Sunset Wednesdays: Jake Blount

Jake Blount is an award-winning scholar and performer of Black folk music based in Providence, RI. Both a researcher and a practitioner, Blount delves into and sources from the archives of historic Black folk music, charting an unprecedented, Afrofuturist path through his findings. In his hands, the banjo, fiddle, electric guitar, and synthesizer become ceremonial objects used to channel the insurgent creativity of his forebears. From transfixing solo sets to full-band festival appearances complete with crowd-surfing and ecstatic chants, Blount’s performances seamlessly merge centuries-old traditional songs with the trappings and techniques of modern Black genres. Drawing from the past and looking into the future, Blount fashions an Afrofuturist folklore that disintegrates the boundaries between acoustic and electric, artist and medium, and ancestor and progeny. Blount has performed at Carnegie Hall, Newport Folk Festival, and NPR’s Tiny Desk. He has been awarded the Steve Martin Banjo prize and two International Folk Music Awards. Blount is currently pursuing a PhD in Musicology and Ethnomusicology from Brown University and recently served as a musical consultant on the Oscar winning film Sinners (2025).  

Sunset Wednesdays take place on the Great Lawn. Visitors may bring folding chairs and blankets. Picnicking is permitted on the Great Lawn beginning at 4PM. Glyndor Gallery, The Café and Shop are open until 7:30PM.  

Reservations are not required for the Great Lawn. In the event of inclement weather, this program will move indoors where capacity is limited. Pre-registered Rain or Shine tickets receive priority seating indoors and must be shown at the Front Gate at time of admission. Same-day, indoor tickets based on availability.   

Premium admission is in effect from 4PM to 8PM each Sunset Wednesday. Wave Hill Member-for-a-Day and Member Guest passes are accepted these evenings. All other discount passes will not be accepted starting at 4PM.   

The Great Lawn is a flat grassy area accessible via flat, paved paths. 

Questions? Please email us at information@wavehill.org or call 718.549.3200 x251.