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Black Roots Music

Vienna Carroll & The Folk at The Bitter End

Friday, February 20, 2026,
6:30 – 8:00 pm,
The Bitter End,
147 Bleeker St., Greenwich Village, NYC • Map

Vienna Carroll and The Folk

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb 5, 2026

Black History Month Love Experience: Vienna Carroll & The Folk Return to The Bitter End

Friday, February 20, 2026 | 6:30 PM

Joyous, Genre-Bending Celebration of Funky Black Folk music and storytelling

New York, NY — Vienna Carroll & The Folk return to the legendary Bitter End on Friday, February 20, 2026 at 6:30 PM, to serve up a toe-tapping good time with a vintage gospel-funk groove in the spirit of Sister Rosetta Tharpe.

Backed by an all-star lineup of veteran musicians, Carroll delivers a joyful blend of blues, gospel, funk, and folk with politically-charged storytelling and an electrifying stage presence. Her music is deeply rooted in Black history while remaining boldly relevant and forward-looking.

The Folk features:

  • Keith Johnston (Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, Jon Hendricks) – guitar
  • Stanley Banks (George Benson) – bass
  • Washboard XT / Newman Taylor Baker (Matthew Shipp, McCoy Tyner, Henry Grimes) – washboard
  • Special guest David Joyce – trumpet

As New York Music Daily notes, Carroll is known for “politically-charged reinventions of classic blues and gospel themes,” while Neon Jazz host Joe Dimino calls her a “Harlem-based vocal powerhouse.”

🎟️ Tickets: $20, available now at bitterend.com
Seating is limited; early arrival is encouraged.

Venue:
The Bitter End
147 Bleecker Street
New York, NY

Event Details:
Friday, February 20, 2026
6:30 PM | Doors open at 6:00 PM

PRESS RELEASE

Media & Press Inquiries:
viennacarrollmusic@gmail.com | 646-763-4587

Press Kit:

viennacarrollmusic.com/press-kit

60 second clip of This Train Is Bound For Glory

https://youtu.be/hk5xZ01LVCk Watch the previous show!

See Us Perform at The Metropolitan Museum of Art!

Join Vienna Carroll & The Folk for an evening of Seneca Village-era Afro-Future Roots music.

February 24 & 25, 2023,
6 – 8:30 pm (come early, there will be lines),
Petrie Court Cafe, Metropolitan Museum of Art,
1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028.

With proof of a New York State residency (NY driver’s license/ID card; IDNYC; current bill or statement with a NY address, NY student ID, NY library card) any sized donation. Read more.

Come on out and sing Afro-Future Roots music with us: the classic Spirituals and work songs you know and love, through a modern lens. Celebrate your pride at Black History Month.

Vienna Carroll and The Folk at the Met!
Vienna Carroll and The Folk
Vienna Carroll and The Folks

Friday, June 7th, see Vienna Carroll & Keith Johnston at the American Folk Art Museum

Come out to Free Music Friday at the American Folk Art Museum.
Vienna and Keith will be performing from 5:30 – 7:30 pm.

Vienna Carroll and Keith Johnston at the American Folk Art MuseumThe address is 2 Lincoln Square (66th and Broadway). 1 train to 66th St. stop. See map.

Support the proceedings with a donation-based cash wine bar. Admission is always free.

Jalopy Theatre Presents at the American Folk Art Museum: Vienna Carroll & Keith Johnston.
Vienna Carroll sings and tells the stories of Black Roots Music — the spirituals, work songs, prison blues, and sea shanties of her ancestors. This music was integral to their survival and well-being and carries their history in it. Vienna also highlights improvised elements of this music in today’s 21st-century soundscape. As is traditional, audiences are invited to join in singing. Read more.

Postcrypt Coffee House

 

We’re so happy to be appearing at the Postcrypt Coffee House which has been “Folking Around Since 1964.”  See you there!  Saturday Feb 24, 10:30 pm. Alfred Lerner Hall, Columbia University 2920 Broadway 10027

Jazz – America’s Classic Music

This month I’m celebrating America’s classic music – Jazz – with a newly refurbished jazz page!  I am blessed an honored to be  joined by Michael Howell and Bruce Edwards on guitar in bringing you some of the standard jazz tunes by Duke Ellington, Cole Porter and others.  I hope you enjoy them and thanks for listening.