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The old-time country music world is abuzz with the release of “Marching Jaybird,” an instrumental single by acclaimed musicians Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson. This captivating track serves as a preview of their highly anticipated album, What Did the Blackbird Say to the Crow, set to launch on April 18 via Nonesuch Records..
Watch “Marching Jaybird” by Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson
Giddens is a renowned multi-instrumentalist, composer, singer-songwriter, and researcher from Greensboro, North Carolina. She is best known as one of the founders and the lead singer, violinist, and banjo player of the country, blues, and old-time music band Carolina Chocolate Drops. The band’s album “Genuine Negro Jig” won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Album at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards. Giddens is also known for her research on folk instruments and traditions of the African-American diaspora.
Robinson is a Grammy award-winning musician and vocalist from Gastonia, North Carolina. Influenced by his grandparents, he learned to play the violin but stopped at 13. While a student at UNC-Chapel Hill, he was inspired by old-time blues jams and began playing the fiddle. He played with the Carolina Chocolate Drops, preserving traditional music and showcasing the fiddle’s African American roots. He wrote “Kissin’ and Cussin’” for their Grammy-winning album and continued his music career after leaving the group in 2011.
“Marching Jaybird,” with its complicated melodies and strong rhythms, shows how well the duo plays their instruments and how connected they are to the roots music of their home state. The track has already received praise from critics and fans, who are excited for the full album to come out.
Two close friends and musicians, Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson recorded “Marching Jaybird” in the living room of Etta Baker’s old house in Morganton, North Carolina, a special place because Etta Baker was an important musician for both Giddens and Robinson. During the recording, Etta Baker’s son, Edgar, told a story about how his mother recorded one of her songs in her yard.
“This was a magical moment for Justin and me,” Giddens remarked. “It reminded us of the women in our families, and recording this piece we learned from her playing felt truly profound.”
Produced by Giddens and Joseph “joebass” DeJarnette, What Did the Blackbird Say to the Crow finds Giddens and Robinson playing eighteen of their favorite North Carolina tunes. Many were learned from their late mentor, the legendary North Carolina Piedmont musician Joe Thompson, one of the last musicians of his era and his community to carry on the southern Black string band tradition.
“With the assaults on reality going on in the world today, we wanted to offer another kind of record, like walking back onto a gravel or dirt road while a stampede goes the other way,” Giddens says. “With the cicada choir, this record could’ve only happened at a certain time in the last 120 years. We doubled down on place, time, realness, and old-fashioned front-porch music. It’s a reminder that another way exists, with music made for your community’s enjoyment and for dancing–not solely for commercial purposes.”
In addition to their album release, Giddens announced new tour dates for *Rhiannon Giddens & The Old-Time Revue*, featuring Robinson and a talented ensemble of five string musicians. Among the most anticipated dates is a performance at the iconic Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on June 18. Giddens will be joined by special guests, including Steve Martin, Ed Helms, and Our Native Daughters, who are reuniting for their first performance since 2022.
Giddens has also revealed a series of exciting tour dates for “Rhiannon Giddens & The Old-Time Revue,” a show that features Robinson and a talented ensemble of five string musicians. This tour will showcase the rich tapestry of old-time music, and fans can expect a mesmerizing blend of traditional sounds and innovative interpretations.
Last year, Giddens unveiled plans for her inaugural Biscuits & Banjos Festival, scheduled for April 25-27 in downtown Durham, NC. The festival aims to celebrate and highlight the rich tapestry of Black music and cultural heritage, featuring a reunion of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, marking their first appearance together in over a decade. The lineup promises to be a vibrant showcase of diverse talent, including Amythyst Kiah, Angela Wellman, and Hannah Mayree.
Notably, the festival will also host a series of engaging panels and discussions, touching on themes of Black voices in country music and the oral traditions of storytelling, further emphasizing Giddens’ commitment to fostering community and preserving cultural narratives.
With support from various organizations and sponsors, including the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and the National Endowment for the Arts, Biscuits & Banjos aims to immerse attendees in North Carolina’s vibrant musical landscape.
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