Cris Jacobs came back to roots music the way a lot of people come back to the things that matter — not gracefully, but out of necessity. After struggling with depression and questioning his own voice, the Baltimore singer-songwriter returned to the string band traditions he grew up on. The record that came out the other side, One of These Days, is his first album in five years: produced by Dobro legend Jerry Douglas, recorded live with The Infamous Stringdusters as his core band, and shaped by guest appearances from Billy Strings, Sam Bush, Lee Ann Womack, the McCrary Sisters, and Lindsay Lou. That kind of collaborator list doesn’t happen by accident.
About the Show
Jacobs brings his full band to Caffe Lena on Saturday, September 12, for a show in the venue’s Bright Series. One of These Days (released April 26, 2024) was tracked live, all 11 songs, in sessions that Glide Magazine described as “a hootenanny”: spontaneous, ensemble-driven, built around the kind of playing that requires trust between musicians. DC Music Review wrote that the listening experience feels like “coming home after a long journey away,” citing Jacobs’ “remarkable songwriting skills, soulful vocals, and masterful guitar work.”
The album moves through Baltimore street life, Eastern Shore working-class stories, and gambling narratives before turning inward on its closing track, where Jacobs steps back from the characters he writes so well and examines his own story. He has described his foundation plainly: “I’ve always found so much comfort in roots music — in string band music.” That foundation has drawn sustained attention from NPR, Rolling Stone, and Paste over several years, and landed him on bills with Sturgill Simpson and Steve Winwood. A 2017 collaboration with Ivan Neville expanded his reach further.
Venue & Logistics
Caffe Lena is a 110-capacity folk club and listening room at 47 Phila Street in Saratoga Springs — a fitting room for an artist whose craft runs on close attention. This show is part of the venue’s Bright Series programming in the capital region. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.; the show runs through 10:00 p.m.
Tickets
Tickets are $32.53 general admission, $29.28 for Caffe Lena members, and $16.27 for children and students (all prices inclusive of fees). For those unable to attend in person, Caffe Lena TV offers a live stream for $5, with proceeds going directly to the artist. Caffe Lena prohibits resale above face value. Buy tickets