Blackness is an integral part of the development of early American music, but in the past its presence has been obscured or even denied. Many still consider Black folks playing the banjo and fiddling as anomalies, rather than musicians continuing their own generations-old cultural traditions.

The Fort Worth African American Roots Music Festival (FWAAMFest) is doing its part to correct the narrative by highlighting the central role of blackness in American roots music such as old time, bluegrass, jug band, folk, and blues. This nonprofit festival brings critically-acclaimed artists and scholars from across North America together to lift up the Black reclamation and innovation of roots music traditions, and garner interest among the community to take part. FWAAMFest emphasizes that blackness and Black music are not monoliths.

FWAAMFest is the only major city festival of its kind that is both Black-led and centered around Black artists, aiming to broaden the arts scene in Fort Worth and the region, putting it on the map as an event where traditional music and culture lovers across North America and local community members can engage in these important parts of American history and culture.

Fort Worth African American Roots Music Festival

By Decolonizing the Music Room

Fort Worth African American Roots Music Festival

Black Music is American Music!

Team Members