Sister John Angela blends trance elements, impressionistic freedom, glimpses of Tejano, and inspiration from the Balkans, bridging timeless folk idioms to the present moment in what’s been coined “Desert Jazz”.

When George Gershwin created “Porgy and Bess”, the blues attained operatic dimensions. The form acquires a chamber element. Sister John Angela honors this connection with the union of Smitty’s compositions and Janie’s improvisational technique, bridging timeless folk idioms to the present moment in what’s been coined “Desert Jazz”. Blending resonator guitar and double bass with effects pedals, the duo delves into the whining slide techniques of the great Mississippi delta bluesmen from Son House to Muddy Waters. Combining this with a trance element, impressionistic freedom, glimpses of Tejano, and inspiration from the Balkans, you will find that each show promises a new sonic discovery, even for the artists themselves. Their sophomore release, ‘Easy Keeper’, is coming out in 2024. We are thrilled to have these high desert denizens unfurl their mesmerizing soundscapes at the festival in May.

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