Jefferson Berry & The UAC premiere their new video for “Guitar on the River” via Americana Highways, who cheer, “Against the backdrop of the Schuylkill River along the western side of Philadelphia, this song is framed in a timeless manner, as it pays homage to the intrinsically soothing functions of rivers on the human soul. Letting the creative process germinate beside a river is an empathetic practice, and Jefferson and the band draw the equation in rich and classic folk style with mandolin, guitar strings, and ‘love that dirty river / get yourself lost in a 6-string dream, playing my guitar on a river.’”
Of the video, Berry says, “Philadelphia is a city defined by two rivers, but so many rivers have inspired songs over the years. I walk down the hill with my guitar from time to time just to throw songs into the Schuylkill River and watch them float downstream. Now and then, they come home with me. Dripping. ‘Guitar on the River’ is one of those.”
Watch “Guitar on the River” here.
Jefferson Berry & The UAC weave acoustic instruments with poignant storytelling akin to Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter. At the same time, their newest offering, Born Into A Blizzard, features jazz-rock arrangements that would make Donald Fagan and Walter Becker proud. In celebration of the album's release, the band will perform select dates throughout the year, including the Philadelphia Folk Fest and an acoustic tour of Berry’s home state of California this summer.
And the press raves!
“Born Into a Blizzard is, generally, an optimistic affair with mandolin, acoustic guitar, and occasional violin melodies that occupy a space midway between a bluegrass frenzy and a slower, darker setting—balancing a healthy dose of optimistic energy without being sugary. Jefferson writes traditional folk songs with a little modern shaker and instrumental touches too, as the lyrics tell tales of coping, working to see the bright side, and just prescriptions for making it through.” – Americana Highways
“Without ever being a ‘smart ass,’ Jefferson Berry’s lyrics and stories sit alongside the likes of Steely Dan, late-era Beach Boys, and maybe even Joni Mitchell at times too; which, while heavy company, is a fair assessment, I think…” – The Rocking Magpie
Born Into A Blizzard displays the diversity that is contemporary folk music today. As with their previous releases, the songs on Born Into A Blizzard touch on themes of city living and these strange times. The indulgences of our screen time ("How Could You Think That"), the need to start over ("Leaving Santa Maria"), the homeless condition of the once-successful ("Sleeping in Public"), and the lost orientation of street people ("Sand in My Shoes") offer the songwriter’s observations of how things are these days. The album balances out, however, with fun tunes about summer days on the river ("Guitar on the River"), the way we treat our heroes ("Philly Eats Its Own"), and Jefferson’s father’s version of the day he was born ("Born on Payday"). Musically, the album is genre-defiant, with songs ranging from the samba jazz of "Thirty Miles to the Beach" to the pure folk of "This Dawn of Mine.” Jefferson Berry juxtaposes divergent styles and genres with his songwriting and storytelling to offer a refreshing take on folk music.
Jefferson continues to receive praise and win awards for his dynamic and unexpected music videos. "First Purple Light," the first-ever AI folk music video from the band’s last album, Prairie Fire, won Folk Music Video of the Year at the Jersey Shore Film Festival in 2024 and was a finalist in three categories at the California Music Video & Film Awards. Videos for songs from Born Into A Blizzard, “Guitar on the River” and “Sleeping in Public,” will be released in conjunction with the album.
Jefferson Berry & the Urban Acoustic Coalition (UAC) combine storytelling in the Urban Folk tradition with the intricacies of jam bands and roots instrumentation. Playing a variety of guitar styles, Berry’s projects bring a danceable groove and a contemporary point of view to Philadelphia’s music scene. With the release of his fourth album in five years, this reputation is spreading nationally. Berry’s lyrics are informed by his years in corporate media, followed by a dozen years teaching African American History, Economics, and Government to inner-city Philadelphia high school students. Symeer Woods (Lil Uzi Vert) and the late Rasheen Jones (Runup Rico) were among his students.
Don’t Miss Jefferson Berry Live!
March 20 – Naked Brewery – Bristol, PA
April 26 – Princeton Porch Fest – Princeton, NJ
May 28 – June 6 – California Tour
June 29 – PFS/MAC Fest – Philadelphia, PA
August 15 – MAC Stage @ Philadelphia Folk Festival – Philadelphia, PA
September 6-7 – Doylestown Arts Festival – Doylestown, PA
October 11 – Steel City – Phoenixville, PA
Find Jefferson Berry Online:
🔹 Official Website: JeffersonBerry.com
🔹 YouTube: YouTube.com/JeffersonBerry
🔹 Facebook: Facebook.com/J.Berry.UAC
🔹 Instagram: Instagram.com/Jefferson.UAC
🔹 Spotify: Jefferson Berry and the UAC
🔹 EPK: jeffersonberry.com/epks
🔹 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jeffersonberry.uac
