Last year I paid my first visit to the Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Covering its enlightened sprawl for NPR Music, I pronounced the fest "a locus of expedition, defined more by a go-anywhere ethos than by any style or genre allegiance."

Mary Halvorson at the 2018 Big Ears Festival

I’m thrilled that I will be returning to the festival this year — taking in a universe of sound, reporting a future episode of Jazz Night in America, and moderating a panel discussion about ECM Records at 50.

As if that weren’t enough, I’ll be presenting a festival event tied to Playing Changes, with three special guests: guitarist Mary Halvorson, cellist Tomeka Reid, bassist Larry Grenadier.

I’ll be engaging in conversation with these three amazing artists, who will also perform as a trio for the first time. If you’re Knoxville-bound, I hope you’ll join us!