You might recognise Rhiannon Giddens from the HBO series ‘Nashville’ where she played a gospel singing social worker. But that’s the least of her story. She is quite a remarkable musician from North Carolina who started off with a degree in opera at about the same time I was doing my degree in classical piano. From there she has moved around the musical globe – through Gaelic lilting, bluegrass with the Carolina Chocolate Drops, recorded classic country songs, written lots of her own, sung early jazz, and worked with an eclectic mix of incredible musicians, from Yo-Yo Ma to Tom Jones and Beyoncé, and is now one of the most well-known contemporary American folk musicians. I repeat: she is quite a remarkable musician.

I bought a couple of her albums this week and they are beautiful, interesting, full of heart and amazing musicianship, and wonderful songs. My ears are thanking me for the pleasure and each time I listen I’m inspired to practice and create.

Black american woman playing banjo and singing on stage with a blue background