Independent folk-rock innovator Jefferson Berry and his ensemble The Urban Acoustic Coalition (UAC) today release Born Into A Blizzard, a daring new album that blends heartfelt storytelling with intricate acoustic and jazz-rock arrangements. American Blues Scene raves, “the album is a delight for those who like songs that tell a good story,” and John Kereiff of The Rock Doctor encourages listeners to “bask in its awesomeness.”
Born Into A Blizzard finds Berry weaving lyrical vignettes à la Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter into sonic landscapes that nod to Donald Fagan and Walter Becker. From the samba-infused grooves of “Thirty Miles to the Beach” to the pastoral folk of “This Dawn of Mine,” the album explores modern urban life—screen-addled distractions (“How Could You Think That”), the struggle for new beginnings (“Leaving Santa Maria”), and the fragile humanity of those “Sleeping in Public.” Yet, it also offers sunlit river daydreams in “Guitar on the River,” an ode whose video premiered via Americana Highways and will screen at both the Philadelphia Independent Film Festival (May 7–10) and the Black Lion Indie Film Festival (May 3–4).
To bring these songs to life on stage, Berry debuts The Jefferson Coalition at The Royal in Glenside, PA on April 24. This streamlined 3–4-piece configuration distills the UAC’s festival-sized sound into an intimate folk-rock showcase, with Theresa Ratliff’s rich vocal harmonies at the forefront, underpinned by Bud Burroughs and Uncle Mike’s steadfast instrumentation. “Theresa’s voice elevates these songs every night,” says Berry. “Bud and Mike are the anchors that let me push my arrangements into new territory.”
Tour Dates include April 24 at The Royal, Glenside, PA*; April 26 at Princeton Porch Fest, Princeton, NJ*; June 5 at The Lost Chord, Solvang, CA; June 21 at The Meet – Ernie’s Jawn, Kimberton, PA^; June 29 at Philly M.A.C. Fest in Swarthmore, PA*; July 24–25 at Falcon Ridge Folk Fest in Goshen, CT; July 26 at Small World Coffee, Princeton, NJ*; August 2 at CubiZm Cafe, Lafayette Hill, PA*; August 13–18 at the Philadelphia Folk Festival (where Berry will MC the local artist stage); August 22 at Grateful Daytrippers Family Reunion, Sellersville, PA^; September 6–7 at Doylestown Arts Festival, Doylestown, PA*; October 9–12 at FarWest FAI Conference Showcases, Vancouver, WA; and October 18 at the California Fire-Aid Benefit, Belmont, CA.
*The Jefferson Coalition performance
^Jefferson Berry & The UAC performance
Born Into A Blizzard is available now on all major streaming platforms and in physical formats via JeffersonBerry.com.
Find Jefferson Berry Online:
Official Website: https://jeffersonberry.com
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jeffersonberry.uac
EPK: https://jeffersonberry.com/epks
Spotify: Jefferson Berry and the UAC
Facebook: https://facebook.com/J.Berry.UAC
Instagram: https://instagram.com/jefferson.uac
