Freight & Salvage proudly presents the inaugural DeFord Bailey Legacy Festival, commemorating the harmonica virtuoso’s remarkable contributions to country music and beyond.

Curated by Grammy® award-winning artist Dom Flemons and Freight Artistic Director Peter Williams, this 3-day festival includes talks, workshops, interviews, free community events, and evening concerts. In addition, the Freight has partnered with the Berkeley Public Library to present Westward Bound, an exhibit of art and craft highlighting African-American country music history and country lore, curated by Vania Kinard.

Supported, in part, by California Humanities, the National Endowment for the Arts, and a Civic Arts Grant from the City of Berkeley.

Presented in partnership with KALW Music 91.7 FM

Learn more about the event on our DeFord Bailey Legacy Festival page.

Save with a DeFord Bailey Legacy Festival 3-Day Pass!

Miko Marks

Genre: Country, Americana

Miko Marks is a trailblazing country music singer-songwriter whose journey reflects resilience and passion. Born in Flint, Michigan, and now based in Oakland, California, Miko blends country, blues, southern rock, and gospel into a soulful and genre-defying sound. Her powerful voice and heartfelt lyrics resonate with themes of freedom, authenticity, and empowerment. Miko's latest album, Feel Like Going Home, showcases her profound storytelling and commitment to breaking barriers in the country music industry. Named Best New Country Artist at the 2006 New Music Weekly Awards, Miko has captivated audiences with her performances, including a standing ovation at the Grand Ole Opry. Don't miss the chance to experience Miko Marks live, where her music promises to inspire and uplift.

True Blues with Corey Harris & Cedric Watson

Genre: Blues, Creole, Zydeco

Corey Harris, a guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter from Denver, Colorado, is renowned for his innovative fusion of blues with reggae, soul, rock, and West African music. Beginning his career as a street singer in New Orleans, Harris's explorations led him to the southern U.S. and Cameroon, shaping his unique style. Known for albums like Between Midnight and Day (1995) and Mississippi to Mali (2003), he honors traditional blues while integrating diverse influences. Featured in Martin Scorsese's documentary "Feel Like Going Home" (2003), Harris's contributions earned him a MacArthur Fellowship in 2007. His recent work, Insurrection Blues (2021), reflects on contemporary issues while staying true to his roots.

Cedric Watson, a Grammy-nominated fiddler, singer, and accordionist from San Felipe, Texas, is a prominent figure in Cajun, Creole, and Zydeco music. Immersing himself in the French songs of Southwest Louisiana, Watson quickly became integral to the Lafayette music scene. He has collaborated with artists like Dexter Ardoin and the Pine Leaf Boys and leads his band, Bijou Creole, which blends French and Spanish contra dance with African rhythms. Watson's albums, such as L'Esprit Creole (2009) and Le Troubadour Creole (2013), showcase his modern take on Creole sounds. His dynamic performances and dedication to preserving Creole music have made him a vital cultural ambassador.

Dom Flemons

Genre: American Roots, Folk, Blues, Country

Known as "The American Songster®," Dom Flemons is a versatile musician whose repertoire spans over a century of American roots music, including country, folk, bluegrass, Americana, and blues. Based in the Chicago area, he is a multi-instrumentalist, historian, actor, and podcaster. A founding member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Flemons has earned a GRAMMY Award and multiple nominations. His latest album, "Traveling Wildfire," was released on Smithsonian Folkways and includes original songs and detailed liner notes. Flemons recently narrated the documentary series “The Real Wild West” on CuriosityStream, bringing the diverse stories of American pioneers to life. With a deep commitment to cultural preservation, Flemons continues to explore and celebrate the rich tapestry of American music.