocolate Drops reunion, their first performance together in more than a decade. The newly unveiled additions include Amythyst Kiah, Angela Wellman, Bittersweet Brass Band, Buffalo Nichols, Charly Lowry, Dasan Ahanu, Gabrielle and Danielle Davenport, Hannah Mayree, Joseph Johnson, Dr. Lalenja Harrington, Michael Twitty, Niwel Tsumbu, Piedmont Blues Preservation Society, Shana Tucker, Shorlette Ammons, Sùle Greg Wilson, Toni Tipton-Martin, Dr. Tressie McMillan Cottom, Yasmin Williams, and more. The panels include: Black Voices in Country Music: A Conversation with Rhiannon Giddens, Rissi Palmer, and Alice Randall; Let the Church Say Amen!: Ritual, Storytelling, and the Oral Tradition with Dasan Ahanu and Dr. Lalenja Harrington; Intentional Community: Celebrating Black Voices in Festivals and Live Events with Holly G, Brandi Waller-Pace, Rissi Palmer, and Dr. Dena Ross Jennings; and The Art of the Biscuit: A Conversation with Michael Twitty and Toni Tipton-Martin, supported by Biscuitville.
Watch: Rhiannon Giddens & Justin Robinson Share “Marching Jaybird,” Originally By Etta Baker, from New Album, 'What Did the Blackbird Say to the Crow'
Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson have unveiled “Marching Jaybird” from their forthcoming album of North Carolina fiddle and banjo music, What Did the Blackbird Say to the Crow, due April 18. As part of their long-awaited reunion on this album, “Marching Jaybird” finds the duo revisiting a recording by influential guitarist and singer Etta Baker, one of their musical heroes and a key inspiration for making this new album.
The instrumental track, with Giddens and Robinson both on banjo, was recorded at Baker’s Morganton, NC home. The two longtime friends and collaborators experienced an extraordinary moment at Baker’s home while recording when her son, Edgar Baker, offhandedly mentioned that his mother had recorded “Carolina Breakdown” in her yard, and that a Carolina wren ended up on the recording. Robinson and Giddens were delighted to hear him tell this story, as that very recording had been their inspiration to record What Did the Blackbird Say to the Crow in the way they did—preserving place in music. The duo recorded Baker’s version of “Marching Jaybird” in the living room, as shown in the video, with Baker’s son listening.
“This was a magical moment for Justin and me,” Giddens says. “Walking into Etta Baker’s house, which is frozen in time, looking just like it did when she was alive, very much reminded us of women in our families; sitting in her living room and recording this piece we learned from her playing, was pretty profound.”
Giddens has also announced a number of new dates on her Rhiannon Giddens & The Old-Time Revue tour–featuring Robinson and four other string musicians, including multi-instrumentalist Dirk Powell. On June 18 they will headline the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, joined by special guests Our Native Daughters—in their first performance since 2022—as well as Steve Martin, Ed Helms, and more. Additional shows in July have been added to the itinerary as well; see below for the full list.
Giddens also shared more details about Biscuits & Banjos—revealing the remaining artist performances and panel lineup—her first festival, which takes place April 25-27 in downtown Durham, NC. Curated by Giddens, Biscuits & Banjos highlights the deep roots and enduring legacy of Black music, art, and culture while fostering community and storytelling. The sold-out festival will feature a much-anticipated Carolina Chocolate Drops reunion, their first performance together in more than a decade. The newly unveiled additions include Amythyst Kiah, Angela Wellman, Bittersweet Brass Band, Buffalo Nichols, Charly Lowry, Dasan Ahanu, Gabrielle and Danielle Davenport, Hannah Mayree, Joseph Johnson, Dr. Lalenja Harrington, Michael Twitty, Niwel Tsumbu, Piedmont Blues Preservation Society, Shana Tucker, Shorlette Ammons, Sùle Greg Wilson, Toni Tipton-Martin, Dr. Tressie McMillan Cottom, Yasmin Williams, and more. The panels include: Black Voices in Country Music: A Conversation with Rhiannon Giddens, Rissi Palmer, and Alice Randall; Let the Church Say Amen!: Ritual, Storytelling, and the Oral Tradition with Dasan Ahanu and Dr. Lalenja Harrington; Intentional Community: Celebrating Black Voices in Festivals and Live Events with Holly G, Brandi Waller-Pace, Rissi Palmer, and Dr. Dena Ross Jennings; and The Art of the Biscuit: A Conversation with Michael Twitty and Toni Tipton-Martin, supported by Biscuitville.
