Songs for Tender Hearts in Troubled Times

about dusky waters

Dusky Waters is the nom de plume of contemporary Americana songwriter and musician Jenn Jeffers, an artist whose work bridges the rich musical traditions of the South with a modern, genre-defying sound. As the Executive Director and Co-Founder of BlackAmericana Fest, a New Orleans-based music festival celebrating Black artists in Americana, Folk, and Country music, she is at the forefront of fostering a more inclusive roots music landscape.

Dusky Waters is an expression of Jeffers’ affinity for the magic of twilight hours and the ever-present Mississippi River, which has shaped her journey from her childhood on the banks of its tributary in Little Rock, Arkansas, to her early twenties in the Delta of northern Louisiana, to her current home in New Orleans. Her music mirrors this passage, fusing the gospel, folk, and soul traditions of the region with contemporary pop melodies and arrangements.

Her evocative songwriting and compelling live performances have earned critical acclaim, with audiences and press lauding her ability to craft songs that are both deeply personal and universally resonant. Her music has been described as “beautifully crafted” and “sublime,” elevating her songwriting craft and “clarion call vocals.” Known for high-energy performances that consistently turn crowds into “a sea of movement,” Dusky Waters brings an electrifying presence to the stage. With soulful lyricism, intricate banjo and guitar licks, and a sound that ebbs and flows like the Mississippi itself, Dusky Waters reimagines Americana through a fresh, dynamic lens. Her music is a manifestation of the magic and mourning of the bayou state and an uplifting testament to the power of self-actualization—honoring tradition while forging a new path that reflects the ever-evolving spirit of the South.

Dusky Waters performs with Analiese De Saw (viola, vocals), Conner McCready (percussion), Hannah Kreiger-Benson (piano, organ), and Nelson Williams (upright bass).