News and Press

Remembering “People's Singer” Barbara Dane (1927-2024), by Jeff Place

Announcing Things Done Changed, the sharp-witted new album by acclaimed blues singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jerron Paxton. Things Done Changed is available for pre-order now, and will be released digitally and …

Announcing Songs for Fall, the first of four seasonal volumes of original folk music for young children by Little Folkies. Songs for Fall is now available digitally.

Announcing symbiont, a collaborative and defiant work of Indigenous and Afrofuturist folklore by Jake Blount & Mali Obomsawin. symbiont is available for pre-order now, …

Announcing Pieces of Home, the soulful and uplifting new album by Dan + Claudia Zanes. Pieces of Home is available for pre-order now, and will be released digitally and on CD on August 30th and on LP in Fall/Winter 2025.

Mr. Greg releases sweet and celebratory single “Sweet Ella Jenkins” (b/w “I Like Animals”) for Ella Jenkins’ centennial birthday, out today on Smithsonian Folkways.

Celebrating the 100th birthday of the “First Lady of Children’s Music” Ella Jenkins with 2 archival LP reissues, new music inspired by her life's work, her entire Smithsonian Folkways catalog up on Bandcamp, unseen photographs, and more.

Announcing Wanderers Like Me, the spirited and reflective new album by The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys. Wanderers Like Me is available for pre-order now, and will be released digitally and on CD and LP on August 16th.

Smithsonian Folkways has acquired Gordon Bok’s label Timberhead Music, an outlet for Bok’s musical and literary works.

The Po’ Ramblin Boys' first single of 2024, “Lonely Pine,” is out today on Smithsonian Folkways.

Remembering Piedmont Blues Harmonica Virtuoso Phil Wiggins (1954-2024), by Jeff Place

Announcing The Complete Friends of Old Time Music Concert, an album that premiers unreleased recordings by Bessie Jones, John Davis, and the Georgia Sea Island Singers with Mississippi Fred McDowell and Ed Young. The Complete Friends of Old Time Music Concert is available for pre- …

Smithsonian Folkways is now hiring for the role of Licensing and Publishing Assistant.

Announcing You've Been A Friend To Me, the first-ever collection of music from the singular vocalist, graphic designer, art director, and member of the Seeger family Sonya Cohen Cramer. You've Been A Friend To Me is available for pre-order now, and will be released digitally and on …

Smithsonian Folkways Recordings is seeking an experienced finance and accounting professional to fill the role of Financial Operations Manager.

Announcing Another Heart, the latest album from traditional music legend Ann Savoy. Another Heart is available for pre-order now, and will be released digitally and on CD and LP on April 14th.

Listening to Langston Hughes' Rhythms of the World, a panoply of ethnographic sound recordings strung whimsically together by Hughes’ own narration.

Announcing Little Sun, the latest album from prolific Minnesota-based singer, songwriter, and guitarist Charlie Parr. Little Sun is available for pre-order now, and will be released digitally and on CD and LP on March 22nd.

Announcing Sones de Mariachi, the latest album from two-time Grammy award-winning Mariachi Los Camperos. Sones de Mariachi is available for pre-order now, and will be released digitally and on CD on January 19th.