Muziekpublique

Derroll 100: Tribute to the legendary banjo player

Series of free afternoon concerts in November

13 October 2025

This November marks the hundredth birthday of Derroll Adams, the American folk legend who left his unmistakable mark from Portland to Antwerp. The Derroll 100 anniversary program invites audiences to immerse themselves for an entire month in the life, voice, and legacy of this charismatic troubadour.

A Life of Music and Simplicity

Derroll Adams was more than a musician, he was a storyteller with a banjo, capturing the soul of American folk in his simple yet deeply moving songs. From California’s beat scene to the Brussels World’s Fair, his journey eventually led him to Belgium, where his voice, gentle banjo sound, and quiet authenticity inspired generations of musicians.

His life was guided by truth, friendship, and musical freedom; values that still resonate a hundred years after his birth.

A Musical Journey at the MIM in Collaboration with Muziekpublique

The musical heart of Derroll 100 beats at the Musical Instruments Museum (MIM) in Brussels, which will host a series of special concerts. Each evening, diverse artists will pay tribute to Adams by interpreting his spirit in their own unique ways:

Roland Van Campenhout & Nils De Caster (5 Nov) – Icons of Belgian roots music
Rowan Rheingans (12 Nov) – Multi-instrumentalist and songwriter from the UK
Cahalen Morrison (19 Nov) – American troubadour bridging tradition and innovation
Malick Pathé Sow & Bao Sissoko (26 Nov) – Senegalese masters of strings and rhythm

Expect evenings filled with warmth, cross-cultural encounters, and the pure soul of folk, just as Derroll himself lived it.

Exhibitions in Brussels and Antwerp

Alongside the concerts, Derroll 100 presents two exhibitions in Brussels (MIM) and Antwerp (Museum Vleeshuis). These exhibitions bring Adams’ life story, philosophy, and enduring influence to life through rare archival materials, generously shared for the occasion by his widow, Danny Levy. They offer an intimate look at the man behind the music, the traveler, the friend, the mentor.

A Collaboration Across Regions and Generations

The program is an initiative of Merodefestival, in collaboration with Awa vzw, Muziekpublique, Muziekclub ’t Ey, Museum Vleeshuis, and the MIM. Together, they present a tribute worthy of Derroll Adams: sincere, boundary-crossing, and deeply rooted in musical tradition.

For those who love folk, storytelling, and genuine warmth, Derroll 100 is not to be missed. Join us at the MIM this November and experience how the gentle banjo sound of Derroll Adams still echoes in today’s folk music.