Rooted and Rising is a new musical show commissioned by the English Folk Dance and Song Society from Adriano Adewale in collaboration with folk and world musicians including Nancy Kerr, Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne, Kuljit Bhamra
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.
EFDSS' Folk Discovery commissions seek to re-define English folk music and dance for the 21st century by supporting a greater diversity of artists to explore and work with folk. Through bursaries, rehearsal space, and training/support, we amplify new voices and foster a new, more diverse folk scene suited to our multicultural, 21st-century landscape.
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 musicians including Nancy Kerr, Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne and Kuljit Bhamra 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.”
Upcoming performances:
Folk by the Oak: Sunday 19 July 2026
Tickets: folkbytheoak.com
Sidmouth Folk Festival: Friday 31 July – Friday 7 August 2026
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 and by individual donors to our Big Give Christmas Challenge 2023, to foster fresh interpretations of folk music and dance.
