The 1995 winner of the Kerrville Folk Festival 'New Folk Emerging Songwriter' award, Joel Rafael and his band make folk music for the 21st century. Considered to be San Diego's premier acoustic band, they have successfully blended contemporary folk music with heartfelt songwriting and a world beat. With Rafael's daughter, Jamaica, on violin and viola, Carl Johnson on acoustic lead guitar, and Jeff Berkley on ethno-percussion, the band's collective musical energy builds bridges across generations.