Watch: Rhiannon Giddens & Justin Robinson Share “Marching Jaybird,” Originally By Etta Baker, from New Album, 'What Did the Blackbird Say to the Crow'
Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson have unveiled “Marching Jaybird” from their forthcoming album of North Carolina fiddle and banjo music, What Did the Blackbird Say to the Crow, due April 18. As part of their long-awaited reunion on this album, “Marching Jaybird” finds the duo revisiting a recording by influential guitarist and singer Etta Baker, one of their musical heroes and a key inspiration for making this new album.
The instrumental track, with Giddens and Robinson both on banjo, was recorded at Baker’s Morganton, NC home. The two longtime friends and collaborators experienced an extraordinary moment at Baker’s home while recording when her son, Edgar Baker, offhandedly mentioned that his mother had recorded “Carolina Breakdown” in her yard, and that a Carolina wren ended up on the recording. Robinson and Giddens were delighted to hear him tell this story, as that very recording had been their inspiration to record What Did the Blackbird Say to the Crow in the way they did—preserving place in music. The duo recorded Baker’s version of “Marching Jaybird” in the living room, as shown in the video, with Baker’s son listening.
“This was a magical moment for Justin and me,” Giddens says. “Walking into Etta Baker’s house, which is frozen in time, looking just like it did when she was alive, very much reminded us of women in our families; sitting in her living room and recording this piece we learned from her playing, was pretty profound.”
Giddens has also announced a number of new dates on her Rhiannon Giddens & The Old-Time Revue tour–featuring Robinson and four other string musicians, including multi-instrumentalist Dirk Powell. On June 18 they will headline the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, joined by special guests Our Native Daughters—in their first performance since 2022—as well as Steve Martin, Ed Helms, and more. Additional shows in July have been added to the itinerary as well; see below for the full list.
Giddens also shared more details about Biscuits & Banjos—revealing the remaining artist performances and panel lineup—her first festival, which takes place April 25-27 in downtown Durham, NC. Curated by Giddens, Biscuits & Banjos highlights the deep roots and enduring legacy of Black music, art, and culture while fostering community and storytelling. The sold-out festival will feature a much-anticipated Carolina Chocolate Drops reunion, their first performance together in more than a decade. The newly unveiled additions include Amythyst Kiah, Angela Wellman, Bittersweet Brass Band, Buffalo Nichols, Charly Lowry, Dasan Ahanu, Gabrielle and Danielle Davenport, Hannah Mayree, Joseph Johnson, Dr. Lalenja Harrington, Michael Twitty, Niwel Tsumbu, Piedmont Blues Preservation Society, Shana Tucker, Shorlette Ammons, Sùle Greg Wilson, Toni Tipton-Martin, Dr. Tressie McMillan Cottom, Yasmin Williams, and more. The panels include: Black Voices in Country Music: A Conversation with Rhiannon Giddens, Rissi Palmer, and Alice Randall; Let the Church Say Amen!: Ritual, Storytelling, and the Oral Tradition with Dasan Ahanu and Dr. Lalenja Harrington; Intentional Community: Celebrating Black Voices in Festivals and Live Events with Holly G, Brandi Waller-Pace, Rissi Palmer, and Dr. Dena Ross Jennings; and The Art of the Biscuit: A Conversation with Michael Twitty and Toni Tipton-Martin, supported by Biscuitville.
Flea has shared his take on Frank Ocean’s “Thinkin Bout You,” reinterpreting the Channel Orange classic as an instrumental and orchestral ballad. Led by Flea’s electric bass and trumpet, the song features upright bass from Anna Butterss and strings arranged and orchestrated by Nate Walcott (Bright Eyes). You can hear it here and watch the song’s visualizer, with direction, animation, and illustration by @nespy5euro, here. Following the release of singles “A Plea” and “Traffic Lights” (feat. Thom Yorke), “Thinkin Bout You” marks the third preview to be unveiled from Honora, Flea’s debut solo album, which arrives March 27, 2026, on Nonesuch.
Carnegie Hall has announced its 2026–27 concert season, including performances by Caroline Shaw, who has been named Richard and Barbara Debs Composer’s Chair for the season, Jeremy Denk, Gabriel Kahane, Kronos Quartet, Punch Brothers, and Silkroad Ensemble with Rhiannon Giddens, and works by Steve Reich, John Adams, David Longstreth, and others.
