Jake Blount is the present, past and future of folk music. A virtuoso multi-instrumentalist with a beautiful voice, he follows a completely unique path within folk. Blount rewrites the history of the genre and adds his own chapter to it.

Jake Blount is a banjo and fiddle player from Providence, Rhode Island, whose masterful performances on both acoustic instruments have earned him widespread acclaim and numerous awards. In addition to his exceptional instrumental skills, Blount possesses an extraordinary depth of knowledge about American music history, with a particular focus on the folk music traditions of Americans. Blount is a passionate advocate for recognizing the vital contributions of the African American community to the country’s musical heritage. In his work, he blends traditional songs and fragments—unearthed from centuries-old, forgotten collections and sound archives of his ancestors—into his own compositions, incorporating modern musical styles and techniques. While his beloved banjo and fiddle remain central to his music, Blount also incorporates electric guitar, synthesizers, looping stations, and other digital tools into his repertoire.

Blount's debut album Spider Tales (2020) was promptly awarded five stars by The Guardian and hailed as an instant classic. His subsequent albums, The New Faith (2022) and Symbiont (2024)—both released on the renowned Smithsonian Folkways label—were also met with overwhelming acclaim. His Afrofuturistic approach to folklore is unparalleled and downright revolutionary, yet it feels familiar due to the traditional elements Blount weaves into his work. The result is a sense of wonder and transcendence for the listener, transforming into something magical and ecstatic when performed live. This charismatic performer’s show, accompanied by his spectacularly talented bandmates, will mark his very first appearance in the Netherlands and promises to be something truly special.