BIO

Jessica Bellaire is a banjo player, guitarist, singer, and dancer with a deep love for old-time music and the communities that keep it alive. She's drawn to the stories behind the tunes and seeks out local musicians wherever she goes, learning from players who carry on regional traditions.

​

Jessica came to old-time music through a friend and her local contra dance scene. She jumped in completely, and it stuck. These days she travels to festivals around the country, spending time learning tunes, playing with other musicians, and dancing. She's performed with various groups at the Will McLean Music Festival, the Florida Folk Festival, and venues throughout the Southeast, and in 2024 she won the Florida Banjo Championship.

​

For Jessica, old-time music is about connection—to the past, to place, and to the people who gather to play and dance. Whether she's on stage, in a jam circle, or on someone's front porch, she's there for the music and the community that comes with it.