Steve Dawson & Joachim Cooder

Steve Dawson brings decades of roots-driven musicianship to the stage. Canadian-born and Nashville-based, he first gained international recognition as half of the JUNO award-winning duo Zubot & Dawson before carving out a wide-ranging solo career. As a guitarist, producer, and recording engineer, Dawson has worked with artists such as Allison Russell, Kelly Joe Phelps, Joe Henry, Shelby Lynne, and Matt Andersen, while also building a reputation for his deeply expressive slide, lap steel, and fingerstyle guitar work. His music draws from blues, folk, country, and global roots traditions, always grounded in feel, tone, and human connection.

Joachim Cooder’s musical path has been just as adventurous. Raised on the road alongside his father, legendary guitarist Ry Cooder, Joachim began playing drums at an early age and went onto contribute to iconic recordings including Buena Vista Social Club and the Grammy-winning A Meeting by the River. Over the years he’s become a sought-after percussionist, composer, and producer, while also developing a distinctive solo voice centered around the electric mbira (a modern take on the African thumb piano), paired with layered percussion and atmospheric textures.