Jul 22, 2026 12:37 PM
In Memoriam: Rodney Holmes, 1966–2026
Drummer Rodney Holmes, a powerful presence behind the kit who emerged as an in-demand player on the New York scene…
Pianist Brad Mehldau will perform with his trio at Big Ears 2027 in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee.
(Photo: Courtesy Brad Mehldau)Big Ears has announced its 2027 event lineup, and passes for the April 1-4 music and art festival in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, are on sale now. Attendees can choose from a versatile lineup of more than 250 concerts, films, conversations and exhibitions across the four-day festival’s 20-plus venues. General Admission, Premier and VIP Sonic Explorer passes offer different levels of access and benefits. (To check out the various types of festival passes that are available, CLICK HERE.)
Headlining acts at Big Ears 2027 will include The Big Star Quartet, Brad Mehldau Trio, Chucho Valdés Royal Quartet, Robert Glasper, Daniel Lanois, Dinner Party (Glasper/Terrace Martin/Kamasi Washington/9th Wonder), Kronos Quartet with Peni Candra, Mavis Staples, Thundercat and Trio of Bloom. Other perfomers of note include Bob James, Chris Potter, Craig Taborn Trio, David Murray Quartet, Jakob Bro/Joe Lovano/Midori Takada, Jeff Parker ETA IVtet, Tomeka Reid, Vieux Farka Touré & Roberto Fonseca, Adam O’Farrill’s ELEPHANT, Amina Claudine Myers, Ava Mendoza & Hamid Drake, Avishai Cohen, James Brandon Lewis Quartet, Ingrid Laubrock, Ken Vandermark/Paal Nilssen-Love, Sara Serpa and Linda May Han Oh, among numerous others.
Special events and residencies of note include Bang On A Can Celebrates 40 Years, William Parker 75th Birthday Residency, Bill Frisell Residency, Vijay Iyer Residency and How Black Music Took Over the World: A Melvin Gibbs Curation, among others.
A reserved-seat, separately ticketed concert featuring Nathaniel Rateliff, Norah Jones and Gillian Welch & David Rawlings Play Grateful Dead Acoustic Reckoning will take place during the festival.
To view the full Big Ears 2027 Festival lineup, CLICK HERE. DB
A drummer’s drummer, Rodney Holmes gigged with everyone from Joe Zawinul and Carlos Santana to Steve Kimock and the Brecker Brothers.
Jul 22, 2026 12:37 PM
Drummer Rodney Holmes, a powerful presence behind the kit who emerged as an in-demand player on the New York scene…
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