Jake Blount doesn’t just sing and play songs. Chances are he knows their roots in Black and Indigenous history.
Critics have acclaimed his performances as an “awe-inspiring musical experience,” which audiences at this week’s Alaska Folk Festival will get a chance to immerse themselves in, through Blount’s concerts and workshops.
On this Thursday’s Juneau Afternoon, Blount talks about how he learned to play the banjo and became an expert on early African-American music. He will also have his band with him and perform a few tunes.
Also on the program:
- Caitlin Warbelow, a Fairbanks fiddler transplanted to New York City, talks about her long relationship with the Juneau Folk Festival.
KTOO’s Rhonda McBride and Sherry Patterson, president of the Black Awareness show, are your hosts for today’s program. You can catch Juneau Afternoon, Tuesday through Friday, live at 3:00 p.m. on KTOO Juneau 104.3. The rebroadcast airs at 7:00 p.m. on KTOO. You can also listen online at ktoo.org.
For more information about Juneau Afternoon or to schedule time on the show, email juneauafternoon@ktoo.org.
Fiddles, banjos and the high energy music of Jake Blount.
Guests: Jake Blount and his band, headliners at the 2022 Alaska Folk Festival.When Jake Blount fired up his banjo and his bluegrass band went along for the ride, KTOO’s Studio 2K was buzzing with energy. Blount says his music draws its power from its mix of blues, bluegrass and spirituals.
After all these years, the Alaska Folk Festival is still part of Caitlin Warbelow's musical journey.
When Caitlin Warbelow was a teen, she would fly in from Fairbanks to perform at the Alaska Folk Festival. She says this experience set the stage for a career in music that has taken her all the way to New York City. where she performed in the Broadway hit, Come From Away.
