Brooklyn Americana Fest Rides Again!

September 10, 2025 by David K. Moseder

The 11th Annual Brooklyn Americana Music Festival (BKAMF) is set for Sept. 18-21 (Thurs.-Sun.) at multiple sites in Dumbo and Red Hook, including Sunny’s Bar, Dumbo Archway, 68 Jay St Bar and Superfine. It’s all free except for Opening Night at Jalopy Theatre, hosted by festival curator Jan Bell. An array of top local and visiting artists will perform all weekend, the great majority of which are first-timers to the festival.

Tetsuro Trio /photo courtesy of the BKAMF 2025

Among the returnees are bi-racial “Noir Rockabilly Blues” singer Saudia Young, back for her third consecutive BKAMF; aunt-and-niece duo Squiretown; Andrea Asprelli, who wowed the 2018 crowd as lead singer of Cricket Tell the Weather. Those three are among the heavily represented local talent that also includes opening night performers Diamond Spur Rodeo, an all-female singer-songwriter quartet; and Damon Daunno, Tony nominee for “Oklahoma!” who has a new album out, God and Country. They’ll be joined at Jalopy by country soul artist Berry Clyde from Queens and yodeling country bluesman Vaden Landers from East Tennessee.

Cole Quest and the City Pickers 2 /photo by Benton Brown

Cole Quest and the City Pickers /photo by Benton Brown

Perhaps the most intriguing local act his year is Cole Quest and The City Pickers. Quest is the grandson of folk icon and longtime Brooklyn resident Woody Guthrie. (His mom is Nora Guthrie; Arlo and Joady Guthrie are his uncles). Other Brooklyn-based performers include Peter Baldwin, formerly of the band Bedstuy; singer-trombonist John Cushing; The Dirty Mother String Band (another all-woman quartet); Austin’s Marley Hale, who produced her latest album, By My Own Ways, at Greenpoint Recording Collective; jazz pianist Tetsuro Hoshii; jazz-blues artist Mara Kaye; and Lily Talmers who, with her new album, It Is Cyclical, Missing You, has drawn comparisons to Big Thief’s Adrianne Lenker.

Rounding out this year’s BKAMF roster are beyond Brooklyn artists Bad Penny Pleasure Makers (New Orleans); The Band Ivory (Los Angeles); Brownstone Cowboys (Manhattan); and Sug Daniels (Philadelphia).

In addition to the weekend shows, there will be a free pre-festival Jazz Dance Party on Wed. Sept 17 at Superfine featuring New Orleans’ Nanci Z and NYC’s The Hot Papas Jazz Band. Superfine is also hosting music after parties on Friday and Saturday.

Artists on our Radar

Johnny Burgos Blends Brooklyn with Soul

Johnny Burgos describes himself as a creator of “Brooklyn-bred music that soothes the soul.” Burgos’ music spans genres from Nu Funk to R&B soul and evokes musical themes similar to artists in these genres, from Marvin Gaye and Lauryn Hill to Vulfpeck. Burgos’ artistry is carefully articulated, reflecting everywhere from his music to visuals. His artistic style is present in various cover art photos, music videos, and vinyl record sales, promoting his take on the 1970s funk aesthetic while embracing the modern soundscapes of Brooklyn. Now signed to LRK Records, Burgos’ talent is further propelled by his collaboration with other artists. He released his 2024 album, “All I Ever Wonder” as a full collaboration with producer Jeremy Page. Listeners are guaranteed to get lost in the music of this album as groove-worthy tracks like “Trust Issues” and “Old Man,” the latter featuring Gold Setting’s Liza Colby, features strong funk bass guitar, rhythm, and brass sections. This strong instrumentation and production from Page adds a new element to the Burgos sound, complimenting his soulful voice and passionate lyricism detailing love, heartbreak, and a retrospective reflection of success. Burgos is expanding his success with the release of singles from his upcoming album “A Long Short Story.” His newest single, “Caught Up,” released on July 1st, is a soul anthem about the power of community and joy amidst current times. The cover art fittingly includes Burgos in front of the Manhattan Bridge, a testament to his pride in the New York City community. Burgos will continue to share his soulful music and spread positivity with the release of his next single “Look At You” on August 5th, a continuing buildup to new music that listeners will not want to miss.

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