Announcing new EFDSS commission: Adriano Adewale and Friends - Rooted and Rising
English Folk Dance and Song Society is pleased to announce a new commission from Adriano Adewale. Rooted and Rising, a collaboration with folk and world musicians including Nancy Kerr, Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne, Kuljit Bhamra, Jenn Butterworth, Camilo Menjura and Phoebe Harty will premiere at folk festivals in summer 2026.
Brazilian virtuosic percussionist and composer of diverse and dynamic work, Adriano Adewale was born in Sao Paulo and has lived in London for over a decade. Known for his charismatic performances, and exploratory approach to music, and for his ability to create magical soundscapes from the seemingly banal, he has toured the world with a vast array of collaborators from a variety of musical genres, dance, theatre and the visual arts.
Inspired by the synergies between nature and folklore and folk music, Rooted and Rising will bring musical heritage from England, Scotland, Brazil, Haiti, Colombia, the US and the Punjab, as Adriano is joined by band of incredible musicians to present this unique musical show.
Underpinning the concept of this project is the image and meaning of trees. The ways they connect to the land they are in, how they serve the community and the different ways we interact with them, as well as the similarities they have with folk and traditional music. For Rooted and Rising, Adriano is once again working with a line-up of musicians who bring a rich and diverse tapestry of musical traditions and experiences from their own heritages.
Adriano Adewale says: “I have been collaborating with EFDSS for over ten years; the relationship has always been fantastic, and it is great to be able to be closer to the culture of the country you live in. The connection with nature, the symbolism of the trees across different cultures in the world, and in England, especially the oak tree, proved to be a great theme to invite artists who are somehow connected with folk and traditional music, to create something contemporary, and at the same time rooted and inspired in strongly built traditions. I’m really excited to be working on this project and share it with music fans this summer – and beyond.”
Folk by the Oak Festival Director Caroline Slough says “We’ve long been an admirer of Adriano Adewale, who blew us away with his standout performance as part of the AKA Trio at Folk by the Oak 2022. When we heard he was leading an exciting new collaboration of acclaimed folk and world musicians, we knew we had to get involved. And what a band line up! Joining Adriano will be Kuljit Bhamra, Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne and all time Folk by the Oak favourite Nancy Kerr – too irresistible to miss! We're proud to be supporting a project led by such an immensely talented composer and percussionist, and can’t wait to welcome Rooted and Rising to Folk by the Oak this July.”
Listings:
EFDSS Presents
Adriano Adewale and Friends: Rooted and Rising
With Nancy Kerr, Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne, Kuljit Bhamra, Jenn Butterworth, Phoebe Harty and Camilo Menjura.
Cecil Sharp House: Wednesday 8 July 2026
Tickets: cecilsharphouse.org
Folk by the Oak: Sunday 19 July 2026
Tickets: folkbytheoak.com
Sidmouth Folk Festival: Tuesday 4 August 2026, 12 noon at The Ham
Tickets: sidmouthfolkfestival.co.uk
Broadstairs Folk Week: Sunday 9 August 2026
Tickets: broadstairsfolkweek.org.uk
Shrewsbury Folk Festival: Sunday 30 August 2026
Tickets: shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk
Commissioned by the English Folk Dance and Song Society.
Supported by Folk by the Oak and the Cockayne Foundation with the Reed Foundation.
