Jumping Into Roots: A Deep Dive into the Down County Jump Festival

If you’ve ever wondered what it might feel like to time-travel through the living sounds of heritage music—from polyphonic mountain songs to Cajun waltzes, Mexican string-driven rhythms, and Appalachian ballads—The Down County Jump Festival is your portal. Now in its third year, the festival is hitting its stride with a uniquely curated lineup of “handmade heritage music” and an atmosphere that bridges the past and present in a rustic barn nestled deep in the Berkshires.

Alex Harvey

Held at the Race Brook Lodge in Sheffield, Massachusetts, the Jump Festival was born in the wake of the Oldtone Roots Music Festival’s hiatus in 2023. Festival co-founder Alex Harvey, a recent transplant to the area at the time, rallied local musical minds Matt Downing and Kip Beacco—both former Oldtone programmers—to bring a new kind of gathering to life. I connected with Harvey over Zoom recently to hear his fascinating and in-depth take on the Jump Festival.

“I like to call it ‘handmade heritage music,’” Harvey explains. “To me, that means music rooted in folk traditions, but broader than just the word ‘folk.’ It’s music that connects you to a place, a tradition. It’s authentic—it’s vernacular. That’s what we’re trying to share.”

The Vibe: Handmade, Local, and Deeply Rooted

Harvey emphasizes that the goal isn’t nostalgia, but authenticity and connection. Jump isn’t just about the music; it’s about creating a space where culture, place, and people converge.

“Someone once said, ‘Paint a picture of your village, and you paint a picture of the world.’ That’s what these artists do. Their sounds are so specific and rooted that they connect with everyone,” Harvey says.

This year, the Jump expands again—both in scope and spirit—with a two-day lineup starting Friday evening and culminating in an all-night jam session that can last until sunrise.


Friday Night: Voices, Vaudeville, and a Cajun Legend

7:00 p.m. — Driftwood Chorus
Kicking things off is Driftwood Chorus, led by Eva Salina, a powerhouse in Balkan music. She’ll conduct a 40-person village choir performing polyphonic mountain songs from Eastern Europe—a transcendent, immersive sonic experience. “She sings in Albanian, Croatian, Roma, Hungarian, Ukrainian—it’s wild,” says Harvey. “She’s bringing real village energy to our BarnSpace.”

Driftwood Chorus

8:00 p.m. — Flophouse Follies
Harvey himself hits the stage next with Flophouse Follies, a ragtime-theatrical throwback featuring Kip Beacco and performance artist Heather Fisch. “It’s pre-jazz, novelty music from the 1890s. Our idea was: what music would’ve been playing on the Titanic as it sank? It’s tragicomic, it’s silly, it fits the times,” he laughs.

9:00 p.m. — Jesse Lége
The night closes with a Louisiana legend, Jesse Lége, whose raw, ancient Cajun vocals will rattle the barn walls. “He just played Swamp in the City in New York. He’s got this elemental voice that just grabs you. People will get it the moment they hear him,” Harvey promises.

Jesse Lége
Jesse Lége

Saturday: From Appalachian to Balkan to Brass

2:00 p.m. — Moonshine Holler
Saturday begins with Moonshine Holler, led by Paula Bradley and Pete Killeen, stalwarts of the Hudson Valley’s old-time scene.“Paula and her late husband Bill Dilloff were legends in this space. She carries that torch now with Pete, and I couldn’t be more excited to have them open,” Harvey shares.

Moonshine Holler

3:00 p.m. — The Lucky 5
Next is The Lucky 5, a swingin’ jazz outfit with deep regional roots. Expect 1920s Manouche-style jazz and wild improvisation.

4:00 p.m. — Tamar Korn & Mamie Minch
A pairing of opposites, Tamar Korn brings vintage vocal finesse while Mamie Minch lays down gritty Piedmont blues guitar. “It’s like Ma Rainey meets Annette Hanshaw. They blend early 20th-century blues and jazz in a way that’s haunting and raw.”

5:00 p.m. — Hinterlands
Then comes Hinterlands, a duo you have to hear to believe. Accordionist Matt Schreiber and violinist Ben Russell explore a heady mix of Romani traditions, New Orleans jazz, and Appalachian drones. “It’s partially improvised, partially composed—a real musical conversation between two friends. You can feel that intimacy,” Harvey says.

6:00 p.m. — Trischka, Molsky & Daves
A seismic trio of American roots: Tony Trischka, Bruce Molsky, and Michael Daves take the stage in a seated main stage set bridging bluegrass and old-time traditions.“Tony taught Béla Fleck. Michael Daves is a vocal powerhouse. Bruce Molsky is old-time royalty. They bring a kind of musical diplomacy—blending traditions that usually don’t share a stage,” Harvey explains.


Saturday Night: Let the Dancing Begin

7:00 p.m. — Slowey and The Boats
The chairs are swept away and the dancing begins with Slowey and The Boats, purveyors of Hapa Haole Hawaiian swing-jazz, with Isaac Stanford’s steel guitar stealing the spotlight.

8:00 p.m. — Pulso de Barro
A Jump favorite, Pulso de Barro is back with their electric Son Jarocho sound—traditional Mexican music that pulses with rhythm, poetry, and polyrhythmic strings. “It’s ancient Mexican bluegrass. Joyous, earthy, impossible not to move to,” says Harvey.

9:00 p.m. — Dingonek Brass
Ending the night with a literal blast is Dingonek Brass, who mash up Ethiopian jazz, Balkan brass, and psychedelic rock, often weaving through the crowd to break down the performer-audience barrier. “They bring the house down. It’s the perfect capstone before our jam,” Harvey adds.

Dingonek Brass
Dingonek Brass Band

Late-Night Jam

The Jump’s final act isn’t on the schedule: a wild, open jam session starting around midnight and often stretching to dawn. “This is where musicians let loose. Last year we went until 7 a.m.,” Harvey says. “It’s raw and beautiful—people playing not for the stage, but for each other.”


If You Go:

  • Dates: Friday & Saturday in June 13 & 14
  • Location: Race Brook Lodge, 864 Undermountain Road, Sheffield, MA 01257
  • Lodging: Discounts available for festivalgoers, including overflow lodging nearby
  • Tickets: Get tickets here.
  • Bring: Dancing shoes, a curious ear, and maybe a blanket for the late-night jam.

Kids under 12 get in free, and Saturday features Roger the Jester, a kid-friendly performer with genius clown energy. There’s also a new porch stage featuring local solo acts, and plenty of good eats from a Ukrainian food truck and Best Damn Espresso.

Jump Festival isn’t just a concert—it’s a community. It’s not just nostalgia—it’s rooted revival. Whether you come for the Cajun waltzes or the Balkan brass, there’s one guarantee: you’ll leave feeling more connected—to the music, to the place, and to the people who keep these traditions alive.


– Mark Greenlaw

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